Week 1 preview: Caston seeks third straight win over West Central

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Caston at West Central, 7 p.m.

Caston coach Chris Ulerick has emphasized defense in general and open-field tackling in particular through the first three weeks of practice.

Sectional rival West Central might be a test of how well the defense has learned Ulerick’s teachings. The Trojans are coming off a 2-8 season last year, and three of their losses were shutouts. They graduated quarterback Blayden Huber and leading rusher Gerardo Salazar.

Connor Marlatt takes over at quarterback, and senior Ayden White could play a key role as both a running back on offense and a top tackler in the secondary on defense.

Caston will start a senior at quarterback in Landon Shafer, and Josh Sullivan and Evan Howard are seniors who could figure in the wing-T offense that Ulerick has brought back after two years of playing in the triple option. Junior Kyle Roudebush and freshman Jabez Yarber are other potential ball carriers.

Caston is 5-16 over the last two years, but they are 2-0 against West Central during that time, outscoring the Trojans by a combined score of 90-12.

West Central has not had a winning record since 2014.