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Sports

Warriors Look for Return to Winning Ways

Seven wins over the last two seasons following a 10-win campaign in 2008.

It’s been a couple years since the football team has had consistent success on the gridiron. Following a 10-2 season in 2008, the Warriors stumbled to a 2-8 record the next year after graduating the majority of the team.

That young squad improved to 4-6 last year and coach Gray Strauss expects more improvement this season.

“We’re going to be better than we were last year,” said Strauss, who is entering his 12th season at the helm.

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Much of that success will depend on the quarterback play where senior Jordan Daugherty and sophomore Kyle Anders are competing for the starting job. Anders is one of three sophomores who will play on the varsity squad. West’s freshman team was undefeated last year, so Strauss likes the talented sophomore class.

Offense:

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The interior of the offensive line remains intact and Strauss said the Warriors will be stronger at the point of attack. West had to replace several starters on the line last year. With some continuity this season, Strauss believes the offense will be more consistent.

If Daugherty wins the quarterback job, he’ll have to overcome a history of leg injuries. He’s had a season-ending leg injury in each of the previous three seasons. Daugherty and Anders have been splitting reps and will continue to do so until one separates himself from the other. Strauss said they’re both smart players who read coverages well.

Strauss takes some of the blame for the fall-off the last two years, saying the Warriors got away from their identity. This year, it’s a return to the wishbone offense, which is what Strauss knows the best and is what the lower levels run. Keeping it at the varsity level provides more “continuity in the program.”

Defense:

The Warriors will line up in either a base 4-4 or 4-3, depending on the opponent, which will also dictate whether they play zone or man-to-man in the secondary.

The strength of the defense will be the linebackers. West returns leading tackler junior Casey Bartee and the group is bolstered by senior Austin Rugraff and junior Tommy Jones on the outside. Strauss said Jones “has a nose for the ball.”

Seniors Jake Kraus and Kyle McCauley – who will be two-way starters – anchor the defensive line. Junior Ryan Rockow and seniors Zach Mudd, Ahren Bohanan and Tyler Hanneke provide a rotation at defensive end.

Junior Marcus Taylor is the lone returner in the secondary. He will be joined by sophomore Auggie Loschen, junior Andrew Rizzello and sophomore Ryan Finders.

Strauss said his Warriors have “good team speed” on defense and will be actively trying to force turnovers.

Coach:

Strauss is 53-57 in his 11 previous seasons at West. He thinks his team has the potential to finish in the upper part of the Gateway Athletic Conference North Division.

“I look for us to be in the top half of the conference,” Strauss said. “I think we’re going to surprise some people.”

Schedule:

The season gets under way on Aug. 26 at Fort Zumwalt South with the home opener the following week against Zumwalt East. The Warriors play city rivals and in consecutive weeks, four and five. Both games are away from Stahl Stadium.

For a full schedule click here.

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