Westport spruces up facilities and offense, defense, too

Source: The Star

Mike Ransdell | The Kansas City Star

Westport’s Brian Townsend (right) took off up the middle against East last Friday night at a four-team jamboree.

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Westport football coach Dan Stanley, several current Tigers, families, friends and even a former player, Mike Whittmore, pulled together in the off-season to spruce up the school’s locker room.

Hours spent repairing and painting old lockers has jazzed up the place, and now with the 2009 season on the horizon, Stanley hopes the makeover extends to the football field.

A longtime coach in his second tour of duty at Westport, Stanley has brought in defensive coordinator Danny Fitzmorris, whom he once recruited at Missouri Valley College.

Fitzmorris played and coached in Europe and now has rearranged Westport’s defense. Also, Tigers offensive coordinator and coaching veteran Ed Russell has implemented a no-huddle look.

“Our kids are picking it up,” Stanley said, “and it could make us a better team if we can stay healthy.”

That’s a big “if” because Westport ended the second week of full practice with only about 30 players.

Stanley expects most starters to go both ways, and he said the Tigers can’t afford injuries on an already small roster.

Several players expected to make an impact include senior running backs Brian Townsend and Theo Johnson as well as new players Xavier Herring, Jordan Frazier and Chris Hester. Senior Concepcion Rosa leads the offensive line along with senior Dominick Bell, and junior Victor Hoskins returns as one of the leading tacklers.

“We worked awfully hard over the winter,” Stanley said. “I think we have a chance of being a better football team. At this point in time, it’s hard to say that. (But) we’re more organized as a coaching staff, and I have my whole staff back.”

submitted by CANDACE BUCKNER - 2009-08-25 11:41:02