6A- Region 2 Preview- Westlake

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 record: 3-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Key Games:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday, August 15- at Highland<br>Friday, August 22- Pleasant Grove<br>Friday, August 29- at Bingham<br>Friday, September 5- at South San Francisco (CA)<br>Friday, September 12- Woods Cross <br><br>This is a critical start to the season, if they can reel off consecutive wins and come out of the midway point at 3-2 or 4-1, they'll have momentum the rest of the way.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Hardest Games:<br><br>Friday, September 19- at Herriman<br>Friday, October 17- at Mountain Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have two tough games on their schedule. They drew a somewhat friendly schedule this season and have majority of their road games early on in the season. It's important that they stay afloat in those first five games as they can lost these two games and still make a run at postseason play and come away with a puncher's chance in the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Outlook:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not the most difficult schedule, but they lost a lot of production on both sides of the ball. They gain a quality signal caller, and that'll alleviate some concerns. If they can survive that first five games of the season, they could be looking at a six-win season and playing with house money in the postseason. <br><br>Key Players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1681359"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fa554260be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fountaine lands at a perfect spot for him to showcase his talent for a year and put together some varsity film. He's got good arm talent, places the ball well for his receivers, keeps it out of danger, and he's able to stretch the field with his arm. Westlake will rely on him if they plan on making a deep push into postseason play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944657"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fa55426116"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor is the key to unlocking the Westlake offense. He'll be asked to take on a large role. He's a three-down back with good vision, lateral quickness, and physicality to his game. He has soft hands as a receiver and doesn't fight the ball. Westlake loses a lot of production in the receiving room, and Taylor will be asked to be part of that, and he'll hold the keys to the offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689469"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fa5542615c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sika is perhaps the player with the highest ceiling of anyone on the team. He's a basketball player who is converting to football. He has good athletic traits, moves well, and is athletically gifted enough to make the transition. The receiving room is in a transition period, and Sika has every shot at being a key playmaker this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["720482"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fa5542619c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Afuvai was a two-way player last year, and it's likely he'll do so again. He was an effective runner. He showcases good footwork, vision, and quickness as a runner. He has the speed to make defenders miss in the open field and close for home. His primary position will be at linebacker, and this is where he shines. Great instincts, a great explosive first step, sheds blocks with ease, has good hip fluidity, and good tackling form. His athletic nature allows him to be a versatile backer; he can rush the passer and drop back in coverage and disrupt passing windows. He's an exceptional backer who is primed to flirt with 100 tackles this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["876933"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fa554261dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson had a good showing last year and he'll be asked for big things in the offense. He has good size, is a red zone and green zone threat with his catch radius and strong hands. He has good speed for his size and is a player who is primed for a breakout. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1082091"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fa5542621a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leilua will be a key part of the offensive line. He has a good frame and size. He is quick on his feet and has a good first step. He moves well laterally and has quick hands. He is good at run blocking, is light on his feet and will pull with ease, and can get to the second level, and in pass protection, does a good job of keeping his rusher in front of him and stymying his advancement. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["717888"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fa55426258"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leausa has a big frame and size to be at the tackle position and is versatile enough to move inside if needed. He has good strength and physicality to his game. He is a mauling offensive lineman who does his best work with the run game. He easily gets to the second level and looks for contact. He moves well laterally, has quick hands, and does well in pass protection. He'll be a key starter along that offensive line group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692860"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fa55426294"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Afuvai has an exceptional future ahead of him, and he made an immediate impact last year. That experience is going to do wonders for him this year. He'll lead that defensive back unit. He showcases good range, overall speed, has great lateral quickness, and is not afraid to get physical and help in run support. He's a player that could grow into a STAR position where he is moving all around presnap and fill in where needed. Exceptional talent. Power-Four potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That was our look at Westlake.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->