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WESLEY CHAPEL, FL – It’s never easy trying to replace your program’s all-time leading passer that goes on to play at the Bowl Championship Series level.

That’s the dilemma Wiregrass Ranch High School is facing this off-season, which has been a bit of an up and down one for the Bulls. Rocco Becht, who quarterbacked the Bulls from 2019-2021, now is playing football on the collegiate level at Iowa State and has left a big void under center for Wiregrass Ranch.

Enter Elijah Brown, who attempted one pass last season, as the incumbent starter to Becht. Brown wasn’t the starter in the spring football game for Wiregrass Ranch, though. Brendyn Colella won the starting gig but has since transferred out to Zephyrhills. The Bulls also have lost 4-star wide receiver Izaiah Williams to transfer, as he’s now at Carrollwood Day School.

That leaves Ohio State commitment Bryson Rodgers as the highlighted player returning for the Bulls and for good reason. Rodgers was the team’s top receiver in 2021, catching 42 passes for 645 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. Fellow senior Elijah Westbrooks looks to be a receiver that will need to step up, as he has looked good in off-season 7-on-7’s.

Another skill player that will be expected to step up around Brown on offense is running back Kenneth Walker. Walker was the team’s No. 2 rusher in 2021, rushing for 481 yards on 72 carries, scoring seven times.

The offensive line losses have been some of the biggest hits the Bulls have taken, with Tucker Schwab, Logan Ridolph and Cristian Loaiza leaving due to graduation. Now head coach Mark Kantor and his staff have re-tooled the line and the Bulls held their own when they faced Berkeley Prep in the spring. Though Wiregrass Ranch lost narrowly, 14-9, it was a good sign that the Bulls shouldn’t be dropping off too far.

Playing in a new district of Class 4-Suburban, District 6 and they’ll be playing teams like rival Mitchell, Springstead, Sunlake and Land O’ Lakes. The Bulls along with the Mustangs are the two teams expected to be atop the district, as Wiregrass Ranch has been placed in districts in the past with programs like Plant, Tampa Bay Tech and Wharton. Kantor’s group has gone through some adversity this summer, but make no doubt about it, this team is still very talented top to bottom.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.