Westlake’s devotion to throttling opposing ground games may start up front, but it often ends with a tackle by an inside linebacker.

The Chaps welcome back a pair of proven inside ’backers, led by all-district junior Lance Duran, a 5-foot-11-inch, 202-pound ballhawk who earned a starting spot as a sophomore. He tallied 128 stops a year ago and had seven tackles for a loss.

Although all-state LB Bryce Hager departed for Baylor, Duran will still have plenty of competition for tackles. Conor Byrne, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior who racked up 71 stops a year ago, moves from a starting outside linebacker spot to the inside, a shift that highlights the importance of the position.

“We ask a lot of our inside linebackers,” Westlake coach Darren Allman said. “They have to read the blocking schemes quickly and react quickly. There’s no doubt that they are pivotal to our rush defense.”

Don’t expect Duran and Byrne to drop back into coverage much. When not stuffing a run, they’ll likely be blitzing up the middle.

In comparison, Westlake’s outside linebackers must have enough speed to cover backs and slot receivers, said Allman.

“That is a hybrid position for us,” he said. “You have to be physical against the run, but you still have to be able to drop into coverage. You have to be a complete player.”

Eric Wiggin, a 6-foot, 192-pound senior who played a reserve role a year ago, has impressed coaches on the right side, and classmate J.R. Jackson (5-11, 173) has the speed the coaches crave.

Look for Rogan Lye or Spencer Smith to provide occasional relief at the inside positions, while Garrett Lancaster and Rory Allen will get playing time at outside linebacker.

The Chaps’ defensive scheme will often replace the outside LBs with a defensive back, depending on foes’ propensity to pass, Allman said.