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2024 Snapshot: Western Hills

Western Hills OL Dre Noah (57) & OL Dayon'k Justice (52) (photo courtesy of: rogerbaconspartans.org)

They are looking to make history at Western Hills. The Mustangs are on a quest for their third straight playoff appearance, a feat that the program has never accomplished. It will also be just the fourth trip to the postseason in school history.

To get back to Week 11 and playing in November, Western Hills will turn to the Mustangs leading the stampede up front. “Our biggest strength will be our offensive line. They are big, strong and good at clearing paths. We return three of our five that paved the way for a 2000-yard season rushing last fall,” head coach Derek Webster states.

The Western Hills defense has plenty of room for improvement. The Mustangs gave up 39.9 points per game in 2023. This 2024 unit has the potential to be special, but it will be raw. “We graduated a lot of skill positions talent. We have very fast and athletic kids, but not much true varsity experience at the skill spots,” Webster says.

The program is moving in the right direction but there is still plenty of work to be done. The next step for Western Hills is to become competitive enough to win against the better opponents on its schedule. Since 2020, the Mustangs only have one victory versus teams that have finished the season above .500 (1-15, beat Division V Gamble Montessori in 2022). In that same span, they are 13-6 against schools that finished the year under .500.

Western Hills has not had a winning season since 2016. They haven’t beaten a Division I team in 13 years (41-27 over Withrow on 10/15/11), yet here they are, on the cusp of a school best third playoff berth in a row. With those factors driving this squad, the Mustangs are going to be difficult for foes to deal with each week.

Western Hills OL Dre Noah (photo courtesy of: rogerbaconspartans.org)

Division I, Region 4
2023 RECORD: 4-7, 3-2 CMAC Red
COACH: Derek Webster (4-7 at Western Hills, one year, 4-7 overall, one year)

HONOR ROLL
Dre’Shon Noah, Sr, OL/DL – The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Noah is the heart-and-soul of the Mustangs line on both sides of the ball. He was named Second Team All-CMAC Red after tallying 56 total tackles with three-and-a-half sacks and a fumble recovery as a junior.

OTHER RETURNEES
Danyon’k Justice, Sr,OL/DL – One of the three senior leaders and anchors up front. The 5-foot-10, 264-pound Justice has all-district tools.

Western Hills OL Dayon’k Justice (photo courtesy of: rogerbaconspartans.org)

Donnell Johnson, Sr, OL/DL – The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Johnson teams with Justice and Noah to form one of the best offensive lines in the CMAC.

Emir Williams, Sr RB/LB – The team’s top returning tackler and a vital cog in the middle of the defense. Williams was in 88 total tackles, had three tackles for losses and a fumble recovery as a junior.

Raheem Peoples, Jr, RB/LB – Keep an eye on Peoples, who is a rising star in the CMAC. The best football is still ahead for him. Peoples registered 68 total tackles, had two tackles and an interception as a sophomore.

Isaiah Cofer, Jr, WR/DB – Look for Cofer to make an impact on both sides of the ball. He is coming off a sophomore season in which he recorded 38 total tackles, had an interception and seven receptions for 31 yards.

Ezzy Holston, So, WR/DB – The Class of 2027 Mustangs are going lean on classmate Holston for guidance on Friday nights after seeing what he did on the varsity level as a freshman.

NEWCOMERS
Incoming freshmen WR/DB Jamaury Beasley and RB/LB Aaron Mitchell have all  the tools to be excellent players. The duo should earn their letters this fall and possibly spots in the starting lineup.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(three appearances, 0-3) – 2023, 2022, 2000

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – at Walnut Hills (0-10 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – ROGER BACON (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – NEW RICHMOND (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 –  HARRISON (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – at Northwest (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – HUGHES (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – at Aiken (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – TAFT (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – WOODWARD (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – at Withrow (12-2) – 7:00 PM

 

 

 

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