CB West offense tries to reach new heights
Central Bucks West is excited about its new offense this season and excited about the man running it.
“He’s just a great leader on and off the field,” first-year head coach Chas Cathers said of his senior quarterback, Eddie Shields, “so we’re excited so see what he can do and we’re looking forward to opening up against CB South.”
The Bucks, beginning a new era under Cathers, who served as defensive coordinator at New Hope-Solebury, will look to challenge defenses with multiple sets and various personnel.
“We can threaten the defense from any position, any time, with different players in the game,” Shields said, “so we’re definitely gonna get more people involved this year.”
The Bucks began summer camp with a good turnout and are heading towards the season opener with a pretty strong grasp of the offense.
“It’s going well. The kids have been working hard this offseason and we have good numbers,” Cathers said. “Throughout this camp, I think we definitely have been improving, especially with installing a new system.
“The kids have been picking that up well and the effort has been outstanding, so we’re really excited about that.”
Shields returns under center for the Bucks and he could benefit from stronger protection this season.
“Very good,” Cathers said of the line play. “I think up front, we’re very strong. We have good leadership in the senior class, especially on the offensive line. We’re excited about what those guys are gonna do up front.”
Senior Declan Mandeville (6-foot-2, 255 pounds) will be part of an experienced O-line for West while fellow seniors Noah Hill (6-0, 250) and Max Cascerceri (6-1, 225) aim to keep opposing runners hemmed in.
“We have a couple young guys who are definitely gonna step up and assert themselves,” Cathers said of the defense as a whole. “Up front, on the defensive line — just like the offensive line, we have guys who are experienced, and they’re tough up front. We’re gonna hope that those front four guys can take control of the game.”
Even when scoring drives stall for West, the Bucks are confident they can salvage three points, off the foot of their junior kicker.
“We have a great kicker in Kenny Doak,” Cathers said. “We’re really looking to use special teams. Obviously, we wanna be outstanding in all three areas, and we’re excited about what Kenny can do and we also have a great young kicker coming up. So I think special teams is definitely gonna help us throughout the season.”
Top Photo: Central Bucks West High football team captains, from left, Jacob Schiela, Ed Shields, Max Cascerceri, Declan Mandeville. Friday, August 21, 2015. (Geoff Patton/The Reporter)
