Class 6 Top Ten - #1 Westfield

Throughout the month of August, VirginiaPreps.com will begin previewing the upcoming 2018 High School Football season. As part of our comprehensive coverage, we will be counting down the Top Ten Rankings for each classification.

What to Know: In seven seasons as the Head Coach, Kyle Simmons has compiled a gaudy 89-10 overall record with three consecutive State Championships victories over Oscar Smith. In fact, they've now won five state titles since 2003, matched only by Phoebus for most in VIrginia during that stretch. Furthermore, the Bulldogs were the lone VHSL State Champ during 2017 to go undefeated, meaning their winning streak is at 24 games entering this season. With most of the offensive personnel back, a four-peat is definitely not out of the question.

Quarterback Noah Kim (6-0, 170) flourished in his first year as a starter, completing 57% of his passes for 2339 yards and a 29-5 TD/Int. ratio, remarkable considering the first two passes of his sophomore campaign were interceptions. Named 1st Team All-State by VaPreps, Kim ran for 485 yards and 12TD's as well and picked up the first of what is expected to be many offers at the end of March from Howard. His go-to target in the passing game is senior wideout Taylor Morin (5-,11 170), a Wake Forest commit that earned 1st Team All-State honors on both sides of the ball.

Morin caught 53 passes for 840 yards and nine scores to go with 11 interceptions on defense, plus two pick-sixes last year. On special teams, he's also a weapon, having racked up 414 return yards with five blocked kicks and two scores. What further helps out Kim is that they have their next two leading receivers, Bizzet Woodley (6-4, 175) and Gavin Kiley (5-11, 170), as well as junior Eli Soto (5-9, 165) back. Woodley and Kiley combined for 57 catches for 979 yards and 14TD's a season ago.

Running the ball generally is a strong suit of the Westfield offense and that should be no different this season with the return of senior tailback and 1st Team All-State performer Eugene Asante (6-1, 212). As a junior, Asante ran for 1866 yards and 15TD's. He holds offers from Delaware State, Morgan State, New Hampshire and Towson among others. The only area to be slightly concerned about on offense for Westfield is the o-line, where anchor Harmon Saint Germain moved on to Army and three other regulars graduated.

Up front, the Bulldogs will count on 1st Team All-State center Bryan Jewell (6-1, 248) to be the tone setter. Westfield uses a fullback and tight end effectively more than others, and they bring back seniors Sean Goodman (5-10, 185) and Joe Clancy (6-2, 234) in those spots, respectively. Statistically, the Bulldogs are coming off their best defensive season in six years, though said good-bye to Class 6 Defensive Player of the Year Nolan Cockrill (Army) along with seven others that started or got substantial playing time.

Clancy will be one of the main components on the defensive line as some new full-time starters get broken in alongside him. They're more experienced at the next level with a pair of senior linebackers in Israel McClain (5-9, 181) and Aron Dishun (6-0, 178) that combined for 19 tackles in last December's State Championship game. Senior Connor Newborn (6-0, 225) is versatile enough to play linebacker or on the d-line and excel. On the back end, the Bulldogs feel mighty good about Moran and senior Saadiq Hinton (5-6, 165), a 2nd Team All-Region selection last year.

Compared to their previous four state title winning teams, this Westfield group brings back more experience than any other, certainly when it comes to the offensive side of the ball and skill positions. However, they're going to need the linemen around Clancy and Jewell to develop, something that often takes place in the Westfield program. Two of the games to circle on the schedule on their quest to make back it to Hampton University in December - home games with South County on August 31st and Centreville on October 19th.

Other Class 6 Top Ten Previews:

#2 - Oscar Smith Tigers - Read More Here

#3 - Manchester Lancers - Read More Here

#4 - Woodbridge Vikings - Read More Here

#5 - Thomas Dale Knights - Read More Here

#6 - Ocean Lakes Dolphins - Read More Here

#7- Freedom (Prince William) Eagles - Read More Here

#8 - Colonial Forge Eagles - Read More Here

#9 - Cox Falcons - Read More Here

#10 - Centreville Wildcats - Read More Here

Final Class 6 Rankings for 2017:

#1 - Westfield (15-0)

#2 - Oscar Smith (11-3)

#3 - Colonial Forge (12-1)

#4 - Woodbridge (12-2)

#5 - Manchester (11-2)

#6 - C.D. Hylton (9-4)

#7 - Freedom (12-1)

#8 - South Lakes (11-2)

#9 - Landstown (12-1)

#10 - Ocean Lakes (10-2)

Matthew Hatfield serves as Publisher for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network, and is a regular contributor to the ACC Sports Journal. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don’t forget to listen to him every Saturday at 10 AM to Noon on ESPN Radio 94.1.