Re: Highschool Football 2013
Posted by:
Coach
()
Date: November 19, 2013 02:47PM
"Thanks Rydell for the post. As a CVille fan it pains me but have to give props to Westfield coaching. This year in fact as others have posted they are trying some new things like the wildcat option to get the ball more in the hands of their athletes like Devon Burns, etc.
Just a few things with Westfield this year. Of course they have quality athletes like Burns, Thrasher W, and etc. But you hit it there has been just an explosion of similar or better talent at CVille and Braddock. But there is another thing. I do not see the same overall depth and quality of talent at Westfield this year and coming up as I have seen in the past. 2011 team was very good just got beat by 3 points by a CVille team on a mission to finally beat Westfield and fulfill its own promise. Last year, Oakton just got on a roll and while Westfield was very good not quite as good as 2011 edition. This year they are a very good team, cannot take anything away but they are not a great (CVille) or near great (Lake Braddock) team. We will see what adjustments they make this year and next....
As I said in a post last night to a distraught Oakton fan, history has shown it is hard to keep Concorde teams down for long....and Westfield is not that far down anyway...."
Actually the defense at Westfield is far better than last years, primarily the front 7 or 8 depending on what look they are in. The D line is a little bigger than last years, little more physical. The big difference is the play of the MLB's. As previously posted the Clancy kid is a heat seeking missile, always seems to find the ball. Mcnulty, who currently is out but supposed to be back this week from a broken leg he suffered against Centreville, is solid, tall lanky kid who also plays rugby. The other MLB filling in for Mcnulty is Gardner, transfer from South Riding area I think, he is the fastest of the 3 and hits hard too. The OLB, Rogers, and safeties’ Gibson and Moore are essentially the same, Rice at CB but he played last year.
The difference from the last 2 seasons for Westfield is offense, especially compared to last year. The QB was Mullins, he outdueled Henderson in their meeting last season, big strong kid that could huck the ball. The OL was also more experienced, and a wee bit better. All the skill position players like Thrasher-Walker, Gray, and Burns were major contributors last year as well.
The big problem Westfield has had is getting the ball in the hands of Burns, probably why they've been experimenting with the WIldcat. He is a phenomenal athlete, I've heard Cincinnati, Maryland, Tennessee, and a few others are looking at him.
I also don't think I would use the word "down" to refer to Westfield, heck, they went 8-2, are the #3 seed, and lost to Centreville and Lake Braddock while playing a pretty tough schedule. I think most programs would love to have that type of a "down" season.
However, I will agree with hsfballfan and RydellRoad, Centreville and Lake Braddock have definitely improved over last season. Centreville's mainly due to experience and reps as I stated in my previous post.