GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — West Catholic won the division six state championship last fall and a big reason why was senior running back Tim Kloska who ran for 2,425 yards and 43 touchdowns.
The Falcons all-time leading rusher has graduated and moved on to Army, and West has to find a way to replace him.
"You don't ever replace a kid like Timmy," second year Falcons head coach Landon Grove said. "He's one of the best to ever play at West Catholic, owns all the running. We have four guys that I think can replace him collectively would be the best answer so we feel good about our depth."
First up is senior Charlie DeBruyn who played behind Kloska last fall and was also a standout at linebacker.
"I love it," DeBruyn said. "I love the pressure. A lot of people say they're big shoes to fill or whatever, but I love it, I can't wait. I've always been behind Timmy my whole high school career, I love the kid, I'd play with him again if I could, but I'm kind of glad that he is gone, my time to shine now."
Others expected to help carry the load in the backfield at Mike Murphy, David Britnefeld and sophomore Conner Olszewski.
The Falcons do return a lot of key pieces from last year's title team including three starting offensive lineman and three talented receivers.
"This year we are just going to spread it around more," senior h-back and defensive end Ethan Stoner said. "More people are going to have to step up. Timmy was a great player, he was a great leader, he always got
it done when we needed him to get it done, but everyone else can step up, everyone else can come through in a big way.
Alek Wickstrom is a senior that is competing for the starting quarterback position, he transferred in after starting at Grand Rapids Christian much of the last two season.
West is scheduled to open the season at Edwardsburg on Thursday August 24th.
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