With a young team last year, the Westlake Rams’ season ended prematurely in the first round of the playoffs. But with a dozen starters back this year, the Rams hope the extra experience will pay off, especially on defense where they struggled last year. Of their six losses, five were by seven points or less points.
“We are hoping that we will be a lot better on defense,” Westlake head coach Max Caldarera said. “We were weak on defense last year and we lost games because of defense.
“In the playoff game we were not supposed to be on the field with those cats (Patterson). We felt that we should have beaten them. Playing against a stud (running back Kenny Hilliard) like we did, our defense came on in that game. Hopefully we are going to surprise ourselves on defense. We are going to have to run the football and make the games short.”
The Rams have four all-district players back on defense this year although they will have to replace their leading tackler in linebacker Ricky Irvin (113 tackles, 3 INT) who is now in his freshman season with Southeastern Louisiana University.
Their secondary will be solid with the return of junior first team all-district defensive back Justin Nordberg and senior all-district defensive back Tyler Stoddard who recently committed to Southeastern Louisiana.
The Rams enjoyed one of the best running back tandems in the state last year with Donald James and Tevin Lavergne who combined for over 2,400 yards but will have to find a way to replace them this year.
Taking the running duties over this season will be junior Devin Eaglin (5'10”, 210lbs). Eaglin saw limited action last year and will be backed up by sophomore Nic Latour.
The Rams will look to junior Ryan Feagan to take over at quarterback.
“He is throwing the ball rather well but he does not have the experience,” Caldarera said. “A lot of our games in JV got cancelled last year.
“Backing him up will be freshman Tyler Johnson and sophomore Draike Rawles.”
While the Rams backfield may lack experience, they will have great protection with four returning linemen including two first team all-district selections in seniors Gabe Spikes (6'0”, 225lbs) and Trent Toups (5'10”, 210lbs) and a second team all-district player in senior Jordan McBride (6'2”, 235lbs).
“The offensive line along with Nordberg and Stoddard are going to have to be the leaders of the offense,” Caldarera said.
While having 12 starters back is great, the Rams entered the fall thinking that they would have to fill only six positions. Injuries and other reasons have forced the Rams to look to younger players to fill the gaps.
“We had a lot of starters coming back,” Caldarera said. “It takes away from the depth of the offensive line.
“A lot of young kids are going to have to come through. This sophomore class has a lot of kids that can come out and help. We are going to have to play a lot of ironman football. We are shallow with numbers. Most everything is backed up with sophomores. Our junior and senior class is not very big.”
Sophomores Willie Foy and Dane Suire will battle for the open spot on the offensive line.
After making the District 4-3A as a defensive lineman last year, Jaylon Hadnot has transferred to LaGrange. But his transfer is a double hit for the Rams as it also leaves open the tight end spot.
Westlake will look to another defensive lineman in senior Chase Schuck to give them some size at tight end as well as sophomore Devin Pharris. McBride will add to the list of players pulling double duty, as he will fill Hadnot's spot on the defensive line.
“We have another big body (Schuck) and another big blocker which helps,” Caldarera said. “His hands are not bad but of course this is the first time he has played this position. He is learning.”
Chance Stevens was projected to be a starter in the secondary for the Rams along with Stoddard, Nordberg and Reggie Lastrapes but will be out about six weeks with an injury.
But sophomore Haden Etienne has been filling in nicely for Stevens. Etienne is just 5'4” and 140lbs but ran the 100M dash as a freshman last year.
"Etienne has had an excellent workout since we have started two-a-days and he has intercepted a lot of balls,” Caldarera said.
It is a rarity in this day in age to see a head coach stay more than a few years at a school, but Caldarera will be entering his 33rd as the Rams head coach.
“I have invested a lot in Westlake,” Caldarera said. “I have raised my family here and I have made it my home.
“We have had very good teams here. It has been a great career here at Westlake. I am proud of what has happened at Westlake and the facilities that we have. It has been fun and it is still fun. How much longer am I going to go, I don't know.”
He has coached in five different decades now and is near the 200-win plateau but Caldarera is not worried about it.
“I hope it comes,” Caldarera said. “If it don't come, it doesn’t come.
“I would like to get in that club. Two of my friends are in that club, Jimmy Shaver and Perry LaLande. I have never worried about records. My record is not the greatest in the world with wins and losses.”
THE ESSENTIALS
Mascot: Rams
Colors: Black and orange
Homefield: Westlake Ram Stadium
Head coach: Max Caldarera, 33rd as head coach (198-154).
2009 record: 5-6 (3-2 3rd), lost to Patterson 34-24 in first round.
Offense: Multiple one back
Defense: 50 (last year 5-3)
Returning starters: Offense 8, Defense 8
Key losses: RB-Tevin Lavergne, RB-Donald James, LB-Ricky Irvin
Top returning playres: OL-Gabe Spikes, OL-Trent Toups, OL-Jordan McBride, SS-Justin Nordberg, FS-Tyler Stoddard, DL-Chase Schuck, LB-Zack Vincent.
College prospects: FS-Tyler Stoddard (committed to Southeastern La.)
Schedule
Sept. 3 vs. Marksville
Sept. 10 @ Beau Chene
Sept. 17 @ Sam Houston
Sept. 24 vs. DeRidder
Sept. 30 @ St. Louis
Oct. 8 vs. Eunice*
Oct. 14 vs. Northwest*
Oct. 22 @ Crowley*
Oct. 29 vs. Church Point*
Nov. 5 @ Iowa*
*Denotes district game
