By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor 

At 5 feet 11 inches and a solid 175 pounds, Lake Travis defensive back Michael Streuling can muscle most receivers. 

But when he found himself on an island against Westlake’s Mike Walker two weeks ago, Streuling found himself at a big disadvantage.

Literally.

 

The 6-2, 190-pound Walker split out wide on a second-and-6 from the Cavaliers’ 16-yard line, signaled to the side judge and stared down at Streuling. At the snap, Walker blew through an attempted jam and got a step on the defensive back. Streuling recovered and trailed Walker by just half a step, but Walker gave a little nudge on a cut to the corner to get a smidgeon of separation and then turned for the ball. Streuling played the route perfectly and cut underneath Walker, but Chap quarterback Tanner Price understood his target. He purposely fired the ball high and to the outside, above Streuling and toward the front pylon. Walker leaped up, stabbed the ball out of the air and crossed the goal line for a touchdown.

In that one play, the Westlake senior epitomized the problems big receivers can give defensive backs. Walker used his muscle to fight through a jam, his bulk to create separation and his size to go up in the air for the ball. 

And Walker’s not alone. An ever-growing number of high school wide receivers come in extra-large packages, and that trend shouldn’t slow anytime soon, says Westlake coach Derek Long.

“You’ve seen it in the pros for a while now, and you’ve seen it in college for the past six or seven years,” he says. “Now, you see it at high school. There are big receivers everywhere.”

Especially in District 25-5A. From Austin High to Bowie out to Bastrop, almost every team in the district features a wideout that stands at least 6-2. Such size on the outside creates matchup nightmares for the district’s defensive backs, and it creates plenty of anxious moments for defensive coaches.

“Defensive backs have gotten real physical, and you have to be physical right back,” Walker says. “You just can’t rely on your routes. You have to get in their face and use your hands and your body to get some space. You have to take advantage of that size.”

Walker’s taken plenty of advantage of his ability through the first two games of the season with seven catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Last year, Walker had just 13 catches for 266 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games.

“It’s nice to have a quarterback who can get the ball downfield,” he says. “Tanner can put the ball on the money.”

Two other District 25-5A receivers who stand at least 6-2 also lead their respective teams in receptions, including Austin High’s Emory Blake and Bowie’s DeAndre Perry.  

Such a stat isn’t a coincidence, says Westlake’s quarterback.

“Size definitely helps,” Price says. “A receiver like Mike stands out, and you can see him over the offensive line. That size really helps in the red zone, especially on fades. He can go up and get the ball.”

Of course, a fleet of determined defensive backs remains devoted to stopping such plays. Westlake safety Michael Perkins, a senior who earned all-district honors a year ago, says the best method to covering big wideouts remains a simple one.

“No one likes to be smacked in the mouth,” he says. “You have to be physical with these guys.”

Technique remains pivotal, according to the 5-9, 175-pound Perkins. He says that when he comes in at an angle to hit a receiver going up for the ball, he tries to “somersault him and flip him over.”

But when Perkins finds himself in one-on-one against a taller receiver, he plays the ball.

“I wait until he’s coming down, then I try and swat it away,” he says. “If you can’t beat the guy to the ball, you have to make sure that he can’t put the ball away.”

Perkins’ coach agrees with that technique.

“You have to fight tooth and nail,” says Long, a 6-1 collegiate cornerback who played for the Air Force Academy and Baylor University. “You have to stay right up on them and attack the ball, especially if you’re shorter than the receiver.”

Perkins says that playing against Walker each practice has prepped him for the upcoming district schedule. He faced receivers such as Blake and Perry last season, and he understands the big-play potential that each bring on every snap.

“Other than Mike, who’s had a phenomenal year so far, Blake is the best receiver in the district,” Perkins says. “You have to respect him because of his speed and ability to go up for the ball. He’s taller than any of our DBs, but you just can’t let him come down with the ball.”

Which is easier said than done. Just ask Lake Travis’ Michael Streuling.

 

Sizing up the district’s best

Several of District 25-5A’s big wide receivers have vaulted to the top of the district’s statistical leaders. Here’s a glance at how 

some of them stack up.

Mike Walker, Westlake: The 6-2, 190-pound senior has seven catches for 151 yards and two TDs in two games.

Emory Blake, Austin High: The 6-2, 195-pound senior (right), one of the top uncommitted recruits in Texas, has 18 catches for 388 yards and six TDs in three games.

DeAndre Perry, Bowie: The 6-3, 210-pound junior, who also excels at basketball, has 10 catches for 169 yards and two TDs in two games.

Alston Nuckols, Austin High: The 6-3, 185-pound senior, all-district in football and basketball in 2007, has 10 catches for 169 yards and two TDs in three games.