After experiencing two consecutive first-round playoff eliminations, Westfield has set higher hopes. For the 2026 season, Westfield intends not only to qualify for the postseason but also to progress beyond it.
While the offense continues to develop, Westfield believes one of the area’s deepest and most experienced defenses can provide the foundation for that push. With more than 20 returning lettermen, including four offensive and eight defensive starters, Westfield aims to restore the postseason success that once propelled the program to consecutive regional final appearances.
“I believe having a senior-loaded team brings many advantages, but it also brings high expectations,” said Westfield High School head coach Desmar Black. “We are working to sharpen our skills and focus daily.”
Those expectations are rooted in lessons learned from a young team last season, when Westfield was still adjusting to changes across the program.
“Last year, we were young in several areas of our team and in certain areas of our staff,” said Black. “We were still learning how to get things done the right way amid so much change across many areas of our program.”
Black said last season’s challenges provided the team with valuable experience, and the team has continued to build leadership, trust, and chemistry across the roster and coaching staff. He believes this senior class is hungry for success and ready to build on Westfield’s football legacy.
“It’s our goal to send these seniors out the right way,” said Black. “They’ve worked extremely hard, and we all expect it to show this fall.”
That standard has raised expectations across the roster, and Westfield believes its defense provides the foundation to meet them.
“The difference in this defense compared with the groups I’ve coached during my first two seasons at Westfield is that this defense has playmakers on all three levels,” said Black. “We have the ability to be versatile with our front 7 and our secondary.”
Senior linebacker and University of Arizona commit Davon Smith is arguably one of the state’s best linebackers. As a junior last season, he recorded 121 tackles and 26 tackles for loss. After leading his team in tackles, Smith’s focus this offseason has shifted to leadership as he prepares for a dominant senior season.
“We’ve all worked together, studied our opponents, and worked with different trainers to sharpen our crafts,” said Smith. “I focused on taking care of my body and remaining healthy while developing into a college-ready linebacker. Our chemistry and the high-level intensity we play with give our defense the confidence that we can carry the team this season.”
Senior defensive end Jordin Jones, who recorded 108 tackles and 26 tackles for loss last season, and his twin brother, senior outside linebacker Jaylin Jones, who recorded 91 tackles and 17 tackles for loss, are ready to push each other and make each other better on the field.
“Being twins makes our relationship different because we’ve literally been side by side our entire lives,” said Jordin. “We know each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and habits, and even when the other is having an off day, without saying much. On the football field, that twin connection creates a different kind of competition. We’re always pushing each other because neither of us wants to be the twin who gets outworked.”
That connection follows them onto the field, where every big play by one twin becomes a challenge for the other to match. If Jaylin makes a big play, Jordin wants to answer with one of his own. If Jordin has a good game, he knows Jaylin will come back even harder. It’s not jealousy; it’s motivation.
“We hold each other accountable in a way that probably no one else can,” said Jordin. “If I’m not giving my best, Jaylin will tell me. If he’s not giving his best, I’ll tell him. We don’t just compete; we bring out the best in each other. We’re twins, but we’re also teammates, competitors, and each other’s biggest supporters.”
The strength of Westfield’s defense extends into the secondary, where they return several players capable of making plays at every level of the field. Senior 6-foot-3 cornerback Camarey Bell, who recorded 35 tackles and three interceptions last season, gives Westfield great length. Senior safety Jaylen Oliver, who recorded 41 tackles and two interceptions, will play center field thanks to his “natural ball skills,” while senior KJ Jacobs, who recorded 55 tackles last season, will line up at the nickel position.
The defense may give Westfield its foundation, but the offense could ultimately determine how far they advance in November.
“I believe that under the leadership of offensive coordinator Coach Alfredo Morales, we’ve made major strides in the right direction,” said Black. “We’ve worked tirelessly to right the ship. He does an outstanding job of identifying what we do well and using those strengths to our advantage.”
That progress has given Westfield a renewed sense of confidence, which senior running back Demonte Ford believes has been strengthened by the daily competition they face in practice.
“I believe having a senior-loaded team brings many advantages, but it also brings high expectations,” said Westfield High School head coach Desmar Black. “We are working to sharpen our skills and focus daily.”
“I think the biggest thing that has helped our offense build confidence is the way we’ve been working together,” said Ford. “Going against a talented defense every day in practice has made us better and helped us get ready for the challenges we’ll face this season.”
Westfield believes the pieces are in place. The challenge now is turning potential into postseason success.
“When people talk about Westfield football, I want them to speak with a sense of pride,” said Black. “As a coaching staff and as a school, we are trying to produce superior student-athletes on and off the field.
For Westfield, making the playoffs is no longer the benchmark. Westfield believes they have the experience, leadership, and defensive talent to compete beyond the opening round. This fall, they’ll have the opportunity to prove they belong among the area’s top contenders once again.
“For this senior class to help bring Westfield back to where this program expects to be would mean everything to us,” said Smith. “Our coaches have been preparing us for this season since freshman year. All we have to do now is execute the plan.”
