With Rowell, There Is No Middle Ground

In passing leagues and tournaments this summer, several opponents of the Agoura High football team have avoided the middle of the field as much as possible when Wes Rowell is lined up at his linebacker position.  

As for those quarterbacks and wide receivers who have attempted to challenge the 6-foot-1 and 200-pound senior, Rowell has figured out ways to consistently make them pay for the mistake.  

"Wes has a nose for the ball. I can't tell you the number of big plays he's made in the last month or so,'' Agoura coach Charlie Wegher said.  

Rowell was disruptive as ever on Saturday afternoon at a 7-on-7 passing tournament that was hosted by Valley College in Van Nuys.  

Teams from all over the San Fernando Valley, along with those from Ventura County, had trouble finding ways to move the ball and score touchdowns against the Chargers defense, led by Rowell.  

"Wes is a beast when he's out there patrolling the defense,'' said Chargers' teammate Kevin Beams, a wideout who plays in the secondary on occasion. "He plays with a hunger, like no one I've never seen before.  

"He's been wrecking teams in our passing leagues. Wes must have something like eight or nine interceptions this summer. You don't want to cross paths with him. The middle linebacker position fits his personality.''  

Last season, as a junior, Rowell led the Chargers in a number of defensive categories, the most important being tackles. He made 102 stops, 60 of which were solo, an average of 10 per game.  

In the season opener, a 12-0 victory over Ventura, Rowell finished with 13 tackles. The next week against Camarillo, he had 12 stops and followed that all-around effort with 14 and 12 tackles against Rio Mesa and Simi Valley Royal, respectively. 

"Wes is the heart and soul of our defense,'' said Agoura teammate Stephan Yang, also a part-time receiver and cornerback. "He's intense. You don't have to worry about him going 110 percent because he always does.  

"In some ways, he's like another coach, only he's just out there on the field playing alongside of us. He knows when to be vocal and when to lead by example," Yang said. "When we need a big play, Wes always seems to deliver one for us.''  

Rowell also had a team best two forced fumbles and a recovery for the Chargers a season ago, and even blocked a field goal. His 102 tackles were fifth best in the Marmonte League and for his efforts, he was selected first-team all league.  

Based on how productive he has been for the Chargers, there's no reason to think that Rowell isn't capable of improving his overall numbers.  

"We're expecting big things from Wes and it's hard not to expect big things when you think about what he's capable of doing,'' Wegher said. "He's had a great summer and that experience is going to help him in the long run.  

"He's our quarterback on a defense, a leader. He's very physical, a good hitter, a guy that other teams are aware of when they face us," said Wegher. "He's a difference maker, the guys that makes most everything happen out there on the field.''