Westfall building a path to success ahead of 2023 football season

WILLIAMSPORT − Westfall is on the cusp of a come up.

The Mustangs are within sight of their own goals. They've kept their goals reasonable and reachable under coach Logan Stepp, and much of their focus heading into the 2023 season has been on growth. Stepp, now in his second year with the program, has spent much of the offseason building off of what he started last year.

"Building champions is what our mission statement is," Stepp said. "Last year, the goal was to get numbers out, get guys ready to compete and build the program. This year, we're building off that. Our scheme on defense, offense, special teams, all that's been installed last year, so we're trying to continue that and get better at the individual technique part of the game."

By and large, much of the growth that stole away much of Westfall's focus is out of the way. The Mustangs haven't stopped learning since last season, but now they're ready to put their long-term plans into action.

A little older, a little wiser

One of the Mustangs' biggest challenges in 2022 was working with a bottom-heavy roster. Now, the roster is older, and with age comes more experience. The Mustangs have become accustomed to Stepp's system, and practices thus far have adapted to suit that growth.

The youth that defined Westfall is fading away. A year of experience is better than nothing, and it's come to benefit Stepp and his players thus far. Most, if not every player on the field for Westfall this season will have at least a year's worth of game-time experience.

"We're older on defense, we're older on offense," Stepp said. "We lost a few seniors that were key players for us, but the good part of that is we played a lot. We rotated a lot last year with our young guys, so everybody on the field will have at least a year of experience varsity-wise."

Achievable goals

The Mustangs have simple goals in mind. They've had it in the back of their thoughts since last season ended, in fact. Just two simple goals have driven them this season: break even with their overall record, and qualify for a playoff spot.

On paper, the first goal seems more difficult than need be. The Mustangs finished 2-8 last season, and their only win in the Scioto Valley Conference came against Southeastern. But the Mustangs came close to padding their record on multiple occasions. They lost to both Piketon and Huntington by just four points, and they gave Adena and nonconference opponent Circleville a fight in their matchup last season.

"We all want to go .500 or better, that's the team goal this year," senior wide receiver Trent Walters said. "Our defensive coordinator, he stresses it a lot, he wants a first-round playoff game, and we're all right there with him. We want a first-round playoff game."

The Mustangs' playoff hopes aren't far-flung, either. Other Division V teams have reached the postseason with an even record. The close games that came up short last year have only driven the Mustangs to improve. They know where their skills lie, and they believe that can earn them a spot.

Fill the ranks

The Mustangs will be without key pieces of last year's roster thanks to graduation. Casey Cline leaves a big hole in the wide receivers unit after racking up 716 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last year, Hunter Probasco formed a big part of the Mustangs' offensive line and AJ Shoults proved a solid running back.

But the Mustangs have plenty of returning talent as well. Jaden Towler, Peyton Moll and John Siders have all returned for another year, and Stepp anticipates all three to play pivotal roles on the field. Plus, Bryce Wickline is back under center for his senior year, and Walters is prepared to step as the senior receiver. Wickline accumulated a 59.7% completion percentage and passed for 16 touchdowns last season, while Walters picked up 654 yards on 46 receptions.

Walters, in his final year with the Mustangs, is looking to ensure 2023 is a season to remember for both himself and his teammates.

"It's my senior year, so I'm really just trying to go show up for my last year, leave everything on the field and do as best as I can," Walters said. "I'm not really a big vocal guy, but I like to show by example. I think a lot of the younger guys look up to me and my position group, so I try to do everything right all the time because I know they're watching."

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Westfall building a path to success ahead of 2023 football season