The First Priority for Westmark High Football Is Finding Enough Players

Even though Westmark High competes in eight-man football, the private Encino college-prep school for students with learning differences has been struggling to find enough players.

The Lions suited just 10 in an opening 44-12 loss to Christian Life Academy of Escondido. Then, after several more players joined the team, Westmark showed improvement Thursday in a 22-22 tie against visiting Ivy Academia of Chatsworth.

"The Thursday game, we were much better," said first-year coach Perry Skaggs, who has replaced Kevin Fox, who went 3-5 last year and finished third in the Omega League.

Westmark is up to 15 players, and that makes it a lot easier to practice.

"Now we can simulate game situations, so that's helping," Skaggs said. "There's a learning curve, and the kids are working hard. We might be pretty competitive if the kids stay healthy."

Westmark plays Price (1-1) of L.A. on Saturday at Coleman Stadium in Inglewood. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

"Price is fast and talented. We're going to have our hands full," Skaggs said. "But if we improve on defense, I think we can be competitive from this point forward."

Brandon Caldarelli is a key leader, a fourth-year senior who has been playing on varsity since his freshman year. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound running back/linebacker had a touchdown last week against Ivy Academia, and he leads Westmark with 175 yards rushing in two games.

Another standout is Shands McCoy, a 5-11, 195-pound senior who has never played football before but is proving to be a natural. He joined late, so McCoy was not able to play in the first game, but he made quite an impression against Ivy Acadamia with three receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown.

"He's an athletic kid. He could have had more yardage but a 60-yard touchdown catch was called back because of a holding penalty," Skaggs said. "He never played before but decided to come out, so we had to wait until he had eight practice days because that's the rule."

A.J. Arauz, a junior, is the quarterback, and he has a strong arm and good feet.

"He can throw the ball deep, and he throws it well," Skaggs said. "So far, he has run for two TDs and thrown for one, so he is an able-bodied runner and solid passer. We're trying to take advantage of that and be as multi-faceted as we can."

Another to watch out for is junior Donovan Collins, a 6-4, 185-pound raw talent who starts at tight end and defensive end.

"He's just really starting to learn the game, but man is Donovan big and tough," Skaggs said. "By midseason, he's going to put it all together."

WESTMARK HIGH FOOTBALL

Coach: Perry Skaggs, first year

Nickname: Lions

School address: 5461 Louise Avenue, Encino

League: Omega

Division: CIF Eight-man Div. II

Colors: Blue and white

SCHEDULE

Sep 11 – Christian Center – L 12-44

Sep 16 – Ivy Acadamia – T 22-22

Sep 25 – vs. Price at Coleman Stadium (Inglewood), 1 p.m.

Oct. 1 – at Liberty Christian, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 – Trinity Classical, 3 p.m.

Oct. 15 – Hillcrest Christian (Thousand Oaks), 3 p.m.

Oct. 22 – First Lutheran, 3 p.m.

Nov. 5 – L.A. Lutheran, 3 p.m.