The News-Gazette.com Weblog

Fred's Blog

Westville H.S. football looks quick

Posted by: Fred Kroner

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 1:38 PM

WESTVILLE — The school which has averaged more than 10 wins during the past five football seasons has another impressive set of numbers this year.
Westville High School’s turnout is the second highest during Guy Goodlove’s coaching tenure, 59, a total which includes 22 freshmen.
Goodlove is not surprised by the interest.
“Tradition plays a big part of it,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to be part of a successful program for kids who have been coming to Friday games and seeing the crowds.”
Beyond that, word is getting out that there’s an opportunity to get out onto the field.
“If you’re out, and come to practice, we’ll make sure you get a chance to play and develop as a player somewhere at some level, whether it’s Monday, Thursday or Friday,” Goodlove said.
As the team prepares for its 2009 season opener, Aug. 28 at Iroquois West, the Tigers can build around four two-way starters: Ryan Blue (tight end/defensive end), Matt Maser (quarterback/defensive back), Brandon Pratt (running back/linebacker) and Luke Shafer (offensive line/defensive line).
With Maser and Pratt, Westville has two of the quickest athletes in Vermilion County. They were runners on the school’s triumphant 400- and 800-meter relays in last spring’s county track and field meet.
“They are two of the most explosive kids in the conference and that’s a nice place to start,” Goodlove said.
Maser passed for 1,186 yards (seventh in the area) last fall as a sophomore.
“Speed is our team’s biggest strength,” Maser said.
Goodlove hopes the quickness will offset what could be a deficiency.
“I don’t know if we have good size, but we’re very quick and we’ll find ways to utilize it,” he said. “Defensively, we’ll fly around and get to the football in a hurry.”
Size won’t be a factor, according to Blue.
“We have speed and we’re not afraid to hit,” he said. “We’ll have one of the best defenses around.”
In addition to the four returning two-way starters, Westville has one other regular back on defense. Jeremy Ottino, however, has been switched from tackle to end.
“He has worked incredibly hard in the weight room,” Goodlove said. “He’ll be a mainstay on offense (at tackle).”
As he evaluates his defensive candidates, Goodlove sees several athletes who could help in multiple areas.
Ottino and Cody Pratt are possibilities at tackle, end or linebacker. Blue has experience at end, linebacker or cornerback.
“Where ever we need him,” Goodlove said.
And that is fine with Blue.
“As long as I’m on the field,” he said.
Brandon Pratt and Brendon Severado will be linebacking anchors. Among the others who are available are Kane Atwood and John Hoepner.
Others who could see time in the secondary are Mitchell Bryant, Matt Custer, Taylor Free and Jeremy Moore.
Other prospects along the front line include True Ford, Ryan Fulfer, Devinn Piehl and Matthew Vallangeon.
“We’ll be solid on defense,” Maser said.
Offensively, the line could feature a decidedly youthful look.
The four leading candidates at guard are all sophomores: Atwood, Hoepner, Cody Pratt and Ryan Pinter,
Junior Bryan Miller is at center while senior veterans Ottino and Shafer are the tackles. Shafer, at 266 pounds, is the Tigers’ biggest player.
“The line is tough,” Brandon Pratt said. “They’re better, stronger and working harder.”
Brandon Pratt, who rushed for 1,368 yards (sixth in the area) and 19 touchdowns last season will join Severado as the featured ballcarriers.
The depth at receiver is such that Goodlove only half-jokingly says, “we may have to go into the season where the pass sets up the run,” he said. “We have an excellent receiving corps.”
Blue, Custer, Zach Davis, Free, Cody Hill, Moore and Ricky Womack will headline the receiving corps.
“I know whoever we go to can make the play,” Maser said. “Both backs can catch the ball, too. That takes the pressure off of me. I think our offense will be pretty balanced.”
Maser, a three-sport letterman as both a freshman and sophomore, likes the way the team is progressing.
“We have a squad that’s very disciplined,” he said.
Goodlove’s staff includes the same three paid assistants as last year: Larry Barney, Todd Sarnecki and Shawn Skinner. During the past five years, Westville has won more games than any Vermilion Valley Conference school in football, going 52-11 in that span.