2024 WESTWOOD PANTHERS
Panthers poised to have the biggest season in program history
2023 Record : 9-3 / Area Finalist
The Westwood Panthers quickly became one of the biggest stories in all of Texas high school football last season , exploding onto the map with one of the most potent offenses across the state .
Head Coach Richard Bishop is becoming one of the hottest names in football , leading the Panthers to the playoffs in each of the past two seasons , and was named as a Top 40 Under 40 coach by Dave Campbell ’ s Texas Football Magazine over the summer .
Since his arrival in 2018 , the Panthers have continued a steady uptick in wins season after season .
While much of the program ’ s success can be laid at the feet of the sharp minded Bishop , like every other coach , he is not allowed to suit up on game days , and must leave the fate of his team in the hands of his players ; but unlike most coaches , Bishop has Kavian Bryant .
Bryant is one of the most exciting young talents in the state . Bryant showed his football prowess last season , setting nearly every single season quarterbacking record in his freshman campaign .
The 6 ’ 2 , 175 lbs . signal caller completed 68 % of his passes , throwing for over 2,200 yards and 33 touchdowns to just seven interceptions . He also contributed 812 yards rushing and another nine scores .
The Panther offense got even scarier this offseason as well , as TCU commit Jon Denman joined the program to take over the starting running back role after the graduation of Jordan Williams .
Denman ’ s production has not been typical of a star running back . He now gets the chance to be the lead back for the first time in his high school career .
He could easily double his total high school output , 577 yards and nine touchdowns , in the 2024 season alone . He is also a more than capable defender , and can help lead the defensive back group if called upon .
The Westwood receiving core is also one of the best in 3A , led by junior standout Kaysn Dial , who had his own record setting season a year ago . Dial ’ s 48 catches and 754 yards both led all area wideouts , and his Panther record nine touchdowns grabs was second in the area only to Tirrec Jackson of Oakwood .
Joining Dial in the talent corps will be Chris Carter and Boston Anderson .
The Panthers defense lost several starters to graduation last year , including standout safety Jordan Velasquez , who led the team in both tackles , 99 , and interceptions , two . Also gone is Brandon Russell , who was third on the team in total tackles , 77 , and second in tackles for loss , seven .
Regardless of the production loss , the Panthers are set up well defensively , especially with the return of seniors Anderson , Brayden and Myron Melton , as well as junior David Russell . The talented quartet combined to bring in 250 total tackles last season , approximately one-third of all tackles for the team last season .
After going 8-2 during the regular season and claiming a bi-district championship , Westwood saw their season come to an end at the hands of the Lorena Leopards in the area championship round , which will be the fuel to their fire in the 2024 season .
With a strong defense and an abundance of talent on the offensive side , the Panther faithful should be prepared for another record breaking run from their squad again this season .
WESTWOOD PANTHERS
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