Returning Contributors: The Westfield Blue Devils’ Linemen
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The Jim DeSarno era in Westfield started way back in 2006. Since he took control of the program it has experienced unprecedented success. Entering his 19th season at the helm DeSarno’s tenure has been highlighted by a 38-game winning streak…
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Continue ReadingThe Jim DeSarno era in Westfield started way back in 2006. Since he took control of the program it has experienced unprecedented success. Entering his 19th season at the helm DeSarno’s tenure has been highlighted by a 38-game winning streak and consecutive North II, Group V sectional championships in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
All that said, most programs would be celebrating a 6-5 season and the #7 seed in the North V playoff bracket. Not Westfield though. Below are a handful of prospects who are coming back to build upon an already stellar campaign by most standards in hopes to compete for a state championship.
Zac Wragg Zac Wragg 6’4″ | 210 lbs | DL Westfield | 2025 NJ is one of two defensive ends returning for the Blue Devils. One thing the tape shows that Wragg does exceptionally well is get hands on the man in front of him, strain, and separate. This allows Wragg to always be in position to control his gap and rip into his adjacent gap. Wragg also is the beneficiary of Westfield’s signature line stunts, where he often comes through to sack the quarterback (five last season) or be in position to bat a pass attempt down. The returning defensive end also does a nice job of making kick out blockers whiff and finishing those plays. Wragg also plays with his head on a swivel, eliminating running back flare patterns with his savviness. An area Wragg can improve on is his hip mobility. Should he work to twitch and flip his hips through he will inevitably find himself routinely making plays in the backfield.
Bookending Wragg as the end on the opposite side of the defensive line is Lincoln Meyers Lincoln Meyers 6’1″ | 185 lbs | DL Westfield | 2025 NJ . Meyers’ season was highlighted by 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery. One thing is clear after watching his film: Meyers has a motor. Aided by his ability to redirect and pursue with ease, Meyers also does a great job fighting for half-man leverage with the offensive linemen. This makes him a difficult matchup to reach block. He has shown numerous times to play into his adjacent gap with ease. Perhaps a scrappy player, we see Meyers consistently keep playing as he fights and works to make plays. His best move is the snatch move, which he uses to shed would-be blockers at any point during the play. Aware of situational football, I noticed Meyers play with his hands above his eyes near the goal line en route to make a solid, score-stifling play. Meyers would benefit from focus on tackling the ball carrier a bit lower.
The only sophomore on this feature, Jake Zemsky Jake Zemsky 6’0″ | 215 lbs | OL Westfield | 2026 NJ is a prospect who looks to rise from the JV ranks. His sub-varsity film shows that the offensive lineman does a nice job climbing to the second level of the defense. Perhaps more importantly, Zemsky sticks to those second-level defenders like white-on-rice. When run blocking the young trenchman maintains a solid base so he is never off balance. This, combine with his ability to place his head on the correct shoulder, makes him an effective run blocker. What I happen to think Zemsky does best is pull; however, what he does even better than that is move in space. As he prepares to win a varsity job this fall, Zemsky should look to improve his foot quickness, which will aid him in pass protection.
One of three returning offensive lineman from last year is the man-in-the-middle, center Brenton Hatch Brenton Hatch 6’0″ | 270 lbs | OL Westfield | 2025 NJ . Hatch has all the size to consistently win against nose tackles on a 1-on-1 basis. Hatch also does a solid job of finding a way to obstruct the path of linebackers when he climbs to the second level. Likely the most impressive play on his highlight film, we see that the Blue Devils’ center keeps his head up and has the power to totally de-cleat blitzing linebackers. The big mauler of an offensive lineman can improve his game by cleaning up his footwork. He will be in better position should he commit to avoiding false steps.
As Westfield has bookend defensive ends returning in 2024, they also have bookend offensive tackles set to return, the first of which is Patrick McGovern Patrick McGovern 6’2″ | 220 lbs | OL Westfield | 2025 NJ . The fluidity that McGovern pulls for single-back power was something I marveled at. Coming across on film as a cerebral player, it is evident that McGovern knows his assignment in any situation. Right now I would probably consider McGovern a better drive/down/on blocker than reach blocker, as he benefits from angles and locks his arms in the chest plate of a defender like a ram locking horns. If there is one bit of advice I would impart McGovern with as he prepares for the fall is to remember to “win with his head.” As he continues to fight for his head to line up on the correct shoulder, he will build on his current level of success.