Get to know: Wauwatosa West Trojans

The Wauwatosa West football team missed the playoffs last season despite a 5-4 record, their third straight winning season, the first time that has been done since the early 80's according to coach Matt Good.

"We want to get back to the playoffs," Good said. "We want to get back into the top three in our division. Those are goals which I think are there every year for us."

The numbers have been good for the Trojans, something that can't be said for several teams in the area. Good has 90 kids out for football, freshman through seniors, with 62 in the sophomore through senior class. They also return 11 starters, six on offense and five on defense.

Good will be curious to see what West team shows up on Friday when they open the season at 7 p.m. against crosstown rival Tosa East.

"We've been up and down so far at practice," Good said. "We've had good moments where we see what we can be and we've had some moments where we've seen what we don't want to be. We've had more good moments than bad moments, but we're definitely a work in progress."

Offense

Good has junior Rayvon Bartlett, Jr. returning to run the offense.

Although All-Stater Demaris Purifoy is gone at running back, senior Kobe Vines, juniors Jake Cieszynski and Paris Howell, a 2-year varsity player, and senior Truman Tyson, a 3-year varsity player, an honorable mention all-conference selection, will give Good some talent to work with.

Seniors Kamren Banks and Jake Hronek and junior Ernie LaSpisa give West three solid wide receivers.

Two starters are back in the line — senior Norberto Pliego (5-9, 203), a first-team all-conference selection, and junior Cam Rosario (5-10, 212), who both could end up at guard.

There is some bulk with the other linemen as junior Braeden Schrems (6-1, 279), seniors Jimmy Vento (5-10, 280) and James Canady (6-2, 319) and freshman Austin Ertl (6-2, 257) round out the line.

Looking at the specialists, senior Rajiv Kalyanaraman will placekick, LaSpisa will punt and freshman Jimmy Fuhrman will handle the kickoffs.

"Our offense has a chance to be super explosive," Good said. "We have four kids in the backfield, who at any point can score touchdowns."

Defense

Good is looking forward to watching his defense this season.

"I think our defense will be vastly improved," he said. "We have more athletic kids on that side of the ball. They can run and tackle. We got guys in the back who can cover."

The front line consists of junior Javaree Jackson, Canady, Vento and senior Curtis Oglesby. The linebackers are Cieszynski, Hronek and sophomore Jacob Braxton, who is battling senior Amadou Berry.

The cornerbacks are Banks and Justin Folley, while senior CJ Fields is at safety along with senior Jovani Jefferson and sophomore Ean Haller, who are battling for the other starters job.

Coaching staff

Good's coaching staff consists of Andy Kolstad (quarterbacks), Lyle Verette (running backs), Nathan Chart (wide receivers) and Chris Petri (offensive line) on the offensive side.

On the defensive side, Robb Widuch (defensive coordinator, linebackers), Jeff Gabrielson (defensive backs) and Peter Trapp (defensive line).

Kahla Hendricks is the athletic trainer and Olivia Starrett and Megan Stoffel are the managers.

Player to watch

This is easy. Junior quarterback Rayvon Bartlett, Jr. will run the offense. "He's matured. mentally and physically, and he's ready to be 'the man,'" coach Matt Good said. "He needs to run the offense and make the plays for us. I kind of think how he goes, we going to go this year."

Keep an eye on

Senior linebacker Jake Hronek and junior lineman Javaree Jackson are keys to the defensive improvement Good is expecting. Hronek moved from safety to outside linebacker. "He's an outstanding football player. He does everything right. He's awfully tough," Good said. "Javaree Jackson is 6-5, 240, he has to be an impact player for us."

We say

Three winning seasons in a row gives you a better idea of what kind of team the Trojans are. If the defense comes together, the offense stays productive, they could be back in the playoffs.

Glance back

Overall: 5-4

Conference: 2-4

Outcome:Did not make playoffs

All-Conference returnees

First team:Noberto Pliego (OL)

Second team:None

Honorable mention: Truman Tyson (RB)

First-team losses:Christian Morzinski (OL), Demaris Purifoy (RB), Blake Braxton (Int. Lineman), Matthew Lundell (ILB), Zach Veit (DB)

Coach:Matt Good

Last year (home in bold)

Schedule