Training Camp Day 9: Westfield Bulldogs
CHANTILLY, VA - Over the years, it's been tough to define Westfield. They can run, pass, and oh yeah, they can play extremely well on defense. Yet that's one thing the Westfield coaching staff prides itself on. Take away the running game and they'll burn you with the pass. Try and shut down the pass with a double team? Then they'll beat you with their running game. Saying Westfield is one-dimensional is like saying Barry Bonds tells the truth.
And when taking a look at Westfield this year, they'll be able to beat the opposition in every way, shape, and form. There simply is no weak spot on this team. Last year's junior-laden team went 10-0 in the regular season and came within a few minutes of capturing the Northern Region crown. With all those high-profile juniors returning, Westfield has been crowned as the early favorites to win both the region and district titles. A state title and national ranking isn't far from reality either, which makes this Westfield squad the team to beat in 2007.
What can we expect out of Mike Glennon this year?
A whole lot. Glennon was last year's Concorde District player of the year, but the 6-foot-6 quarterback has accelerated his play significantly since then. Glennon was recruited by nearly every school on the East Coast, and that was because he perfected his throwing motion that utilized every bit of his huge frame. With his stock rising significantly over the off-season, Glennon was invited to compete at the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback camp where he learned from the best in the game. Glennon not only competed at a high level at the camp, but he turned several heads in doing so. Several publications have now ranked Glennon as one of the top-five quarterbacks in the country. A drastically improved Glennon is a scary proposition for a lot of teams, but he should really do a lot of damage this year.
Will the same cast of characters stand out for Westfield?
While Westfield's team is nearly identical from last year, there should be some new faces that should step out into the spotlight. Among those new faces is David Kruchco. Kruchco broke his leg only three games into the year, so he wasn't as big a factor into the Bulldogs' offense as most had previously thought. Now healthy, and not to mention he has a near flawless quarterback throwing to him, Kruchco could really stand out in 2007. Also look for Kareem Ebanks to possibly emerge as an impact player for head coach Tom Verbanic.
Does Westfield have a weakness?
Yes, and it's themselves. If they get caught up in the preseason hype and expectations, that could come back to haunt them. Right now they have a bull's-eye the size of Texas on them. Everyone wants a shot to knock off Westfield and their highly publicized prospects. This is a team that needs to play together and act like they are on a mission. Remember that they have to play a grueling Concorde District schedule, and if for one second they start to buy into the fact that they are the rightful heirs to the region crown, they could be in for a big surprise.
How is the defense going to fare for Westfield this year?
Defense is something coach Verbanic takes seriously and his top priority is to have this unit every bit as sharp as last year's defense that allowed an average of only 7.9 points per game. Keep in mind also that those 7.9 points per game were given up after facing some of the region's toughest teams. The entire linebacking core of Brian Kennedy, Mike King, and Cole Campbell all return as well as Tucker Carl and Johnny Pickett in the secondary. The depth at the defensive line positions is enough to make any other head coach start to blush. Across the board, this defense will be extremely tough to score on.
Key Match Up
The biggest obstacle that is blocking Westfield's path to a district and region title is Chantilly. These two programs are the cream of the crop in Division 6 this year and when they square-off in September, the winner will have a much easier path to the district title.
Extra Point
The last star-studded team that Westfield had went all the way to win the state championship in 2003. Eddie Royal and Evan Royster were all significant impact players that year, and so too was Glennon. No, not Mike Glennon, but rather his older brother Sean. Sean, just like Mike, was a highly rated recruit who in his senior year played a major role in helping Westfield win its first state title. Fast-forward four years and it's the same name, and almost identical situation. Can history repeat itself? We'll have to wait and see.
