Westerfield getting to know the Wildcats

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By Steve Swogetinsky

The Kemper Messenger

Coach Ray Westerfield says the Kemper County Wildcats have performed well during summer workouts and are looking ahead for whatever comes.

    Westerfield was named the head football coach of the Wildcats back in March. But then the schools closed because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. They were out for the rest of the school year,

Westerfield first met his team on the first of June when the Mississippi High School Activities Association allowed sports teams to begin workouts.

“We have gotten five good weeks of practice  in,” Coach Westerfield said. “We have 55 players out. The first thing I wanted to do is get the numbers up.

“With more players out, we have increased the competition for starting positions, We are looking at everyone and how they can best help the team.”

Westerfield said the talent is there for the Wildcats to be competitive this season.

“We have good athletes. They want to be coached and have been working hard,” Westerfield said. “We are doing our best to put them in the right positions and to get them ready to play.”

The first two weeks of practices were dedicated to getting his team in shape. They started working at positions afterwards.

“We have started installing plays and schemes,” said Westerfield. “We have some guys who can throw the ball and catch the ball. We have some guys working at running back. It is coming together.”

Westerfield said that Aaron Steele is emerging as the starting quarterback. Steele got a chance to play some last year because of injuries.

“He is converting from wide receiver to quarterback,” Westerfield said. “He’s a good athlete. He is going to be really special in the running game.”

Jamar Grace and Jamar Scott are back at receiver and have been impressive according to Westerfield.

He added that the offensive line will be big this year. It is a matter of putting everything together.

The Wildcats took off some last week but went back to work on Monday.

The Wildcats are schedules to open the season at home August 21 against Callaway. But that is in question as the Coronavirus numbers in Mississippi keep going up.

“As far as we know, we are opening on August 21,” Westerfield said. “But we are waiting to hear from the state and things can change.

“We are going to prepare like we are opening up against Callaway on August 21 until they tell us different,” Westerfield said. “But we could miss a few weeks because of the COVID-19. We will have to wait and see.”

The Mississippi High School Activities Association will be meeting later this month to decide what direction to take.

Westerfield is a native of Preston.  He is a graduate of East Mississippi Community College where he received his Associates Degree in Liberal Arts in 2008. He also holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of West Alabama.

 






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