H.S. FOOTBALL: O-line could say a lot about Westview

MARTIN – Westview head football coach Don Coady is a football coach who could be described as one who “keeps it real.” He’s never been one to put too much praise or criticism on a team – someone else’s or his own.

He didn’t mince words when talking overall about his team.

“If we had more experience on the offensive line, I’d feel better this time around going in,” Coady said. “But it’s almost like we’re starting from scratch with everybody that graduated off last year’s team. If the line players start playing well and do it quickly, then I will begin to feel better about the team. But until we get them out there playing, you never know what they’re going to do.”

The returning players like Landon Pitcher, Ladrell Starnes and J’Von Cavitt experienced enough close games in 2013 they should be mentally ready for any challenges and close games that come up this year.

The win over Dresden came with a field goal late in the fourth quarter. The loss to Huntingdon was by a point and could’ve gone either way. The Week 10 road win at Crockett County that secured District 13-AA runner-up came on a long field goal in the last second.

The playoff win over Jackson Central-Merry saw the Charger defense have to fight off an athletic offense from the Cougars. Westview was within two minutes of the state semifinals had Lewis County not preserved its perfect season up to that point with a long pass play similar to the miracle play that helped Auburn beat Georgia last year.

“You win some of those games, and you lose some,” Coady said about that Lewis County loss. “The thing is you’ve got to be ready to make the play when those plays come along.”

Brandon Shields, 425-9751

Westview Chargers

• 2013 record: 9-4

• Ty Brown, who was one of the Charger seniors last year, will walk on this year at UT Martin.

• The Chargers will play seven regular season games on artificial turf this season. They have five home games scheduled, and the opener against Dresden at their home field at UTM is technically a road game. The Chargers will also travel to Dyersburg, who had turf installed on their field last year.