Wichita Wild  

Posted on Sat, May. 03, 2008

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Akpan brings the pain for Wild

BY KOLLEN LONG

The Wichita Eagle

As Wichita Wild defensive coordinator Mike McCoy tells it, Ene Akpan has a great smile, winning personality, and he even works with kids as part of his job.

The boy next door.

"But he puts on that football helmet," McCoy said, "and something changes."

Akpan turns nasty.

A muscular 6-foot-1, 205 pounder, Akpan is a punishing force from the strong safety position.

"He flies around back there; and he's just a ferocious, ferocious hitter," McCoy said.

While the Wild is 1-6 entering tonight's game at the Omaha Beef (6-2), the team's defense has been solid in most games. McCoy, also the team's general manager, credits his secondary.

Free safety Orlandus Williams, who has a team-high three interceptions and a fumble recovery for a touchdown, is the unquestioned leader of the group.

Akpan, a 2002 graduate of Wichita South, is the "enforcer," as McCoy likes to say.

Akpan, McPherson College's defensive MVP after the 2006 season, said he works out four times a week, which pays off when he lines up a ballcarrier or wide receiver for a hit.

"I mean, I kind of stay in the weight room a lot, so I need to use it for something," he said, chuckling. "The crowd likes to see a big boom, and I like to be a crowd pleaser."

Akpan is second to linebacker Earl Henry in tackles with 25, and he has chipped in a sack and an interception. He's also the key player in the team's defensive scheme known as Three Robber.

In the alignment, Akpan covers the other team's top receiver -- a tough assignment since he has to have the strength to jam the wideout at the line of scrimmage or the speed to trail him if he's in motion.

Akpan, a peer educator at Levy Special Education Center, said he delights in taking on the opponent's best receiver.

"I view it as a challenge," he said. "I like to put things on my shoulders. If we win and go home with a victory, I did my job. If we lose, it weighs on me a lot."

Kollen Long covers the Wild. Reach him at klong@wichitaeagle.com.