Football: Westlake is getting ready to take on the big boys

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There was a time when Westlake Village Westlake resembled a college football team because so many of its players were tall, thick and athletic. That hasn’t been the case in recent years, but my impression after seeing the Warriors on Wednesday in a passing competition is that their talent level is coming back.

The Warriors have lots of sophomores and juniors who are going to help return the program to prominence in the Marmonte League and against the likes of Ventura St. Bonaventure and Westlake Village Oaks Christian.

First, Coach Jim Benkert has to pick a quarterback among two promising juniors. There’s the athletic Nick Isham and the strong-armed Michael Bercovici. Both are going to be outstanding passers.

Westlake also has a talented tight end-defensive end in sophomore Johnny Stuart, who’s 6-3, 220 pounds and the younger brother of former Westlake standout Michael Stuart.

Then there’s junior free safety-receiver Nelson Spruce, a 4.0 student who’s also a standout on the baseball field. Benkert thinks Spruce is headed for big-time status.

These and others ought to make Westlake an intriguing team to watch this summer. The Warriors are playing Friday and Saturday in the Conejo Valley tournament at Westlake, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks.

Let’s see how quickly the young players develop over the next two months.

-- Eric Sondheimer