We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Westside football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Seminoles this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 7-4
- Points Scored: 335
- Points Allowed: 253
Key Losses
Westside will miss DT Donjuan McGee, who’s considered to be one of the best tackles to ever suit up for the Seminoles, according to head football coach Spoon Risper. McGee will continue his football career at Hobart College in New York after recording 104 tackles as a senior in 2022, including 27 TFL. DE Justin Walker, who Risper called “the spark plug of our defense,” also will be missed. He is headed to Wingate University in North Carolina to play football.
Offensively, Risper told ITG Next that the team will miss two of its top receivers who are graduating, Lavontae “Simba” Miley and Savion Ellington. Miley enjoyed a strong senior season with 462 yards receiving and 4 TDs, while Ellington ended his high school career with 562 yards receiving and 7 TDs over the past two seasons. He is headed to play college football at Central State University in Ohio.
Who’s Back
The Seminoles will return a solid core of talent this season, including senior WR/DB Jiquavious Marshall, who has committed to Kentucky. According to Risper, he’ll play cornerback for the Wildcats. Senior WR Silas Risper, who has 19 catches and 2 TDs heading into his final season, gives the Seminoles another solid receiver this year. He has been offered by Reinhardt University and the University of the South already.
Senior Tony Mathis is a highly recruited three-star DB who returns after a junior season that saw the safety register 71 tackles and an INT. Other key returnees include ATH Jessie Bell, who will see time at RB, SS, and as a backup QB again this year. Senior lineman Michael Horton is also back, as is junior OT Jaden Dawson.
Sophomore James Neville, who will return as the team’s QB, became the first freshman in school history to start at that position, and it’s safe to say he passed the test. Neville threw for 1,922 yards and 18 TDs and ran for 118 yards and 3 scores. Returning at RB is junior Kadiphius Iverson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, giving him 1,382 total rushing yards in his Westside career so far. He had 14 TD’s last season, giving him 18 total.
What to Expect
Coach Risper has this Westside team ready for a breakout season. With a starting sophomore QB who is playing with the poise of a senior, and a supporting cast of talent returning on both offense and defense, this 2023 Westside football team has all the elements for a winning formula. There is talent returning at receiver, running back, on the line – essentially everywhere. Risper said his team has worked hard in the weight room this offseason, and it’s paid off.
“I’ve been very pleased with how much bigger and faster we’ve gotten this offseason,” he said.
Riser is beginning his 26th season as a Westside football coach, with just one losing campaign during that entire time. There won’t be much losing in 2023 with this group of Seminoles. Look for Westside to challenge for a region title in the always tough Region 2-4A.
Prediction
9-4 record for the Seminoles this year.
Game to Watch
Against Perry on September 29.
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