We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Westlake football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the team this season.
2021 Stats
- Overall Record: 10-3
- Points Scored: 503
- Points Against: 186
Key Losses
The Lions will lose some key pieces from last season’s 10-win team, including RB Zina Mulbah, who rushed for 32 TDs during his career at Westlake, with 1,912 rushing yards on 246 carries.
Another RB who graduated is Jakari Christian. He averaged right at a first down (9.8 yds per carry) every time he ran the ball, and accounted for 751 all-purpose yards with four TDs during his time as a Lion.
Other key losses include WR Travis Booker, who reeled in 36 catches for 392 yards and four TDs last season.
Safety Clayton Powell Lee was a defensive standout who will be missed for his coverage and tackling prowess. During his Westlake career, he ended up with 133 tackles and an interception.
Sack master Zion Young leaves Westlake looking to fill his big shoes on the defensive line. He had 112 tackles including 7.5 sacks last season, and now prepares to take on opponents as a member of the Michigan State University Spartans.
Who’s Back
New head coach Rico Zackery takes over for the departed Bobby May, who left the Lions for the Kell job. He’ll have a number of talented returners from last season, starting with quarterback RJ Johnson, who has 6,923 passing yards so far guiding the Lions offense.
Senior running back Jai’Den Thomas joins Johnson in the backfield again. The talented Thomas has rushed for 1,151 yards on 130 carries.
Everyone in the state is talking about super-sophomore Jabari Jones, who last season caught 17 passes for 339 yards and five TDs and added a rushing TD also.
Another standout sophomore returning is OT Juan Gaston, a monster of a lineman. Gaston stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs 340 pounds, and is obviously drawing tons of attention from practically every university in the country.
Returning defensive starters include CB Avieon Terrell, the brother of Atlanta Falcons shutdown corner AJ Terrell. He’s joined in the defensive backfield by safety Christian Peterson, a junior who, according to coach Zackery, has several Power 5 school offers.
Another piece of the Lions DB group is Jerico Washington, who Zackery says will circulate among all four DB spots, from corner to corner and both safety positions.
The defensive line features three returning underclassmen who are all receiving major college attention: juniors Kendall Farmer and Harper Holliman and sophomore Sakou Peters.
What To Expect
Coach Zackery is inheriting a super-talented Westlake team that won 10 games last season and will shock everyone if they don’t win at least that many again this year. Half of the defense is being heavily recruited, and the offense will have RJ Johnson, who many consider to be the best dual-threat QB in the state.
On a team that never has a problem scoring points with a defensive unit that could be the best the Lions have ever fielded, the makings are in place for a championship-caliber team. They’ve been knocking on the door, and Zackery says it’s “time to take this team to the next level.”
Westlake does jump up to Class 7A this season, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing, moving away from Hughes and into a region in which Carrollton is likely to be the toughest obstacle to a region title.
Prediction
It’s hard to imagine this team not making a serious run towards a state title with the massive amounts of talent returning: 13 wins should be enough to get them there.
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