There’s nothing complicated about how West Albany’s football team has started 5-0, according to coach Brian Mehl.
“We have a little bit more lead in our pencil than we’ve had the last couple years,” Mehl said.
The Bulldogs’ lack of bulk in recent seasons was a factor in them going 16-23 during their four-year run as members of the 6A Greater Valley Conference. Their increased heft this year has coincided with their return to the 5A Mid-Willamette Conference, where they ruled from 2006 to 2013.
During that span, West Albany averaged 11 wins per season and won six conference titles and three state championships. The way the second-ranked Bulldogs are playing, it’s like they never left.
West Albany (5-0, 5-0 MWC) beat No. 6 Lebanon 35-21 on Friday to remain tied for first place with No. 4 Silverton (5-0, 5-0). The Bulldogs play Silverton in the regular-season finale Oct. 26 at West Albany.
“I expected to be very competitive right away, no doubt,” Mehl said. “We have a lot more depth than we’ve had in previous years. We had some kids going in that were inexperienced, and it was a matter of how well they could perform. Through the first five games, they’ve been able to hold up.
“We like a lot of the parts of our team. I think our kids have a chance every night.”
The defense has been suffocating at times, holding opponents to a 5A-low 9.6 points per game, down from 27.2 last season. The Bulldogs are getting outstanding play from senior defensive backs Cassius McGinty and Ezra Lopez, senior linebacker Eli McSpaden and senior defensive linemen Kyle Hutson.
“The strength of our team is the defense. We pride ourselves on being a good defensive football team,” Mehl said. “Last year we played good defense, but we just weren’t consistent. Our kids just compete real hard, and I feel like they win games because of that.”
Junior quarterback Carson Van Dyke, a first-year starter, seems to be getting more polished every week. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound Van Dyke has thrown for 485 yards and five touchdowns in the last two games.
“The last two weeks he’s been playing really well,” Mehl said. “He can spin it all right. There are certain throws he can make that we really like. We kind of tailor our offense around the throws he can make. We’ve been able to get some explosive plays in the passing game.”
On the other end of those big plays is senior Myles Westberg, who has 29 catches for 547 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He had three touchdown catches in the win over Lebanon.
The offensive line, which did not return a starter, is coming along nicely. It includes two big building blocks in senior Hayden Huzefka (6-4, 305) and junior Darius Braithwaite (6-1, 245).
“It’s a work in progress,” Mehl said. “They’re playing well as a unit, getting more notches in the belt. They’re all pretty green.”
The Bulldogs are back with their more traditional rivals in the Mid-Willamette, including South Albany. It was a welcome change.
“I enjoyed the Salem league, too. I thought it was fun,” Mehl said. “It’s nice competing in the Mid-Willamette, for sure, and being so close to all these teams and our communities.
“We have enough coaches that have been around this league and know how tough it can be. It’s no surprise that it’s going to be a grind-it-out season.”
