Is this the year: West looking for big breakthrough in 2012

Times may be a changing for Plano West football.

After multiple seasons of being picked toward the bottom of the district, many sources have tabbed the 2012 Wolves as not only a playoff contender, but the most likely challenger to end Allen's six-year run of district titles.

"We feel good about the guys we have on this team," said Mike Hughes, West head coach. "Then you take the fact we have all of Shepton (High School) feeding in and will have all of Jasper (High School) feeding in as of next year and we think this program is on the verge of something big."

The West players have taken note of that.

"We are convinced we can make it to the playoffs," said Jake Wodka, West senior linebacker.

Making the playoffs would be a welcome change for the Wolves, who missed the postseason the last two years in District 8-5A after having qualified the previous four seasons (2006-09). West has a new district to navigate this season as the Wolves move to 10-5A alongside Allen, Plano East, Plano Senior, McKinney Boyd and McKinney.

"Yes, we feel we can challenge for a district title," Hughes said.

West's confidence starts on offense where the team has six players back (senior quarterback Travis Korry, junior running back Auston Anderson, senior wide receivers Zac Gideo and Austin Copeland, senior center Parker Murry and junior right tackle Zach White) that started portions or all of 2011 and parlayed that experience into a strong summer.

"From a 7-on-7 perspective, this was probably the best summer we've ever had," Hughes said.

Korry, who moved up from JV to become the starter in 2011, led that charge.

"Travis has really improved his mechanics and arm strength since last season," Hughes said. "Here is a kid that understands the offense so well and is really good at reading defense, plus he is all about the team and everyone likes him."

Korry, who will be backed up by sophomores Colton Hepp and Zach Norris this season, was quick to push that praise off himself and to his receivers.

"We built up a lot of chemistry over the summer," he said, "so I'm definitely confident in the guys we have."

Look for Gideo and Copeland to start in the slot while seniors Connor Doyle and Connor Hubbard line up on the outside. West likes to rotate receivers in its frequently mid-range passing game though, so expect seniors Trevor Thomas and Kionne Love to be targeted as well.

That being said, West will likely be a run-based team.

In addition to Korry (who ran for 602 yards and eight touchdowns last season) being a threat with his legs, the Wolves backfield features Anderson (who rushed for 330 yards and four scores last year) and sophomore Sotonya Jamabo, who is known around campus as "Soso."

When brining up Soso, Hughes just smiles and says, "Whew ... man."

Anderson and Jamabo have big shoes to fill as Carlos Wiggins (a converted wide out) ran for 1,353 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011 before signing with New Mexico.

"Carlos was good, but we have two guys that are just as good as him in Auston and Soso," Hughes said. "We also have (senior) Richard Turner, who has really impressed. These guys are legit running backs with quickness, field vision and the ability to cut."

Korry is also enamored with the team's backfield.

"Auston has put in a lot of work during conditioning and practice, so you can tell he is ready for a breakout year," he said. "And then Soso, he is so fast, you just have to see those breakaway moves."

Those moves will come behind a uniquely structured offensive line.

West will still roll out the typical five players with junior Cody Arledge at left tackle, senior Pirouz Kaimalipour at left guard, Murray at center, junior Chase Woods at right guard and White at right tackle. The Wolves will also, however, have a second-team offensive line rotating into the game that consists of senior Stephan Randall, sophomore Ejoo Kim, junior Andrew Mellon, senior Allan Rostro and sophomore Jordan Diggs.

"Depth is a big advantage this team has over last year," Hughes said. "We have size and athleticism, so we are planning on using two offensive and defensive lines, which we believe will help us stay fresh come the fourth quarter."

As Hughes said, West's 4-3 defense will employ the same tactic.

Set to play defensive tackle for the Wolves are Randle, seniors Jordan Hall, Tucker Hill and junior Josh Webb. Defensive end will be filled by seniors Nick Green, Rel Cooper, Mason Gentry and junior Lance Cottrell. Cottrell is the younger brother of Bryce, who signed with Texas in the spring.

"Lance is a raw kid with a ton of potential," Hughes said, "you just want to see it on the field."

With all-district linebacker Mike Mitchell transferring back to Prestonwood Christian Academy, West has only two returning starters on defense (Wodka and senior cornerback Davis Roeschke).

"I know we lost Mike and a bunch of seniors, but I'm still extremely confident in our defense," Wodka said. "We've still got the same coaches and the same tactics from last season and then we have experience in the defensive backfield and a lot of potential in the front seven."

Wodka knows of what he speaks as Hughes called him the "quarterback of the defense."

"That's probably accurate because they send the plays in to me and then I get it to the rest of the players," Wodka said. "But that also means I have to always be on the top of my game too; it would be hypocritical of me if I wasn't."

Wodka is the team's middle linebacker with senior Reggie Howard and junior Oshen Matheson on the outside and the trio of seniors Michael Cerrone, Ryan Drei and junior Parker Dunn providing depth.

West also has a variety of players prepared to patrol the defensive backfield, but Tim Okposin will not be among them as the senior was not cleared for contact.

"Tim is a really, really good athlete that could probably play quarterback, running back, linebacker or safety," Hughes said. "Unfortunately he hasn't been cleared from the accident he had last year and he won't be cleared this season, so we have to try and move on."

Roeschke, who had three interceptions last season, should help with that process.

"Davis is a three-year starter," Hughes said. "He is a football player that has tremendous quickness and just finds a way to get to the ball."

Roeschke and senior Collin Eberle should line up at corner with seniors Logan Caillouet and John Rind at safety, where coming up to tackle is a must in the West system. Junior Corey Barnes and sophomore Chad Reed will be in the defensive backfield mix as well.

The special teams rotation features returning senior Zakk Myer on field goal duty while sophomore Damon Foncham handles kickoffs and punts.

West begins the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it hosts former district foe Flower Mound Marcus at Clark Stadium.

"One of the things we have to focus on is not letting expectations affect us," Wodka said. "We know we have the potential to be a great team, but we have to actually go out on the field and back that up."

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