2025 Preview: Westwood Redhawks

During talking season, players across the state talk about winning the state title. It's often more realistic for some than others.   So when Westwood senior Jeremiah Whitmore spoke about making the third round of the playoffs for the second time in the school's brief history, it was an emphatic statement in its own right. How would a program coming off a 6-6 slate and then going through a coaching change get there?   “Our defense is very good where it's at,” Whitmore said last week at the Prep RedZone Media Day at his school. “We need to work more on offense getting the ball out, getting our steps right, getting the plays, communicating. We weren't doing enough to that and it messed us up a little bit.”   The back-and-forth between the season-long goals and the minutiae of achieving them isn't a bad thing, at least not according to the new head coach. Stephen Burris made his way over after two seasons at Lamar. However, his familiarity with the program has been long-established after previously working at nearby Ridge View running the offense.    One of his first acts was to establish his coaches on the field, players who could take the reins and execute some of the player-led needs of a new staff. He immediately found them in all-region defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1734497' first='Darryl' last='Jones'] and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1734561' first='Carrington' last='Carter'].    “Darryl's an energy guy. He's non-stop. He shows up every day. He's one of the first one there and he's one of the last guys to leave. He's the catalyst for us on defense. I knew watching the film his ability garnered that respect. For a high school kid to be that consistent, it's been really good,” Burris said. “Carrington has a ton of ability. I don't know if it's always shown over the year, but he's really stepped up the last two month. He's making throws and reads, and he's getting to the point where he's correcting other players. He's the captain and leader of the offense.”   The Redhawks will have plenty of others to watch, as well. Tailbacks [player_tooltip player_id='1603902' first='Angelo' last='Rios'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1312448' first='Jovan' last='Howard'] will be a two-headed rushing attack, often on the field at the same time. Receivers Miles Grant (a Ben Lippen transfer) will join experienced seniors CJ Bennett and Khameron Cunningham on the outside, with tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1700055' first='Uriah' last='Lofton'] bookending the line.    Defensively, defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1720069' first='Zion' last='Oliver'] will patrol the back end, while a trio of seniors - Michael Hunt, Jamel Mitchell and Donte Davis - are all likely starters at linebacker.    Progress will be slow at times, quicker at others. And only a few months after getting the job, Burris said Whitmore's comments were just fine.   As long as the balance of the here and now isn't ignored.   “You've got to keep the big picture in mind, but we focus on the small steps that are going to be necessary to get there,” Burris said. “If you get that 1,000-piece puzzle, you know what the picture looks like. But you have to start with the outside pieces and build the frame. If we do that, we're not going to have to worry much about wins and losses. To hear a senior say he wants to do something that's only been done one time, that adds pressure to them. But I'm OK with that, because they're going to lead us to finding that corner piece and building the outside frame.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1734497' first='Darryl' last='Jones'] DL, 2026 - The 5-foot-10, 255-pound interior lineman earned Region V-5A honors last fall after putting up 53 total tackles and six tackles for loss. He also had three sacks and a fumble recovery. His ability to clog up the middle will help free up the team's safeties to further cover the rest of the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603902' first='Angelo' last='Rios'] RB, 2027 (pictured) - Rios may not look like much at 5-foot-4 and 150 pounds, but his ability to hide behind the line and then let his speed take over to split defenders is clearly a huge plus for Westwood. He finished his sophomore season with 986 rushing yards and eight touchdowns and can be equally dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield or as a receiver.   [player_tooltip player_id='1720069' first='Zion' last='Oliver'] DB, 2026 - Oliver will start at safety again after a productive junior season in which he 35 tackles in nine games. Both of his interceptions last fall came against fellow Class 5A programs. He also forced a fumble. His ability to tip the turnover margin further in the Redhawks' favor could lead to extra scoring opportunities for the offense.    [player_tooltip player_id='1734561' first='Carrington' last='Carter'] QB, 2026 - Carrington was subject to hot and cold streaks last season. Six of his 10 interceptions came during a four-game streak that started in late September. Burris said the quarterback has already made major strides in recent months, and having a pair of tailbacks will take some of the one-sidedness off of Carrington.   FILM REVIEW   Khameron Cunningham WR, 2026 - Cunningham can very much turn into a nuisance for opposing defenses. He's already very capable of being active pre-snap, and all that movement gives the offense some different ways to not only get the ball in his hands, but to cause a distraction for coverage of other receivers. Mix in the occasional end-around and the 5-foot-5, 135 pounder is going to make every bit of his diminutive size work for him and the Redhawks' offense.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Jayce Rios LB - The Redhawks' leading tackler in 2024 finished with 100 total stops, four tackles or loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.   Daniel Brown LB - Brown wrapped up his Westwood career with a 54-tackle senior season last fall. He also picked off a pass and recovered a fumble.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Jayven McClain DB, 2027 - The basketball standout has transitioned to the gridiron and is bringing his 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame to the secondary. He's worked in at corner and safety, and there's a chance he's going to play some receiver so Westwood can maximize his height.    [player_tooltip player_id='1312448' first='Jovan' last='Howard'] RB, 2028 - The 5-foot-9, 175-pound back-up tailback showed glimpses of rising up the ranks during his freshman season. In his five games (all in October or November), he averted 7.7 yards per carry and finished with 131 yards and three scores in the loss to Sumter alone.    The H-Back put on a show during a portion of the Carolinas Coaches Combines at West Florence in March, catching everything that was even remotely within his reach. He only appeared in four games for the Redhawks last season, but he's a big body who will immediately add to the blocking assignments while catching the occasional pass. As a sophomore, half of his four receptions went for touchdowns.

During talking season, players across the state talk about winning the state title. It's often more realistic for some than others.