Fresh start for Westhill
Vikings begin anew with first-year coach Aland Joseph
Westhill is starting fresh and hoping to begin the process of building a sustainable program under first-year head coach Aland Joseph.
The team does not have much varsity experience, but does return three players who saw significant time with the varsity in 2019.
The Vikings are returning seniors TE/OLB Sam Engel and RB/OLB Estuardo Diaz as well as junior RB David Moodie.
Moodie is particularly intriguing at running back and, along with Diaz, gives Westhill stability at that position.
Joseph felt Moodie could have stepped into the spotlight his sophomore year after seeing varsity time as a freshman in 2019.
“He was a kid we were hoping to break out last year but it didn’t pan out, obviously,” Joseph said. “Hopefully this year will be his year. We try to get him the ball all over the place.
He’s not just in the backfield, he will be out split too. We try to move him around and get the ball in his hands.”
The quarterback position is currently up for grabs with junior Anwar Tahir and sophomore Jordan Reyes competing for the starting job, with both likely to see time early in the season.
Whomever is taking snaps will have some potentially explosive players they can feed the ball to.
Kevin Laba is a senior transfer from Archbishop Stepinac in New York and could be a game-changer with his explosive speed. He will not be the only player having balls thrown their way.
“Laba has shown a lot of promise in the offseason and we are very excited about getting him the ball in multiple ways,” Joseph said.
“Nasir Thornton brings varsity experience as he was one of the younger players who was thrown in the fire as a sophomore and we are looking to see what leadership he will bring with that experience. Sam Engel is a big body who can cause some matchup problems as he can block and run great routes. Tyrone Hollar is another (6-foot-3) kid with great speed and hands.”
Giving whichever quarterback on the field time to get the ball into their hands will come down to how the offensive line plays.
Westhill has a mixed bag on the line with junior Mawin Belfont at center and seniors Carlos Escobar and Jordan Martinez, who saw some time on varsity two years ago. Newcomers Ryan Page and Connor Thibodeau could also make an impact up front.
Defensively, Westhill gave up 33 points a game in 2019.
Joseph is installing a new defensive scheme and is in the process of figuring out which players will be the best fit in hopes of keeping Westhill competitive in 2021.
VITALS
COACH — Aland Joseph (1st season)
CONFERENCE — FCIAC West PLAYOFF CLASS — LL (1,230 boys enrollment)
HOME — J. Walter Kennedy Stadium, Stamford
2019 RECORD — 1-9
2021 OPENER — Saturday, Sept. 11 vs. Greenwich, 2 p.m.
TEAM WEBSITES — westhillfb.com | Twitter: @westhillfb | Instagram: westhillfootball
TOP PLAYERS
David Moodie, Jr., RB/ DB (5-10,185)
Kevin Laba, Sr., WR/DB (5-11, 195)
Carlos Escobar, Sr., OL/ DL (6-0, 250)
Sam Engel, Sr., TE/OLB (6-5, 195)
Esturado Diaz, Sr., RB/ OLB (5-10, 190)
Nasir Thornton, Sr., WR/DB/P (5-9, 185)
2021 SCHEDULE
Sept. 11 — GREENWICH, 2 p.m.**
Sept. 17 – at Trumbull, 7 p.m.**
Sept. 25 – HAMDEN, 1 p.m. #
Oct. 2 – AMITY, 2:30 p.m. #
Oct. 15 – at Ridgefield, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 23 – DANBURY, 2 p.m.**
Oct. 29 – at McMahon, 7 p.m.*
Nov. 6 – STAPLES, 1 :30 p.m.*
Nov. 13 – at St. Joseph, 11 a.m.*
Nov. 25 — at Stamford, 11 a.m.*
Home games in CAPS *Conference game ** Division game
# CT Alliance game Editor’s note: Previews on Darien, New Canaan, Stamford and Wilton to follow