By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

Although 100-degree temperatures greeted approximately 140 varsity and junior varsity football players on the first day of practice Monday, the Chaps had more worries than the heat.

From a coaching staff entering its first preseason workouts at Westlake to an inexperienced corps of receivers, the Chaps have a few questions to address before the season opener Aug. 28 at Cedar Park:

 1. How quickly will the Chaps pick up a new system? Spring ball expedited the learning process on both sides of the ball, but don’t expect Westlake to click on all cylinders in nondistrict play. Offensively, the Chaps have utilized tenets of their now-base spread offense in the past, so the adjustment might not prove that difficult for veteran quarterback Tanner Price and his unit. Westlake’s defense, however, has undergone a seismic shift from its base 3-4 to a matchup look that will vary each week. Keep an eye on the defense’s communication during workouts and scrimmages.

2. Speaking of that defense, what’s the primary concern? Without a doubt, the defensive line. Louie Swope and Sean Potter anchor a solid secondary, and underrated Ellis Glaw and Bryce Hager return at linebacker. The d-line, however, lost its biggest playmakers in Omar Ontiveros and David Durham. Someone will have to emerge as a disruptive force before the Cedar Park game.   

3. Is Hager a full-time linebacker, then? More than likely, but watch where he lines up in the scrimmage against McNeil on Aug. 21 to get a better clue of how much time he’ll spend on offense. Hager impressed at running back in the spring, but the emergence of Van Gramman convinced the Westlake coaches to keep the senior on defense. Don’t forget: Hager had 95 tackles and three interceptions while earning all-district honors a year ago

4. Who will catch the most passes from Price? Perhaps the biggest offensive question of the preseason. According to Allman, the Chaps have up to six wideouts that impressed during the spring and summer workouts. However, only two – Colin Shaw and Tim Dunn – have caught passes in a varsity game. And they combined for just three catches last season. Pay attention to Miles Berger, who has impressed the Chap coaches.