Westlake

Warriors embrace tougher postseason challenge



QB HUNTER—Shayne Henley is a 6-foot-3, 250-pound All-Marmonte second-team defensive end.

QB HUNTER—Shayne Henley is a 6-foot-3, 250-pound All-Marmonte second-team defensive end.

Head coach: Jim Benkert (24th season)

2011 results: 14-1 (9-0 in league); CIF state finalist

The Warriors have it all.

Players. Coaches. Tradition. An exploding scoreboard.

On the heels of one of the greatest seasons in school history, the Westlake High football team embarks on a new epoch.

The Marmonte League has been reshuffled. Rivalries against Thousand Oaks and Moorpark are on hiatus until at least 2014.

And quarterback Justin Moore, one of the best players in Southern California heading into his senior season, walked away from the game this spring, opting to transfer to Royal and not play football. He still hasn’t said why publicly.

Head coach Jim Benkert said Moore’s absence creates “a huge void.”

Westlake has won two of the past three CIF-Southern Section Northern Division championships. But when the playoffs arrive this year, the Warriors and the rest of the league will join the merciless Pac-5 Division fray.

The unknown lurks ahead.

To their credit, the Warriors, who played in a state bowl game last year, embrace the challenge.

“It’s a great opportunity,” senior cornerback/running back Dashon Hunt said. “I’m really excited for the season. . . . Our goal as a team is to make it to the championship game. We set our bar high. When we practice, we practice every day like it’s a football game.”

Questions remain, but Westlake finds answers on a talented, dynamic roster.

Senior Tony Mekari is a tenacious, versatile lineman.

A University of Arizona commit, Mekari is a force wherever he suits up, including left tackle, de- fensive end and defensive tackle. And he’s no stranger to the big stage. WESTLAKE

“ I’ve been to three CIF championship games,” ST. BONNIEsaid the 6-foot-3, 265-pound @ Westlake Mekari. September

“You get the feel of what it takes to get there. They say the Pac-5 is the best division. Now we’re in it. We have a chance to prove we’re one of the best teams in Southern California.”

Shayne Henley, a senior defensive end, joins Mekari on an experienced defensive line that also features seniors Beau Hunsicker, Kyle Erickson and Brennan Ray.

A Division I talent, Henley uses speed and strength to harass quarterbacks.

“Last year we had a good bunch of guys (Justin Solis and Johnny

Stuart),” Henley said.

“We really learned from them. We’re going to keep working hard in practice. We’re going to give it our best shot to repeat.”

High Looking to fill 28 – 7 PM Moore’s giant shoes, senior quarterback Neil

Uskali is expected to start the Sat.,

Aug. 25 season opener against

Granite Bay at Del Oro.

Alex Egurbide, a 6- 5,

195-pound wide receiver, said he has confidence in Uskali, who is more of a traditional pocket passer than the speedy Moore, the Warriors’ second-leading rusher last season.

“He’s been looking great,”

Egurbide said of Uskali.

Junior Tommy Gonzales and sophomore Danny Hong—a promising transfer from Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)—are also getting valuable practice reps at quarterback.

Ray, a center/defensive tackle, plays with brothers Devin, an inside linebacker/right tackle, and Dylan, a running back/outside linebacker. The triplets also excel at lacrosse.

“When we’re blocking together,” Brennan Ray said, “we can accomplish anything.”

Devin Ray said the Warriors are united for a common goal.

“We know we have to work together,” he said. “It takes everyone to win.”

Guiding the team is Benkert, the winningest coach in Ventura County history with a career record of 204-75-5. The temperature soared during hell week, but Benkert still managed a smile.

“It’s hot. It’s miserable. That’s football, Benkert said. “We’ll be fine.”

PLAYER TO WATCH

Dashon Hunt

With former QB Justin Moore sitting out this season and enjoying life as a Royal High student, Hunt is the new face of Westlake football. Hunt is talented, tough, charismatic, charming and funny. He is a superstar in every sense of the word. The Warrior is a shutdown cornerback who will also be the go-to option at running back. The senior, who recently de-committed from UCLA, has 14 Division I offers on the table. Now at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Hunt is a faster, bigger, stronger and better football player than he was last year. That’s scary.

TOP RETURNERS

Tony Mekari, senior
DL/OL
Shayne Henley, senior
DE
Jake Rothschiller, senior
LB/WR
Beau Hunsicker, senior
DL
Alex Egurbide, junior
WR
Brennan Ray, senior
C/DT
Devin Ray, senior
RT/LB


 

 

 

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *