There is no shortage of optimism among the Westbury football circles about the upcoming season. Head Coach Savalis Charles, entering his third year at the helm, is confident that this is the season that his team takes the leap from talented to contention.
“This should be our best year yet,” he said. “Everyone has been working hard, the expectations are high. It’s the first time in a long time here.”
There is a reason for the upbeat attitude. Several of the seniors are now in their third year on varsity and they should not be intimidated by the speed of the game anymore.
“We said the third year would be the year. We changed the whole program,” he said.
The quarterback will be Raeco Jackson, who threw only one interception last year. The senior, who is coming off a highly successful wrestling season, will look to be the leader of a team that has realistic postseason aspirations.
Charles is confident that Jackson will be helped out by his “two outstanding wide receivers”. Kyle Spruil is a 6’4” receiver who is primed for a big season. Charles lauded his good route-running ability and his ability to catch. He will be lined up opposite of De-angelo Bien-Aise, whom Charles is expecting “big things from this year.”
“He’s athletic, he strong, he’s hard working, and he could’ve been an All-County player last season,” he said.
The offense will also be led by returning All-County running back Shalike Merchant. The agile 5’8” junior is coming off a tremendous season in which he rushed for 1,700 yards and 17 TDs. He eclipsed 250 yards on four occasions, highlighted by a 304-yard outburst on October 12 against Mepham. He also compiled a five TD game against Bellmore JFK.
“He’s elusive, he’s quick and he’s not afraid to run over a defender if he has to,” Charles said of the star player.
“It’s good having him in the backfield,” said Jackson. “If the passing game isn’t working I know I can hand him the ball and he’s capable of scoring.”
While the offense was strong and scored the most points in program history, the defense will be the lynchpin. They allowed more than 27 points in six of the eight games, including 62 points against Mepham.
“The defense needs to step it up,” said Charles. He believes that it will be due to Bien-aise controlling the line of scrimmage on defense. He feels that the line will be the strength of the defense.
Westbury will also have the challenge of competing against the reigning Nassau County Champions from Carey, as well as the perennial power house Garden City Trojans—although they could be facing a transitional season.
Regardless of their 3-5 record last season, Charles knows that they have been noticed. “We’re not fooling anyone anymore. We know what we got. We’re not under the radar anymore.
