Dux football replacing 18 starters, including 10 on offense

Zeeland West football coach John Shillito relishes the opportunity.

He’s not daunted that his Dux must replace a total of 18 starters, including 10 on offense. It was a successful group lost, one that took Zeeland West to a 12-1 record, an O-K Green Conference title and as far as the Division 4 state semifinals.

“It’s a good challenge,” said Shillito, the veteran coach who’s entering his fourth season with the Dux. He’s led Zeeland West to a 34-4 record and a Division 4 state title in 2006 during his tenure.

“There are a lot of different pieces in terms of building the kind of unity we need to run our offense, even the things we need to do defensively,” Shillito said. “There is going to be a lot of growth day to day. We’ve still got a long ways to go.”

The Dux are most experience on defense where three starters return.

Inside linebackers Nate Bazan and Derek Fritz anchor the defense. Bazan, a senior, stands 6 feet, 1 inch and 190 pounds, while Fritz, a junior, is 5-11 and 205 pounds.

Zeeland West’s biggest player is defensive tackle Josh Villanueva. The junior is 6-1 and 295 pounds.

Fritz said the Dux have a strong foundation, even though they must find so many new starters.

“We’re all hard workers,” he said. “It’s hard to get everything down on the first try. We’re practicing a lot.”

There is much to learn in Shillito’s wing-T offense which relies on ball fakes and various blocking schemes.

Timing is critical, Fritz said.

“We have to be ready for the different defenses teams will show us,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to know our jobs on the offensive line. Everyone has their guy. If someone doesn’t get a block, (the play) doesn’t run right.”

The Dux are working on getting up to speed with their revamped roster.

“We try to practice at a good tempo,” Shillito said. “Even then, it’s hard because when you play a game you’re going to have 11 guys playing hard against you and it’s hard to get in practice sessions on a daily basis. We try, but it’s hard to match that intensity down in and out that you’re going to see in a game.”

Zeeland West will kick off the season Aug. 28 at home against Inkster.

The Dux then play at Coopersville and Hudsonville Unity Christian before embarking a stretch of five games at Zeeland Stadium. Zeeland West is the road team for the Oct. 3 game against Zeeland East.