Published: October 09, 2008 12:22 am            

Westwood set for the start of district

By SALLY SEXTON

H-P Sports Writer



With the non-district schedule out of the way, the Westwood Panthers are now focusing on the second season — district.

The Panthers kickoff District 20-3A play against Brownsboro at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Panther Stadium.

“Even though it’s the first game of district we’re not approaching it any differently,” Westwood head coach Kevin Anderson said. “But it is crucial to get off to a winning start and get that first win to build momentum.

“We don’t want to be playing uphill.”

Westwood will be up against a Brownsboro team that has used offense to it’s advantage to build a 4-1 record and scored over 40 points a game.

The spread offense is anchored by returning quarterback Zach Bailey, who passed for over 2,000 yards last season, and has thrown for over 300 yards in the last two games and has 10 touchdowns this season.

Brownboro running back Cameron Warren is the Bears’ main weapon in the running game. He has rushed for over 100 yards in two games.

“With the spread that they run, they have a lot of variations of screens and there are several players who can run the football,” Anderson said. “They’ve been running the quarterback even more, which makes him a bigger threat.”

The Westwood defense had tremendous success against Groesbeck in its last game, allowing just over 100 yards of offense and getting nine sacks on quarterback Caleb Holbrook. Sam Dunnam had four of those sacks.

“We’re hoping to pick up where we left off against Groesbeck and continue putting pressure on the quarterback,” Anderson said. “We’ve also got to be on point making open-field tackles and guarding against the spread.”

The Panther offense will get a boost with running back D.J. Morrow returning to the field after being sidelined for a month with injuries.

“As a coach or a fan, it’s a good thing getting him back to this offense,” Anderson said.

Last year against Brownsboro, the Westwood senior had 10 carries for 100 yards and a 32-yard touchdown run.

Morrow will be joined by quarterback Tevin Watson, who leads the team in rushing with 275 yards and six touchdowns.

“I’d like for Tevin to stay within himself and try not to do too much,” Anderson said. “If he can remain calm in the pocket and read his keys and take what their defense gives him, he’ll be fine.”

Brownsboro’s defense had held all except one of its opponents to 20 points or less.

In the Bears’ last non-district game, Brownsboro saw a 41-19 third-quarter lead slip away to Emory Rains, losing 47-41.

“Defensively, they’re not that big but they’re quick and they can move to the ball,” Anderson said. “I’d like to see us have some 12- to 14-play drives and be able to spread the ball around.”

One of the head coach’s main concerns is having last week off, and although the Panthers have been working on academics as well as fundamentals and review in practice, Anderson still has his concerns.

“How we handle the off week still remains to be seen,” the Westwood coach said. “I think we’re all ready to get started and play somebody, but we have to make sure we don’t come out flat.”

Notes: This will be the third home game this year for Westwood and the Panthers are undefeated at Panther Stadium... Watson came off a season-high 14-of-19 passing for 231 yards and two touchdowns passes against Groesbeck.



PANTHER STATISTICS

Team Stats

Offense

First Downs: 63

Rushes-Yards-Yds/Carry: 141-638-4.5

Passing Yards: 707

Total Yards: 1,345

Comp-Att-Int: 50-88-5

Fumbles-Lost: 20-10

Penalties-Yards: 19-150



Opponents

First Downs: 72

Rushes-Yards-Yds/Carry: 186-1,015-5.5

Passing Yards: 534

Total Yards: 1,549

Comp-Att-Int: 36-80-1

Fumbles-Lost: 14-5

Penalties-Yards: 30-219



Individual Stats

Offense

Rushing

Att-Yards-Avg-TD

Tevin Watson, 51-275-5.39-6; Scott Starr, 34-172-5.06-2; D.J. Morrow, 30-82-2.73-2; Domanick Turner, 12-71-5.92-2; Cameron Shead, 5-15-3.0-0; Rodney Watson, 5-13-2.60-0; Bryce Lyman, 4-10-2.5-0.



Passing

Comp-Att-Yards-Yards/Att-TD

Tevin Watson, 44-77-5-613-7.96-5; D.J. Morrow, 6-11-0-94-8.55-0.



Receiving

Catches-Yards-Avg.-TD

George White, 16-285-17.81-2; Domanick Turner, 14-165-11.79-0; Cameron Shead, 8-109-13.63-2; Mark Reed, 8-102-12.75-1; Gage Hickman, 2-31-15.5-0; Ryan Mackie, 1-15-15.0-0; Nick Morrow, 1-9-9.0-0.



Scoring

Tevin Watson, 36 (6 rushing TDs); Tyler Dillion, 16 (16 PAT); D.J. Morrow, 12 (2 rushing TDs); Domanick Turner, 12 (2 rushing TD); Scott Starr, 12 (2 rushing TD); Cameron Shead, 12 (2 receiving TD); George White, 12 (2 receiving TD); Mark Reed, 6 (1 receiving TD).



Individual Defense

Tackles

J.C. Castandeda, 49; Scott Starr, 38; Domanick Turner, 33; Seth Gilkey, 29; Ryan Mackie, 26; Sam Dunnam, 25; Cody Boyd, 19; Bud Brown, 18; Bryce Lyman, 16; Rodney Watson, 16; Michael Walker, 13; Shaun Anderson, 11; Nick Morrow, 8; Aaron Stanhope, 8; Cameron Shead, 6; Tevin Watson, 4; Gage Hickman, 3; Lance Phillips, 3; Justin Collins, 2; D.J. Morrow, 1; Luke Carmichael, 1; Arron Gonzales, 1.



Interceptions

Cody Boyd, 1.



Sacks

Sam Dunnam, 4; Rodney Watson, 3; Seth Gilkey, 1; Aaron Stanhope, 1.



Fumble Recoveries

J.C. Castaneda, 1; Mark Reed, 1; Aaron Stanhope, 1; Rodney Watson, 1.



Forced Fumbles

Austin Atchley, 1; Ryan Mackie, 1; Domanick Turner, 1; Rodney Watson, 1.

        

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