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Football Preview

WESTMINSTER, MO- The Westminster Wildcats finished the 2017-18 season 4-6 overall (2-4 in the Metro League) and while that may not be one for the record books, the team never hesitated to learn from last year and get back to work for this season.

Entering his second his second year at Westminster, Head Coach Keith Herring looks to continue to build up the Wildcat program. Before coming to WCA last year, he was the Head coach of an 11-2 Brentwood team, so naturally expectations were high. However, the Cats only improved 1 game last year, a far stretch from the playoff run people were hoping for.

“Improvement doesn’t happen all at once,” said Coach Herring, “it had to start with some small steps before we can make a big leap, but this year we have the drive and talent to make a big leap.”

One such leap is the opening up of the passing game. Last year the Cats had almost 3 times as many rush plays as they had passing, but this year Herring plans to add more variety in the play calling.

This updated offensive approach sets the responsibility on QB, Lane Davis’ shoulders. Davis, a junior, started JV as a freshman and backed up QB Chad Briden last year. Davis has shown the ability to throw both in the pocket and while on the move, making him a very real threat to defenses everywhere.

“We’re excited about the flexibility he gives to our offense,” said offensive coordinator Grecko, “he has the chance and the talent to take this team a long way.”

But football is a team sport. A QB cannot be effective without those surrounding him, and Davis’ supporting cast gives him multiple weapons to work with. Starting with his receivers, the Cats look for big years from seniors Jerram Adams and Collin Clark, and TE Isaac Johnston and Maxwell Burns.

Adams lead the team with 221 receiving yards last year and 3 receiving TDs on 19 attempts.
Clark, who didn’t play with the team last year, looks to prove himself as a wideout and help balance the field. Johnston and Burns add a key hight factor to the receiving core and look to bully linebackers all season

In the back field, the Cats once again turn to senior Atlin Hall to be the main source of yards from the Running Back position. Last year Hall lead the team in all categories with 11 TD, 717 yards, on 116 attempts.

But this year, the Cats look to take some of the load off Hall by working sophomore Denver Parker (RB) and senior Zach Brasier (FB) into the rotation.

“By giving [Hall] some more rest, we think he’ll be more effective throughout the year,” commented OC Grecko.

However as all dads will tell you, defense wins championships and the Cats have a strong core lead by seniors Isaac Johnston (DE), John Fregene (DE), and Zach Brasier (MLB) up front and Atlin Hall (S) and junior Ben Straub (S) in the secondary.

“We have really high expectations for the season,” said Clark, “We’ve got something special this year and we know it. Everyone’s put in the work to get prepared for the season and it’s time to show what we can do.”

The Cats open the season vs St Mary’s, Saturday, August 25 @Parkway West, 7:00.