By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor 

What do you do for an encore after one of the best seasons in school history? You do it again – and add in a district title just for good measure.

That’s what Westlake senior running back Ryan Swope managed to do in 2008,  tallying 1,245 yards rushing, 336 yards receiving and 20 total touchdowns while leading Westlake to a share of the District 25-5A title. Such production makes Swope the Westlake Picayune’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Austin High’s Emory Blake made a strong case for Player of the Year by leading the potent Maroon attack in rushing and receiving, but his team dropped three district games.

In contrast, Swope did the bulk of his damage in district play. He averaged 178 yards from scrimmage in seven district games and scored all but two of his regular-season touchdowns against 25-5A competition.