Van Gramann and Brice Dolezal, Westlake’s two primary running backs, don’t have a flashy moniker, but several familiar phrases would suffice.

Thunder and lightning. Smash and dash. Wham and bam.

Anyway you say it, the pair’s production should cause consternation for opposing teams. Gramann developed into Westlake’s workhorse a year ago, carrying the ball a team-high 206 times for 1,054 yards and nine touchdowns. Although the lean senior (5 feet, 11 inches and 178 pounds) has a body type that suggests otherwise, Gramann pummels the interior of defenses and still boasts enough speed to sprint away from the secondary.

“Van is a very tough, very strong runner,” Westlake coach Darren Allman said. “He has virtually no body fat, but he likes to get physical and take it inside.”

Dolezal, a 5-8, 153-pound junior, does most of his damage on the edge. He only had 44 carries last year but amassed 378 yards for a hearty 8.6 yards-per-carry average. He also scored five touchdowns in 2009 and flashed his speed with a 70-yard scoring run in the preseason intrasquad scrimmage.

“He is just fearless, and he wants the ball,” Allman said about his scatback. “Every time he touches the ball, Brice thinks he’ll score. It’s our challenge as coaches to give him those opportunities.”

In addition, Gramann and Dolezal both excel at receiving, Allman said. Look for the Chaps to take advantage of their skills on a variety of screens or patterns from the slot.

Zak Clark, Dorrian Parris and Jacob Smith provide depth at running back, but the Chaps’ H-back may get the next most touches behind Gramann and Dolezal. Senior Matthan Myers started at running back last season for the junior varsity squad and has impressed coaches with his hard running and tenacity.

“And he’s a pretty good blocker, too,” Allman said. “We like him as H-back, and we want to get that position more touches.”