When the subject of Westlake’s wispy offensive line comes up, center Brandon Behrens quickly corrects any misconceptions about its ability corresponding with a lack of size.

“I wouldn’t say we’re not big enough,” said Behrens, a 5-foot-10-inch, 215-pound senior. “I’d just say we’re not big. But we can get the job done.”

 

Louie Swope is one of the anchors of the Westlake defense.

Behrens and his comrades up front, who average a burger or two under 230 pounds, will have to get the job done if the Chaps hope to continue their legacy of success under a new head coach. Darren Allman arrived in Westlake from Odessa Permian this past spring after the retirement of Derek Long, and a change in leadership hasn’t changed the expectations for a program used to winning.

 

Westlake has captured 14 district championships in the past 17 years, including a share of last season’s District 25-5A title. The Chaps finished the season with a 9-5 record and reached the Division I Region IV finals.

“The community expects success, and it’s the type of community I’ve always liked to be in,” Allman said. “These are really smart kids here. They’ve responded well to the coaching change, and they’ve embraced what we’re trying to do.”

According to Allman, those smarts start with Behrens and the boys up front. In the Chaps’ new offensive scheme, Behrens must make all the presnap calls while quickly dissecting defensive fronts.

“It’s definitely a big difference from what the offense used to be,” Behrens said. “It’s a thinking position, and I’m expected to know the defenses and call out the defenses.”

It’s a mentally demanding job, said Allman, but it plays a pivotal role in the execution of Westlake’s spread offense.

“We were blessed to have Brandon already in place,” he said. “He brings a lot of intelligence to the position, and that’s pivotal in our offense. He’s really been a leader out there.”

Behrens, a member of the varsity since his sophomore season, joins four other returning starters on the offense, including quarterback Tanner Price. The Wake Forest recruit had a stellar junior season with 2,326 yards passing and 20 touchdowns with a 61.2 completion percentage. Under his guidance, the Chaps averaged 36 points and 397 yards per game in 2008.

Linemen Phillip Reed, Tim Johnston and Cameron Bethke return, although Allman says several starting spots remain open as two-a-days approach.

Westlake must replace all-state running back Ryan Swope and both starting receivers, but Allman cites his depth at wideout and the potential of running backs Van Gramman and Bryce Hager.

Defensively, Westlake boasts speed at every unit. Returning linebacker Ellis Glaw can run with most tailbacks, and defensive back and SMU recruit Louie Swope returns after tallying 95 tackles and eight passes defended in 2008. Hager will likely see plenty of playing time at linebacker as the Chaps look to lower last year’s numbers of 24 points allowed per game, Allman said.

“I’m an old defensive guy, and, defensively, I want us to be ahead of the game entering the year,” said Allman, a former defensive back at Hardin-Simmons University and a longtime defensive coordinator. “We’re not that big but we have a lot of athleticism.”

Sounds like a lot of the Chaps, doesn’t it?