By RANDY CAVIN
Press Sports
Avenge last season’s opening loss or repeat last season’s opening win will be on the minds of Martin Westview head coach Don Coady and Dresden first year head coach Keith Hodge, respectively.
Last season in Week 0, the Lions made enough plays to come out on top of the Chargers in a 13-2 win.
Dresden caught Westview off guard by stacking the line with seven and eight players to disrupt the Chargers’ running game. Coady will be expecting the Lions to come out with the same game plan on defense in tonight’s contest at Graham Stadium at 7:30.
“I am sure they will try to do what worked for them last year,” Coady said. “Hopefully, we will be better prepared for them this time.”
Both teams are coming off playoff seasons in 2011. The Chargers made it to second round in Class 3A, while the Lions are coming off their first-ever trip to the state championship. Dresden finished as the 2011 runners-up in Class 2A.
Hodge says he knows what to expect from the Chargers in tonight’s game.
“I expect a hard-fought game with a lot of emotions,” Hodge said. “Hopefully, we can keep that in check and play smart football..”
Gone from the 2011 Lions are Hatchel, last season’s starting quarterback who threw for 1,693 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,402 yards and 19 touchdowns. Eric VanDyke led the team in tackles with 125, with 21 going for a loss. Tyler McPeak caught 29 passes for 391 yards and Kanehl caught 56 passes for 794 yards and nine scores.
This season, the passing duties will be handled by senior Davis Moran. Joining him in the backfield will be experienced players Devan Raymer and Joey Caldwell. Junior Torres Washington will also see his share of playing time in the backfield.
Raymer, a senior, ran for 528 yards and five TDs in 2011. Caldwell, a junior, is a hard runner who utilizes his quickness in the wing-T offense. Washington will give the Lions an added running back to give the starters a rest when needed.
Westview is coming off a year in which it lost 16 starters from its playoff team.
Westview does return its starting quarterback from last season. Senior Ryan Vinson will be looking to improve on last year’s numbers. He finished the 2011 season with 769 yards while completing 50 percent of his passes. Quan Williams, a senior, ran the ball for 216 yards on 44 carries and scored five rushing touchdowns.
Coady will have the luxury of having some talented receivers this season. Senior Javier Gordon, who is playing his first year in football, has great hands and great leaping ability. Juniors Ty Brown and Beau Kelly give Vinson additional options to pass the ball to.
Coady will be trying to beat Dresden for the 10th time in his 22-year tenure at Westview. He is 9-2 all-time against his cross-county rivals. Hodge will be looking to start his first chapter in the rivalry in his first season as Dresden’s head coach.
Westview has a 41-8-2 advantage all-time in the series. Published in The WCP 8.16.12