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Two-a-days: Westlake football preview

Prep Sports Overtime by Bill Oram and Kyle Goon

Published August 1, 2012 11:40 am

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A defense can win a championship. But not if a team can't score points.

That's where Westlake finds itself this fall, with just 16 seniors on the team and a majority of them on defense. They will lean on senior linebackers Daniel Nugent and Kayden Daley to use their speed and make up for an undersized defensive line.

"We have a lot of fronts we use, and can work against any offense," Nugent said. "We are little small on the line, so we have to make up for it with discipline."

Added Daley: "The defense will be the best part of the team. We're an aggressive defense, we'll fly to the ball and make plays."

On offense, while scoring threats remain at the wide receiver position, the struggle will be getting them the ball with sophomore quarterback Gavin Williams expected to get the starting nod.

"We're young, and we're going to make mistakes," head coach Gary Clark said. "We have to avoid making mistakes. This team is good at avoiding mistakes, and that's why we had success last season."

The offensive line is under construction as well, with 6-foot-2, 270 pound junior guard Tione Finau primed to lead a young squad. In his second season as head coach, Clark wishes he has more seniors, but is confident his team can make it back to the playoffs.

"I just hope we can get first downs," he said.

LAST YEAR: 4-7, lost in second round to Timpview KEY RETURNER: Daniel Nugent, senior, linebacker/running back. Nugent, a co-captain, will lead a veteran defense looking to keep points off the board.PLAYER TO WATCH: Gavin Williams, sophomore, quarterback. Williams is likely to get the starting nod despite his youth. With a talented defense, the Thunder hope the offense can put up any amount of points. BIGGEST HOLE: Head coach Gary Clark doesn't know what his strengths are on offense. NEED TO KNOW: Westlake's defense should keep points off the board. However, there few threats on offense. Expect low-scoring, close games.SEASON OPENER: Hosts Provo. Aug. 17 @ 7 p.m.