14 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2017 Westlake: Ram seniors saturate starting lineup By Rodrick Anderson having a premier back in the [email protected] I-formation.” Junior Mark Ashworth is The Westlake Rams are hop- back at quarterback after com- ing 2017 will be the season that pleting 57.8 percent of his passes all their hard work under third- as a sophomore. year head coach Phil Fontenot “Just watching him this finally pays off. spring, and with his huddle pres- “It was a test of patience, ence and the questions he asks but I knew that when I got the in meetings, you can tell he has job,” Fontenot said. “Having the grown up,” Fontenot said. two years under our belts, even Ned, January and Ashworth though we didn’t win a lot of will have a solid shield up from games, we saw improvement. thanks to a senior-laden offen- “I don’t think there is any sive line led by returning start- question that we will have a lot ers Hunter Witherwax (Sr./LG), better football team right now Caden Powers (Sr./C) and Evan than we did last year at this Goss (Jr./RT) as well as seniors time.” Chris Duran (LT) and Ryan Fontenot thinks the Rams just Fournet (RG). need a taste of winning to get Senior Andrew Treme will back on track. start at tight end while the Rams “We feel like we have the op- will borrow basketball star Lon- portunity to be a lot better and if don Vinson and baseball player we can get a little luck and win a Zac Ardoin for the receiver couple early in the year, I think corps. it is going to snowball and this The Rams will have an all- community is going to go nuts,” senior secondary in Cason Page, Fontenot said. Julian Mejias, Chris Cline, One reason for Westlake’s op- Gamaric Manuel and January. timism is a starting lineup made “We have a lot of experience,” up of mostly seniors with only Fontenot said. “Chris Cline is six juniors and a freshman. one of our best athletes on our To take better advantage of team and we are going to try to running backs Brevan Ned and make him a lockdown corner.” Joseph January, a pair of return- The front seven in the Rams’ ing senior starters, the Rams are 3-4 defense will be led by a pair switching from the spread to the of junior returning starters in slot-t formation. nose guard Cedric Francis and “Everyone that is going to linebacker Michael Harlow. play us knows that those two Defensive ends will be senior guys are going to touch the Kyle Miller and freshman Eli ball,” Fontenot said. “What the Goss while seniors Alex Ma- Rick Hickman / American Press offense does is that it gives your yeaux, Jonathon Koonce and Westlake’s Brevan Ned (35) gets through a hole for a big gain during the first half of the Ram’s and Gent’s 2016 matchup play makers an opportunity to Ned will be in the mix at line- at Westlake High School. touch the football more than just backer. 01006223 Sept. 1 DeQuincy Oct. 6 at Washington-Marion* Sept. 8 at Crowley Oct. 13 Jennings* Sept. 15 at Leesville Oct. 20 Lake Arthur Sept. 21 LCCP* Oct. 26 at St. Louis* Locations in SCHEDULE Sulphur, Welsh, Dequincy, Sept. 29 Iowa* Nov. 3 South Beauregard* Westlake, Moss Bluff & Vinton to serve you. Ask us about *District Games Highland & Prien Memorial Parks. SH01005456 BEST OF LUCK THIS SEASON! GO RAMS! Lloyd’s Country Store & Seal Properties 337-540-3925 • 318 Phillips Road Westlake, LA COMING SEPT. 9TH! is the premier TV • 100+ Channel Listings • Sports Watch • Celebrity News • Critics’ Reviews • TV Crossword, Sudoku DON’T MISS IT! Subscribe today by calling 337-494-4040 Your best news and advertising source! 3210 Napoleon St. • Sulphur, La 70663 Offi ce • (337) 533-8184 Fax • (337) 533-8271 01005960 PROUDLY SUPPORTING SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA FOOTBALL TEAMS .