Camp Confidential: West Orange Warriors

+ Progress on turf  inspires Warriors

Over on the practice field for the West Orange Warriors, the players know what’s going on nearby at Raymond Screws Field. 

As installation continues with the program’s new synthetic turf playing surface, which is expected to be installed and ready for the team’s home opener against Foundation Academy on Aug. 28, there has been a palpable energy increase among the group.

“Every day, we’re over there watching the progress that they’re making, and we’re excited,” coach Bob Head said.

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+ Offense takes group approach at running back

Replacing Dexter Williams, West Orange’s highly recruited running back who signed with Notre Dame on National Signing Day this past spring, is no small task.

As such, the Warriors aren’t leaning on just one back to shoulder the load this fall.

“We have a committee (at running back) right now … they all have a different ingredient that they do better,” Head said. “Right now, we’re just moving them around to see who fits the best.”

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+ Head excited about kickoff classic

When the Warriors take the field for their kickoff classic preseason contest on Aug. 21, it will be in one of the most high-profile match-ups in the state that night.

Rather than play a glorified warmup game, West Orange scheduled last year’s runner-up in Class 7A, the Osceola Kowboys. Playing the Kowboys on the road will serve as a tough beginning to a schedule for the Warriors that looks to be more difficult than the 2014 slate that saw West Orange go undefeated for the first time in program history.

“I wanted to play somebody really good so that way it sets the tone for our season,” Head said.