HEAD COACH
Jordan Cantrell (second season, 3-7 last year) has been coaching
football at West Limestone for nine years.
OVERALL
Despite last season’s record, the
Wildcats have entered the season riding some momentum.
The Wildcats return eight starters on offense and nine on defense.
HOW ARE THEY DOING THIS SEASON?
Brooks 28, West Limestone 7
Brooks took control early and used a strong defensive effort to beat West Limestone.
Deshler 40, West Limestone 19
Hunter Hill ran for
three touchdowns and threw for another as Deshler took advantage of four
West Limestone turnovers to pull away with the win.
West Limestone 26, East Limestone 6It was 1999 since West Limestone (1-1) defeated county rival East Limestone (0-1).
West Limestone 26, East Limestone 6It was 1999 since West Limestone (1-1) defeated county rival East Limestone (0-1).
Tanner 28, West Limestone 21
Tanner
scored on an 80-yard kickoff return with 10:41 left in the game to give them the win over West Limestone in a see-saw thriller.
OFFENSE
When Blankenship moves from quarterback, Chase Lancaster (5-11, 205, Jr.) moves over from his running back spot. Graham Pepper (5-10, 155, Soph.) also will take some snaps.
DEFENSE
The Wildcats also have changed the defense. It has a multitude of formations designed for different situations. Blankenship is described as the “general” in charge of the defense from his free safety position. Shedd, Rogers and Clem star on the defensive line. Lancaster is a big-play guy at rover. Tanner Walker (5-8, 170, Jr.) returns at linebacker. Cole Smith (5-8, 160, Jr.) is at safety, with Alex Maples (6-2, 175, Jr.) at cornerback.
One reason for the 2014 late season
turnaround was a change on offense. After scoring just 40 points in the
first five games, the Wildcats switched from the run-oriented Wing-T to
more of a pro-style attack with the quarterback in the shotgun formation
throwing the ball more often.
That style of offense will
continue this season. It takes advantage of the skills of Reed
Blankenship (6-2, 175, Jr.), who will shift from quarterback to receiver
to running back. Last year, Blankenship led the team in rushing with 700 yards and six touchdowns on
70 carries and in receiving with 21 receptions for 402 yards and three
touchdowns.
When Blankenship moves from quarterback, Chase Lancaster (5-11, 205, Jr.) moves over from his running back spot. Graham Pepper (5-10, 155, Soph.) also will take some snaps.
Other players to watch for on
offense are backs Nick Freeman (5-9, 160, Jr.), Reed Walker (5-8, 160,
Jr.) and Cody Shedd (5-10, 215, Sr.). On the line, it’s Cody Smith (6-0,
240, Jr.), Brayden Clem (5-10, 210, Sr.) and Eli Rogers (6-0, 205,
Sr.). Returning at tight end is Andrew Thornton (6-4, 190, Jr.).
DEFENSE
The Wildcats also have changed the defense. It has a multitude of formations designed for different situations. Blankenship is described as the “general” in charge of the defense from his free safety position. Shedd, Rogers and Clem star on the defensive line. Lancaster is a big-play guy at rover. Tanner Walker (5-8, 170, Jr.) returns at linebacker. Cole Smith (5-8, 160, Jr.) is at safety, with Alex Maples (6-2, 175, Jr.) at cornerback.
“We have more depth on defense than we’ve ever had,” Cantrell said. “We can rotate a lot of people.”
ITEMS OF INTEREST
- West Limestone has 41 players. Just five are seniors. The 17 juniors make up almost half of the team. “They have always been winners in every sport they have played,” Cantrell said. “They don’t like to lose.”
Three of the juniors — Blankenship, Lancaster and Maples — played on West Limestone’s state championship basketball team.
- Cantrell expects to see another dogfight in the region that sent Deshler, Wilson, Elkmont and Central to the playoffs in 2014.
- When Cantrell arrived at West Limestone in 2007, the school’s football coaching staff consisted of him and head coach David Arnsparger. In 2015, West Limestone will have six coaches for the varsity and two more for the middle school program.
source: Decatur Daily
ROSTER
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