Last year's West Henderson High football team had a historic run, going undefeated for 13 straight games before losing in the 3-A state quarterfinals.
Now, the Falcons are hoping to carry on that momentum with a new senior class, veteran coach Paul Whitaker told News 13.
"It's high school football...that senior class graduates and then you get the next one. They want to keep this program moving forward and you know we tell them it's harder to stay on top than it is to get to the top," Whitaker said. "So that's been their motivation that, you know, they don't want to be the ones that you know let Mills River down and West Henderson down. They want to keep going forward."
West's team last year was full of seasoned veterans, including N.C. State baseball signee Truitt Manuel, who averaged 100 yards receiving per game, and linebacker Eben Mann, who led the Falcons in tackles with 80, including 68 solo stops. Prior to its loss against Hickory, West's defense limited its opponents to an average of 10.5 points per game.
The Falcon offense put up big numbers, too, averaging just over 42 points per game, and Whitaker said he knows that will be a challenge to replace that group.
"Losing all of that offensive firepower that we had, we just need some of the younger guys to step up," Whitaker said. "Our quarterback (Cade Young) is coming back, but he's not throwing to the same receivers. Some of them ran as backups last year, so just another year of getting to know each other and maybe the playbook changes a little bit, but I think we've got a chance."
Aiding in that challenge will be the addition of Chase transfer Da'Zion Murray, who had 1,100 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns in his junior year. Whitaker also feels confident in Young, who threw for 1,836 yards with 19 touchdowns in his sophomore season.
"Just another year old basically in his reads," Whitaker said. "The offense and the patterns are still the same, just different receivers running the routes. Right now, we're trying to get him to throw the ball on time and trying to get him to throw it away when we need to."
West opens the season at home on Aug. 23 against Newton-Conover and will follow with a county-rivalry game on Aug. 30 at home against Hendersonville.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSWest Henderson looking to rebuild after historic run last season (wlos.com)
