Agoura to lean heavily on multitalented Wells

The start of the football season is less than a month away, and Agoura's football team is preparing to go deep into the playoffs.

With Eric Wells now entering his third season on the varsity level, the Chargers are definitely headed in the right direction.

Last year Wells terrified opposing offenses as he posted 46 tackles and five sacks. This year, he looks to cause just as much havoc, even though he's changing his position from defensive line to linebacker.

"He has played linebacker before in our program," Agoura head coach Charlie Wegher said.

"Last year he played defensive end because that is where we needed him to play. This year, we are comfortable that he will help us more at linebacker."

Wells made his debut playing linebacker two years ago during his sophomore season, his first on the varsity level. Wells was the only sophomore on the team that year, and even though he was honored, he was still a little intimidated.

"I was a little scared because I didn't really know any of the seniors on the team," Wells said. "But the team was a tight-knit family and I got comfortable playing with them real fast."

TWO-WAY PLAYER-Agoura's Eric Wells was one of the finest defensive linemen in the Marmonte League as a junior, posting 46 tackles and five sacks. This season, the Chargers have moved Wells to linebacker, where the coaching staff expects him to excel. He'll also see time at running back for AHS this fall. Right off the bat, Wegher knew Wells would become an immediate factor as he was voted one of the captains of the team during his junior year.

"By his sophomore year, he was clearly one of the five best linemen in the program, so it was natural that he would be a varsity starter," Wegher said. "He has outstanding quickness and balance and very low leverage. He can deliver explosive contact and although he is a nice young man, he plays aggressively and a little nasty at times."

Wells will look to contribute on offense this year as the Chargers have decided to use him as a running back in addition to his linebacking duties.

"I was watching film with Coach Wegher when he asked me out of the blue what I thought about possibly playing running back this year," Wells said. "I told him 'yes,' and I'm very excited about playing it this year."

Last year Wells actually had one carry for zero yards and a touchdown, though he said that play was lucky for him as the ball was on the 1-inch line and they needed a score.

Agoura is hoping he can get even more red zone opportunities this fall.

"For moving him to running back, we just looked at his 4.7 (second) 40-yard dash time, his 31-inch vertical leap and his natural quickness, and decided he was one of our best candidates," Wegher said. "He catches the ball well and is one of the best blockers on the team. It would have been stupid not to move him there."

Wells has received offers from Fresno St, and the Universities of Hawaii and Utah to go to college and play linebacker, although he's still unsure where he's heading. Until then, Wells thinks this season's Charger team will be very competitive.

"I think this year we are a closer group than the year before," Wells said. "A lot of the starters are now in their second year here, so I think that will be good for us." Wells said he's learned much

from his coaches, including Wegher, who Wells said has helped him become a better person and taught him to never talk back.

"The thing our coaches love about Eric is that he is totally dependable in that we know he is always going to be at practice working as hard as he can," Wegher said. "Combine his attitude, discipline and work ethic with his outstanding God-given talent, and you have a very elite football player."