West Park eager to show they're just as good as last year

Talk about reloading rather than rebuilding. West Park lost its top two running backs, a scholarship offensive lineman, three of the top four receivers and six of its top 11 tacklers, but the team replaces those players with the biggest senior class the school has ever had (28) and several players from the junior varsity team that won six games last season. The Panthers lost some big names, such as Ben Osby, Hareel Greer, Mason Johnson, Jaxon Moore, Calvon Johnson and Briggs Bevans, but already just in the first week of practice, the team is champing at the bit to show what they can do. "Our team goals are the same if not higher," senior quarterback Jaden Jackson said. "We lost a lot of good players, but we've got people to fill their shoes. I'm confident we will be as good as last year, and even better." The Panthers were quite good last season, as they went 10-2, losing only to two state championship teams, Grant and Vanden. "I feel like we've got a good group of guys here," senior running back/safety Deacon Ogden said. "We've got a lot of people contributing in different spots and we're having fun." Besides just having a lot of depth, another reason for optimism is the Panthers had a great offseason in the weight room. "I'm excited for the season," said senior receiver and defensive back Gavin McDaniel. "This team is the strongest physically that we've ever been in terms of the weight room." In fact, even the quarterback, Jackson, earned a weight-lifting T-shirt for making the 800-pound club, the first quarterback to do so at West Park. Everyone has bought in and is looking forward to another great season. "I'm excited to show what we can do," said senior running back/linebacker Topher Petersen. Head coach Jason Tenner might be more excited than his players. "The last game of the season we lost by seven to a team that went on to win the state championship so we're right there," he said. "We've got to knock through the door, get over the hump; however you want to say it. We've got a lot of kids who are working hard and I'm excited to see what we can do."

West Park reloads, not rebuilds