Westmoore 2023 Football Preview

In spite of finishing the regular season with an overall record of 3-7, the Westmoore Jaguars claimed the fourth and final playoff spot in Class 6A-1 – their second trip to postseason play in two of the last four seasons. They were bounced from the playoffs on a cold blustery November night by the Owasso Rams.

Owasso lost to Bixby for the championship a few weeks later.

As head coach Lorenzo Williams heads into his eighth season at the helm, the Jaguars’ 2023 campaign already looks promising with experience and growth in all facets of the game.

OFFENSE

One of the welcome surprises for the Jaguars’ offense is a transfer QB from Southeast High School. Michael ‘MJ’ Graham (6’, 175lbs) is being given serious consideration to be the next signal caller for Westmoore. A two-sport star, Graham has already received offers from both Tulsa and Houston as a defensive back, in addition to his skills behind center. Last year for the Spartans in Class 5A, Graham threw for over 2,000 yards and, on defense, he had five interceptions.

Graham will have one of the best tight ends in Class 6A as a potential target, as well as a fellow two-way player on defense. Zane Zielny (6’4”, 230lbs) is back for his senior campaign.

With three offers already on the table from East Central University, New Mexico State and Columbia, Zielny has an opportunity to open the aperture for additional look-sees. When the Jags go with a double tight-end look, sophomore Jett McCoy will be another option over the middle.

Another target in the Jaguars’ aerial attack includes senior wideout Kolton Bennett (6’, 155lbs). Bennett added another state championship ring to his fingers after winning the 800-meter sprint in Class 6A. Look for Bennett to increase his number of receptions after hauling in 16 last year.

Jaden Hunter (5’8”, 150lbs), a junior, will be another alluring target.

Senior Matthew Evans (5’9”, 175lbs) returns as a cog in the Jags’ rushing this year. With over 400+ yards rushing in 2022, he will be joined by another Southeast transfer, Chauncey Law.

One of the most formidable offensive lines in Class 6A will be key to Westmoore’s success on offense. Three of the five down linemen have already received offers to play at the collegiate level. The beefy triumvirate includes James Williams (6’3”, 330lbs), who has offers from AF Academy and Southwest Baptist. Carlos Pardo (6’1”, 280lbs) is getting attention from at least a couple of the state’s Division II schools. Javian Council (6’1”, 265 lbs) got an offer from the University of

Toledo after seeing him run in the Jags’ jumbo set last year. He had three carries for 74 yards against Norman North including one for over 65+ yards.

DEFENSE

For Westmoore to have any success, they will have to be more physical defensively, especially true with some of the high-octane offenses they will face again this year.

Last season, the Jags surrendered, on average, nearly 33 points in each of the eleven games while scoring 17. Five games were played against five of the Tulsa-area Class 6A teams: Union, Jenks, Broken Arrow, Bixby and Owasso. Only the Jenks game was at home for the Jags. In those five games, those five teams averaged 46 points. If there’s a defensive unit that can bring those numbers down, this year’s version of Westmoore’s defense can.

Leading the way up front will be returning starter Danny Faboro (6’3”, 230lbs). He will be teamed with a couple of newcomers in Courtney Graham (6’4”, 230lbs) and Devin Lecroix (6’, 250lbs).

“These guys on the DL are very good, overall. They’re long and quick and will be very disruptive against the offenses we face this year,” said Williams, a proud and skilled defensive lineman in his own right at Missouri and later in the NFL.

The linebackers for the Jaguars are worth the price of admission alone. Seniors Tanner Fallwell (nickelback) and Connor Cavnar (middle linebacker) are the reincarnations of the Dynamic Duo. They are two of the hardest-hitting athletes to play the position, cover well, and create turnovers with fumbles and interceptions.

Both are excellent baseball players that are interchangeable in the infield as catchers and first basemen. In fact, both had a chance to participate with the Savanna Bananas when they played in Oklahoma City this summer.

Include Quest Morris (6’1”, 223lbs) and opponents know the Jags’ LBs are a force with which to be reckoned. Additional reserves include Jaeden Williams and Mark Fleeks, who saw quality action last year. Probably one of the deepest phases of Westmoore’s defense is the secondary. Anchored by highly sought-after Mykel Patterson-McDonald, the pass defense has become stronger with the addition of MJ Graham and his knack for grabbing balls out of the air thrown by opposing QBs. McDonald, with offers from several Power 5 schools including OU, Houston, Michigan State and Missouri, returns as the dean of the defensive backs. Graham’s brother, Mishaun, and Bennett will be included in the DB corps. Lookfor Mt. St. Mary’s transfer Keenan Estelle to see playing time in addition to punt and kick return duties.

Williams plans to utilize the place-kicking talents of sophomore Alazar Andrews, who has yet to see any varsity action. Westmoore recalls the difference the kicking game played last season and looks for more consistency this season.

Last year, the Jaguars were only a possession, turnover or field goal away from having at least a 5-5 record. Jenks was on the ropes in Game 5 and Enid’s domination in the second half of a 9-7 loss by the Jags was winnable.

“There were so many opportunities in 2022 for us to have a better season record,” Williams stated. “Our players know more clearly this year the difference it can make to not make turnovers, convert first downs, and take advantage of possessions in the red zone to put points on the board.”

Westmoore’s season schedule is home friendly. The three true road games include trips to Yukon and Choctaw in Weeks 2 and 3 and only one scheduled game in the Tulsa area at Jenks in Game 5.

This year’s version of Westmoore will be an intriguing one to follow as they pursue a second consecutive playoff berth in Class 6A.-19SM