| Westside taking flight with Byrd
Westside turned to one of its own to run its football program, promoting offensive coordinator Mark Byrd to head coach.
Byrd, 38, replaced former coach Lance Carter, who exited Westside after a District 20-5A championship and 10-2 mark to become head coach at Mayde Creek.
"I don't blame Coach Carter for leaving," Byrd said of Carter, who only spent one season with the Wolves. "It was the right opportunity for him."
But Byrd considers Westside to be an equally exciting opportunity. Others agree: Byrd beat out a pool of more than 100 applicants for the job.
"Westside is an up-and-coming program," Byrd said. "The school is still only seven years old. We've got a long way to go."
Byrd played a pivotal role in the school's second-ever league title in the fall. The Wolves led District 20-5A and ranked in the top five in the area in total offense, averaging 401.8 yards per game.
"We had some terrific offensive talent," said Byrd, alluding to standouts like quarterback Michael Goodnight, wide receiver Alonzo Adams and running back Semaj Washington.
Michael Goodnight threw for nearly 2,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. Adams had 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns receiving. Washington was a 1,200-yard rusher.
But Byrd's first season on the Westside sidelines was no fluke. He's enjoyed plenty of success elsewhere, leading several schools to the postseason during his 16-year coaching career.
Byrd was head coach for five years at Ganado, steering the Indians to a 40-20 mark. Ganado advanced to the state semifinals in 2001 and back-to-back quarterfinal appearances in 2003 and 2004.
In addition, Byrd made coaching stops at Newton, Pearsall, Winnsboro and Kerens.
Byrd's power lifting teams were among the best in the state. In fact, his 1994 Newton squad won a state crown. Ganado's lifters also won state in 2005.
"We've always emphasized power lifting at the schools I coached," Byrd said. "We've got a power lifting program at Westside now. It should help us on the football field."
Byrd, who recently completed his first spring practice as Westside head coach, is confident the Wolves will make a strong defense of their District 20-5A championship next fall.
Westside returns a respectable nucleus of 11 starters (six on offense, five on defense). Among the returnees are Michael Goodnight at quarterback, Michael Smith at wide receiver and Reggie Dunigan and Albert Fontenot at safety.
Byrd said the Wolves will continue to run the same type of offense as a year ago, but they switched from a 3-4 defense to a split defense. Westside will graduate a large senior class, but Byrd remains optimistic that the Wolves will challenge foes like Lamar and Madison for the league crown.
Westside kicks off the season against Texas City at 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at Butler Stadium.
"In some ways, we're in a rebuilding stage, but we have some quality players coming back," Byrd said. "We have excellent team speed, especially on defense.
"I don't expect to see a drop-off."
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