article on Westside

[RenegadeFan 10]

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Renegades aim at another trip to playoffs

 

 

Below article written by John Conley taken from the Independent Herald

 

With most of its starters and top performers returning from 2004, Westside seems to be all but a shoo-in for a third straight playoff performance. "We have senior leadership," said WHS coach Silas Mullins, whose team has 15 lettermen returning. "We'll go as far as they'll take us." The experience pays off from the first day of practice. "They've been with us and they know what we want done." he remarked.

 

The Renegades were 8-3 last season, falling to Braxton County in the opening round of th AA playoffs. Mullins has been pleased with the commitment shown by many of his players, who worked in the weight room during the off-season and took part in summer practices. "We picked up two or three who haven't played before but who we think can come in and contribute." Mullins noted. "We have pretty good strength and excellent team speed," the coach commented. "In high school, speed is a plus -- especially in football. Most teams might have one player with speed, but we have good overall speed. "Our kicking game is one area of concern," he said. "and we've got to do some work with our linebacking play." The Renegades play ten straight games to start the season--and then have a week off before the playoffs start. "I like to play ten straight," Mullins pointed out. "You can finish a week early or you've got time to get ready for a playoff game." Probably starters on offense include senior split end Shawn Clark ("good speed, great hands," Mullins says), left tackle Adam Bailey, left guard Danny Walls and senior center Chris Brown. Eric Adkins is at right guard, and Brandon Hatfield is at right tackle. Hatfield, Mullins says, "is strong and moves well for a man his size, bench presses over 300 pounds, one of our leaders on the offensive line." Kyle Lusk and Chris Blankenship will share duties at tight end. Running backs are Jamie Rodden, James Krall, Cory Morgan(who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year) and Rolo Lusk. Justin Sizemore, a senior threw for over 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2004. "We need him to do the same and cut down on the interceptions," Mullins said. "His (throwing) accuracy has improved."

 

On the defensive side, Brandon Morgan and Jonathan Barber are the tackles, Lusk, Blankenship, and Hatfield are the ends. Derek Goodson and Ricky Thomas are likely to see playing time as well. Those making up the linebacking corp include Krall, Walls, Timmy Tate, Austin Steffy, Eric Adkins and Rolo Lusk. Rodden and Cory Morgan are the corners, and Sizemore and Clark are the defensive backs. "We're looking for an outstanding year from three kids--Danny Walls, Brandon Hatfield and Eric Adkins," Mullins observed. "If those three play to their potential, I think the other kids will step up and play well too."

 

The schedule is the same as last year except that Gilbert has been moved from the last game of the season to the second. "We can't afford to get any key kids injured," Mullins said. "All of our starters are key players. We have to stay injury-free." Not turning the ball over is another factor in how the season turns out. "We've got to take care of the football,' he stated. "And we've got to cut down the interceptions. If we do those things, we should be successful." The coach has been with the WHS program from its inception in 2002. This years seniors are the first to be with him the entire time. I've been with these kids for four years, and we've gotten to know each other in the class and on the field,' he said. "We've gone through good times and bad times together."

 

The Renegades will open their new on-campus stadium at Clearfork on Aug 26 when they host the Liberty Raiders. "There will be a big crowd and I know the guys will be excited about playing at the new field," Mullins said.

 

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just thought i would share this!