A quick glance at the stats would seem cause for alarm. Former quarterback Tanner Price left Westlake as the school’s all-time leader on offense. He set a single-season record for yardage while leading the Chaps to the 2009 Class 5A Division I championship game, and his departure would prove tough for any team to overcome.

But a quick glance at Lewis Guilbeau playing football would allay many concerns. The compact junior – 5-feet, 10-inches and a solid 185 pounds – takes over behind center in Westlake’s power spread offense, and his ability to run the football seems tailor-made for the Chaps’ style.

“We’re totally confident that there will be no drop-off at quarterback,” Westlake coach Darren Allman said. “Lewis is an exciting player, and we’re real excited about seeing what he can do.”

Guilbeau brings an explosiveness on the ground that the Chaps didn’t have with Price, who now plays for Wake Forest. Guilbeau rushed for 303 yards and three touchdowns on just 40 carries last season, and he has the speed to turn any quarterback keeper into a score. However, in order to the Westlake offense to maintain any semblance of balance, he will have to develop his passing prowess.

Last season, Guilbeau threw for 94 yards on 5-of-11 passing. According to Allman, his passing remains a work in progress.

“He’s getting a lot of reps and getting better throwing the ball each practice,” he said. “[Quarterback coach Jeff] Rhoades is doing a great job with Lewis by working on the fundamentals.”

Allman also professed excitement about reserve Blake Box, a dual-threat junior who had a strong off-season. Box doesn’t have any offensive packages designed for him specifically, said Allman, but the coaches would like to get him in relief of Guilbeau.

“Our quarterbacks take a pounding, so we’d like to rest Lewis some during games,” Allman said. “And Blake has shown a lot of ability. We want to get him snaps.”