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Back in the Fold

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

HCA senior Josh Westfall is one of the returnees for 2008 Lions in the trenches.

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By MARTY MILLER

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: September 4, 2008

Updated: 09/04/2008 09:48 am

Last year, Hernando Christian Academy had an odd season as they had two of their football games canceled due to weather on their way to a 6-2 record.
The Lions went into the year thinking that their offensive unit would carry the team. But with transfers and graduation, HCA now must depend on their offensive line to have the kind of season they want.
Josh Westfall, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound offensive lineman, is one of the key returnees for the Lions.
And with leading rusher, pass receiver, scorer and tackler Clay Kessler at Hernando, Westfall admits things will be different this year.
"I know having Clay Kessler transfer will hurt us some, but we have almost the entire offensive line back and with David (Rotteveel) back as quarterback, I still think we can have a winning team next year," said Westfall.
While many of the players on the HCA roster have to go both ways, for the time being Westfall believes he'll spend most of his time on the offensive line.
"I played some defense last year and Coach Raley says that I may end up doing the same this year," he added. "I think being on the offensive line, with everyone coming back from last year, will make us a good team."
Like many of his teammates, Westfall says he hasn't gotten much interest from colleges toward playing football.
"I definitely want to go to college, but it would be nice when I do, I can also play football," he said.
Like teammate Josh Romeo, Westfall spends some time coaching football with the Shady Hills team of the Pasco Police Athletic League.

Learning from teaching

"I think it's a lot of fun," he said. "The kids really want to learn football and it's funny how much you learn about football yourself by teaching young kids."
Westfall also believes that with HCA dropping out of the Class 1A FHSAA and playing as an independent in the Florida Sunshine Conference, this year will give his team a reachable goal.
"This year, the seniors are looking for us to earn the school's first trophy and even though I don't know if we can win the conference, it definitely gives us all something to shoot for," said Westfall.

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