Westwood eyes better results with new regime

Published 9:51 pm Thursday, August 11, 2011

Palestine Westwood experienced change atop the coaching staff midway through last season. No matter the outcome, such transitions rarely — if ever — spell out recent success.

In stepped Roger Mays.

The eighth-year Panthers assistant worked to reverse the mindset in the field house, using communication as his most valuable resource. The Panthers finished the season 0-10, but the new head coach was able to get his players and staff to unite for a common purpose.

“Last year, we know we didn’t have a great season,” said Mays, who took over on an interim basis before being named head coach after the season. “But we came together as a family.”

Entering the 2011 season, Westwood is hoping to turn things around and put a few in the win column. Returning five starters on each side of the ball, the Panthers’ strength is expected to be team unity and pride, Mays said.

“It’s a new beginning,” he said. “It’s what we make of it.”

Westwood brings back several players expected to stand out. That includes junior running back/defensive back Keke Hicks and sophomore fullback/linebacker Tadarius Edwards. It also includes senior lineman Colton Countryman and senior receiver/defensive back Jhamerrick Milton, among others. Hicks brings back 1,180 all-purpose yards from last season.

The Panthers begin the season at home on Aug. 26 against Chapel Hill, the potential state No. 1 coming off a Class 3A Division I final appearance. Other non-district opponents include Frankston, Bullard, Arp and Rusk. Westwood begins District 20-3A action Oct. 7 at Madisonville. The rest of the league schedule consists of Fairfield, Mexia and archrival Palestine.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine picked Westwood to finish last in district, but Mays expects the Panthers to challenge for a better spot. The magazine’s predicted order is Fairfield, Mexia, Madisonville, Palestine, Groesbeck and Westwood.

“I feel like top to bottom, it’s going to be very competitive and even,” Mays said. “There are four or five teams that will challenge for that third spot.”