Westminster Crusaders
Coach: Patrick Clarkston
2019 Record: 5-5 (Missed Playoffs)
District: 5-1A
Notes: Last playoff game and win was in 2016.
There aren't a lot of teams that will find joy in missing the playoffs, but when things are down, you hold onto the positives and Westminster had five of them in 2019.
"I think it was uplifting to the community," said head coach Patrick Clakston.
The Crusaders won five games last fall, the most for the program since 2016 when the team made the postseason last. The team opened the year with four consecutive wins, but stumbled late with four consecutive losses.
"Week one we won that game and that gave us confidence the other games," said senior offensive linemen Hunter Ray. "We go to district and we lost the one game and that led to the four losses. It's very important that we keep that confidence going."
It was a frustrating end to the year, but there was still a lot to build on. This fall Westminster returns seven seniors and a strong offensive linemen with a few four-year starters. That unit will be expected to anchor the offense, which looks to continue its growth in Clarkston's third season.
"We're definitely one of the strongest parts of our offense right now," said senior linemen Evan Bergeron. "Especially since most of the experience lies within the line right now. Especially how important it is for us to get our blocks and do our positions, and do what we do best. A lot of weight lies on us in these games."
"We constantly build and build each year, to the point where I think all the players understand the concepts and what we ask of them," said Clarkston. "I think going into year three it's second nature for them."
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