What a difference a year – and a different offensive scheme – can make.

A year ago, stout guards Alex Coyne and Jimmy Coleman played on the Chaps’ junior varsity team. Now, the two seniors find themselves starting in the interior of Westlake’s offensive line.

The two share more similarities than their class. Coyne and Coleman both measure around 6-foot, 240 pounds. Both lack the footspeed needed in Westlake’s previous blocking schemes, but both have excelled in the new system.

“They’re both real strong in their legs, and that’s one of the main things we look at for our interior linemen,” Coach Darren Allman said. “We are a power-running team. We want those guys in the middle to be built like a square and to be able to get movement.”

While the Chaps may now use different techniques, the coaching staff hopes for the same result in the ground game. Westlake grinded out 223 rushing yards and 397 total yards in 2008.

Returning all-district center Brandon Behrens and all-district right tackle Phillip Reed anchor the line. Jesse Fender and Sean O’Farrell have battled for playing time at the other tackle position.

Justin Stone backs up Behrens at center, while big Trevor Slaton (303 pounds) and Joseph Jarke (261) provide depth at guard. Tackles Preston Flynn, A.J. Woolley and Tyler Jones could also see action.