Westfield reloading with new talent
High school prognosticators, coaches and fans don't know what to make of Houston-area Westfield High School, the Class 5A power that has reached the state finals and semi-finals over the past two seasons.
Chat rooms have Westfield sliding this season because of the departure of Pierre Beasley (Rice), Danny McCray (LSU), DeMarcus Conner (Oklahoma State), Sandy Riley (Texas Tech), Chris Mitchell (Houston), Devin Gregg (Texas A&M), Robert Kibble (UCLA) and Patrick Handy (SMU) over the past two seasons.
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Is the Westfield run over? Has all of that talent dried up?
"What do you think?" Westfield coach Corby Meekins said. "We have some kid who are very talented but aren't proven on the varsity level because of who we have had here the past couple of years. And a lot of these kids don't have offers because they don't have any film."
While some many talented kids have graduated, Westfield's cupboard is far from bare.
On defense, the Mustangs will have a lightning quick secondary led by Luther Eta (5-9, 170-pounds) who has started 26 games over their run.
"He is a little undersized but is so talented," Meekins said. "If you can start here for three years, you've got to be good. What he does on special teams should get him some looks."
Tommy Gates (5-9, 175-pounds), Anthony Forker and junior Brodrick Brown (5-7, 155) round out the secondary.
"Those guys make plays," he said. "They do it on special teams also."
Marcus Sanders (6-0, 208-pounds) and junior Herman Mitchell (6-0, 185-pounds) anchor the linebacking corps. Sanders is the team's leading returning tackler and will garner college interest for his size and speed.
"Mitchell could be the best we've had in a long time at linebacker," Meekins said. "He will have the size and works very hard."
Ed Inglehart (6-3, 215-pounds), Josh Williams (6-0, 245-pounds), Richard Singleton (6-1, 275-pounds) and Christian Ridge (5-11, 235-pounds) are the bigs on the defensive line.
The biggest concern is replacing Beasley, who was the heartbeat of the Mustangs for two seasons. Stepping in will be senior Cameron Wynn (6-1, 205-pounds), who can make every throw and can get outside on the corner in practice.
"He hasn't taken too many varsity snaps, so we'll see," Meekins said. "He could surprises some people with his athletic abilities."
The Mustang receiving group of Christian Taylor (6-1, 180-pounds), Jacory McGhee (6-3, 190-pounds), Adam Watson (5-11, 165-pounds) and tight end Jon Grimm (6-2, 235-pounds) will give Wynn some targets.
"We have some guys over six-foot to get the ball to," he said. "Grimm can be like Sandy Riley with a little more nasty."
Which leads us to the main cog in the offense. Dwayne Stewart was the thunder to Terrence Sweeney's (Hutchinson Junior College) lightning last season.
Stewart (6-0, 190-pounds) is a big glider, who wore down teams with his slashing style. He will be depended on to carry much of the load on offense and improve on his numbers from last year (504 yards on 72 carries). He could go for 1,300 if he stays healthy.
"Terrance was a warrior for us, playing hurt and with heart," Meekins said. "We'll see if Dwayne can fill those shoes."