Stepping in for Billy Ray McCrary, one of the best quarterback in the district, seems like a lot to handle. But quarterback Wesley Geisler has it under control.
After McCrary injured his thumb during the Leander game, he moved back to a running back position, leaving Geisler as the only quarterback for the team.
“There is a lot on my shoulders,” Geisler said. “Having to step into a spot Billy was doing so well in is a lot. I just do what my coaches coached me to do, and focus on the little things.”
Going from wide receiver to starting quarterback was a challenge for Geisler. Having to bounce around instead of being at a set position consistently is hard, but the senior has handled the adversity well.
“Overall, I think he’s overcome a lot of obstacles in this process,” head coach Joshua Mann said. “He was competing for a quarterback spot, but he picked up the slack and went out for wide receiver. He played absolutely great force, but now he’s having to come back.”
Mann has watched Geisler step into the leadership role and embrace it.
“When it’s your final year to play, there’s a sense of urgency that you bring, and I think Wes really brings that,” Mann said. “Now that he’s taking the starting role because of the injury to Billy’s hand, it just brings the competitive actions that a senior would bring at that position.”
At quarterback, the senior has passed for 203 yards and two touchdowns. As a receiver, he’s caught two touchdown passes and accumulated 218 yards, his longest reception for 60 yards. He also has 76 carries for 298 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
“I feel as if I’ve played as well as people would like me to, but that I can still improve as the season continues,” Geisler said.
Even with his injury, McCrary has slowly started coming back in for snaps. In the Cedar Park and Vandegrift games, he switched back and forth from quarterback to running back, in the Vista Ridge game, he primarily played quarterback.
“I guess it takes pressure off knowing that Wes can take over and control the offense and not hurt the team,” McCrary said. “He has stepped up as a leader in that position, and we work good together.”
This season, McCrary has a total of 823 rushing yards, 28 receiving and 583 passing. He’s also rushed for 14 touchdowns and passed for six more.
“The two of them are both very talented,” running back AJ Badour said. “When Billy got hurt a few weeks ago, I was proud of Wes for taking over and leading us, and helping us win games. Now that we are in playoffs, that’s an accomplishment in itself.”
With a 4-2 district finish and 7-3 overall record, the Raiders finished third in district and made the playoffs for the second year in a row. They take on LBJ Thursday at Bible Stadium at 7 p.m.
“We’re looking forward to competing at a higher level, and challenging our talent at a higher level,” Geisler said. “And I’ll also be extending my senior season.” 
