2011 Washington-Lee Generals Football Preview

At a Glance:

Team: Washington-Lee Generals (National District)

Coach: Joshua Shapiro (5^th year)

2010 Record: 6-6 (4-3 District)

Last Game: Loss 28-7 at Hayfield on 11/19/10

Key Departures: RB, Anthony Taylor, OL Daniel Guenther, OL Ian McLennan, LB Moussa Diallo

Returning Offensive Starters: 3

Returning Defensive Starters: 4

Key Returnees: TE Terrence Ellis, OL Levi Herrera, FB Fred Williams, LB Mudsar Iqbal, DL Rodderick Gibson

Overview:

Year five of Joshua Shapiro’s head coaching career at Washington-Lee will be one of adjustment. By any standard, last season was a success. Shapiro’s Generals reached the post-season and defeated rival Yorktown 28-7, before losing 28-7 to Hayfield in the second round of the playoffs. Washington-Lee loses 20 players from last year’s squad, but team speed and depth bode well for a return to post-season play in 2011.

The Generals forge ahead without the services of star running back Anthony Taylor, who hopes to compete for playing time at Ohio's Ashland University this fall. Taylor was named First Team All-National District by the Washington Post last season and rushed for over 1,500 yards and 25 touchdowns. He earned National District Player of the Year honors by the Washington Post for his impressive senior campaign. Washington-Lee’s offensive line will cope with the departures of offensive linemen Daniel Guenther and Ian McLennan, who also joined Thomas on the Washington Post’s First Team All-National District squad.

The Generals suffered a crushing blow this summer with the loss of returning starting quarterback Rigo Salguero (Sr.). Salguero tore his ACL this offseason and will likely miss all of the 2011 season. Shapiro has not named Salguero’s replacement, but hopes to settle on one before the team’s September 1 season opener at McLean. Jake McDonough (Sr.), a transfer from the state of Minnesota, is vying for the position against Alex Plank (Jr.) and Sam Appel (So.). 

Offensive linemen Terrence Ellis (Sr.) and Levi Herrera (Sr.) anchor Washington-Lee’s offensive line. Both had impressive 2010 campaigns and are expected to produce the same results this season. Fullback Fred Williams (Jr.) played sparingly last season on offense, but will see his workload increase due to the injury to Salguero.

Gil Elie (Sr.), Marcus Harrington (Jr.) and Elijah Davenport (Jr.) will rotate at the slot and wide receiver positions, which Shapiro expects to be extremely fast and deep.

Defensively, Mudsar Iqbal (Sr.) replaces 2010 Washington Post First Team All-National District selection Moussa Diallo. Iqbal saw action last season and impressed when given the opportunity to play. Rodderick Gibson (Jr.) will assist Iqbal and help lead the defensive front line.

Breakdown:

Despite the loss of 20 seniors, the Generals' roster is still stacked with veteran players. Shapiro undoubtetly believes this year’s Generals team to be the fastest he’s had in his five years as head coach. The absence of all-purpose player Anthony Taylor, will force the offense to rely on other players for production. But with the amount of speed the Generals possess, there will not be a shortage of offensive playmakers to step up and fill his absence. The Generals’ defense returns several key players from last season and will likely be the team’s strength.

Coach’s Corner:

“I’m excited for the season to begin. We had a good first week of practice where we focused on fundamentals and the proper techniques. We have real good chemistry on this year’s team and the kids have really worked hard,” said Shapiro.

“We are in uncharted waters with a lot of new players in different positions and we’re going to take a look and reevaluate camp and scrimmages and see who are starters are. But we’re real pleased with how deep and how athletic we are this year.”