Summer Outlook: Westwood Redhawks
BLYTHEWOOD | Robert O’Connell’s first season as Westwood High School head football coach produced a playoff appearance. Having had a full off-season to implement his system and get his young roster acclimated, he sees an improved Redhawks’ team going into…
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Continue ReadingBLYTHEWOOD | Robert O’Connell’s first season as Westwood High School head football coach produced a playoff appearance.
Having had a full off-season to implement his system and get his young roster acclimated, he sees an improved Redhawks’ team going into the fall.
“We’ve had a really good off-season going into Year Two,” O’Connell said. “Last year, we didn’t even really get a spring being a new staff and all that, so it’s been good just to kind of see the full off-season really from November, that phase in the weight room to the spring ball and now to the summer.
“We’re talented across the board. But the kind of thing that we’re continuing to try to work with our guys on is that we’re young. Even our older guys in a lot of stops haven’t had to play for us on Friday nights, which is where you always have kind of ups and downs like that. That’s the stuff that we’re working through right now. You’re inexperienced, you’re going to make inexperienced mistakes. But our guys are doing a great job in coming to work every day and trying to get better.”
Westwood will be especially young at quarterback with three sophomores competing for the starting job. Currently, Carrington Carter and Nate Caldwell are the front-runners with each player providing a contrast with the former being a dual threat with his feet and the latter a classic drop back passer.
There will be no shortage of leadership for the rest of the team. Senior offensive tackle Zachario McNeil is a very vocal leader and brings energy which inspires even the head coach, while fellow guard Anthony Nigro provides a reserved type of leadership by example.
They are joined on the offensive line by junior Armond Scott and seniors Edwin Wilson and Jayvyn Canty, who will play tight end.
Both the offensive and defensive lines are considered a strength in their ability to run and stop it. Junior defensive end Dekontee Mack Dekontee Mack 6'4" | 220 lbs | DL Westwood | 2025 State SC received plenty of attention last year out of this group and O’Connell expects him to further mature into a player who will live up to those expectations.
Christian Rhoden, Matthew McCoy and Darryl Jones round out the starting defensive line.
Having experienced Region 5-4A play, O’Connell knows there is “no type of off week” and getting through it will make them a better team for the post-season. The Redhawks open the season Aug. 18 at home against Spring Valley.
Ka-Shon Harrison
Ka-Shon Harrison
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- An effective short pass playmaker who looks to verbally inspire his teammates
- Uses his knowledge of the wide receiver position to play defensive back
- Runs a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash and squats 335 pounds
- Caught the game-winning touchdown pass against Richland Northeast to clinch a playoff berth
Zachario McNeil
Zachario McNeil
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- A two-year letterman whose infectious verbal leadership inspires the team
- Plays an aggressive style of offensive tackle where he compensates for shorter size by battling until the whistle ends the play
- Takes a technical approach to the position, seeks to fine-tune his hand and footwork
- Has gained eight pounds to his 218-pound frame in the weight room
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Christian Rhoden
Christian Rhoden
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- Sets an example on both the offensive and defensive line with his work ethic
- Makes plays at defensive line and holds his own when used on the offensive line
- Overcomes size disadvantage with fundamental footwork and effective hand use
- Bench presses 275 pounds and squats 515 pounds
- Firmly committed to protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes for the backs
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Ako Taylor
Ako Taylor
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- Made a successful transition from junior varsity
- An aggressive outside linebacker who makes plays at the line of scrimmage
- Has 4.5 speed and squats 365 pounds
- Mentored by the upperclassman at his position on the importance of fundamentals
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Justin Washington
Justin Washington
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- Looking to make the varsity team for the first time after spending his freshman year at junior varsity
- Uses build and reach to stay close to wide receivers
- Using the off-season to adapt to the speed and physical play at the varsity level
- Leans on upperclassmen for guidance and support
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Anthony Nigro
Anthony Nigro
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- A 2-year letterman whose quiet leadership and reserved demeanor blends in with the roster
- An aggressive lineman who believes in dominating every snap and clearing anyone in front of him out of the way
- Believes in quickly correcting mistakes and improving his lower body strength to become a better blocker
- Bench presses 370 pounds and squats 465 pounds
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