By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

With starting quarterback Tanner Price sitting out Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage as a precaution, sophomore understudy Lewis Guilbeau stole the show.

Before a crowd of approximately 1,800 at Chaparral Stadium, Guilbeau accounted for all three of the Chaps’ touchdowns while splitting time with Preston Dewey on the starting unit. The 5-foot-8 inch, 185-pound Guilbeau scored twice on the ground, including a 40-yard sprint in which he pulled away from the secondary. He also tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Digiovanni after rolling out to avoid pressure.

“Lewis made it exciting,” Westlake coach Darren Allman said. “He moved the offense and did a good job in the passing game. Really, both our quarterbacks got the ball downfield. That was something we were looking for from the offense.”

Guilbeau connected on eight of 12 passes for 137 yards when working primarily with the first team. He also led the team in rushing with 113 yards on nine carries.

“I love that kid,” Chap linebacker Ellis Glaw said. “He works his butt off, and he was amazing today. Scoring three touchdowns speaks for itself.”

Aside from Guilbeau’s scrambles, the Westlake running game had trouble getting on track against the quick Chap defense. Glaw had a strong game with several stops behind the line of scrimmage and a sack, while defensive linemen Roy Schwartz and Alex Putnam consistently plugged running lanes.

That ability to chase the ball particularly impressed Allman, who cited his defense’s team speed as one of the biggest positives to come out of the scrimmage.

“It [the scrimmage] did confirm how fast we are and how quick we get to the football,” he said. “The guys have picked up a new defense quickly, and it shows. They’re reacting well to the football.

“There’s an old saying that goes ‘A thinking football player is a slow football player.’ You saw today some football players that understood their assignments and were reacting instead of thinking.”

That ability to react will face another test in the summer’s final scrimmage Friday against Round Rock McNeil at the Round Rock ISD Athletic Complex. The Chaps have worked primarily in a 4-3 defensive lineup for most of the summer; this week, Allman and the coaching staff will focus on a 3-4 alignment.

“We’re going to throw some new stuff at them,” Allman said.

 

News and notes

With starting defensive back Sean Potter sidelined with an injury, Jason You started in his place and impressed the Chap coaches. “He’s really gotten better since the spring,” Allman said. “He’s a great tackler, and he will play a lot this year.” … Bryce Hager (linebacker and running back) and Cody Rademacher (wide receiver and kicker) are the only Chaps on the roster listed with two positions. Hager, the starting middle linebacker, had one carry for eight yards Saturday. … Rademacher booted a 52-yard field goal to cap the practice and is the frontrunner to win the starting kicking job, said Allman. … Sophomore Brice Dolezal ripped off a 25-yard run. … The starting offensive line appears set with junior Jesse Fender and senior Phillip Reed at tackles, seniors Jimmy Coleman and Alex Coyne at guards and senior Brandon Behrens at center.