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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Winfield moving up to Class AAA
2008 Winfield High School varsity football team
Purchase this photoWINFIELD, W.Va. -- For the Winfield Generals, the 2008 season means a transition into Class AAA.
Even with the uncertainty of jumping into a new classification, Winfield coach Willie Wilson thinks there is only one ingredient that his team needs to be successful.
"Confidence, probably," Wilson said. "A lot of times, teams look at names and tradition instead of what is out there on the field. We have to be in control of our own destiny and not what is on the other end."
Wilson said the strong point of his team is going to be balance in every phase of the program, whether it be the schedule or the players on the field.
In its transition year, Winfield will face five Class AAA opponents and five top-tier Class AA opponents. More importantly, the Generals also have a returning cog at every skill position except for the kicking game.
"We've got a good balance with only eight seniors right now," Wilson said. "Our biggest class is the junior class. If our younger kids step up, we'll be in really good shape."
Leading the charge in Wilson's wide open offense is quarterback Taylor Farley, a savvy athlete under center that Wilson thinks will excel this season.
"We've got him in position to make bigger plays for us this year," Wilson said.
Some of Farley's targets will include Christian Powers and Alex Campbell on the outside, as well as Josh Clark out of the backfield.
Clark will be joined by returning starter Steven Gaydosz, who is making his way back from a broken ankle suffered in the 7-on-7 summer workouts. Wilson said he expects Gaydosz to be ready by the beginning of the year.
The offensive line will feature four players that had extensive playing time last season, with Colton Justice leading the way at tackle and Danny Thomas and Jesse Sigmund lining up at the guard positions.
Defensively, Nathan Lewis, the 2007 sack leader, will anchor the defensive line. Justice will also see time at defensive tackle while Thomas and Sigmund may see action also, but Wilson hopes that he can have two separate units on both offense and defense.
"If we can work it out, I'd love to have two different units out there," Wilson said. "We need to keep those guys rested."
Linebackers will be the strongest aspect of the defense with Campbell, Jeremy Thompson and J.R. Cochran all returning.
The defensive backfield will feature Farley and Clark while Gaydosz also will see action once his ankle is ready. Powers is also going to be a big playmaker on both sides of the ball.
