Belleville West hopes first offseason under Turner yields more unity, more wins

Coming off of a 3-6 season in his first year at Belleville West, Maroons coach Ken Turner is looking forward to his young club getting even better on the field in the 2024 campaign.

“Our goal this year is we’re changing the program around,” said Turner, who previously was head coach at Althoff. “We feel like we’re gonna be better than we were last year and that’s our goal week by week.”

On offense, sophomore wide receiver Nick Hankins, junior wide receiver Michale Sutton, and junior wideout DeShaun Gage return to help the Maroons’ passing game.

In the backfield, juniors Isiah Williams and Troy McClain will handle the ground game from the running back position.

Sophomore Caiden Capell will direct the offense at the quarterback spot.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the quarterback, Caide Capell,” Turner said.

Junior Bernard Chapman is also pushing for time at quarterback as well.

Senior Khayden Williams is back to stabilize the offensive line for West.

On defense, junior safety CJ Cutler-Johnson, Capell, will anchor the secondary.

Along the defensive line, junior Ricky Moore returns for his second season as a starter.

Better discipline is expected to be the strength of the club this fall and Turner believes that having an offseason with the team was a huge benefit for the program.

“We didn’t have an offseason last year and we had one (this year) so everything’s gotten a little bit better,” he said. “They understand what I want and what we want as a staff from them. So, when you’re able to have an offseason you build a little bit more continuity a little more family life and just basically understand what we’re trying to get here at West.

“They get bigger stronger, faster. That’s the goal.”

Turner is pleased with his defense’s progress this summer but believes the team will lean on its offense early in the season due to more experience on that side of the ball.

“We’ve got nine starters on offense, so we should be a little stronger there to start the season off,” Turner said.

Belleville West will open the season on the road at Mascoutah on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.

Bellevlle West 2024 Schedule

Aug. 30 at Mascoutah, 7 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Fort Zumwalt West, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 NORMANDY, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 ALTON, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Edwardsville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 at East St. Louis, 1 p.m.

Oct. 11 O’FALLON, 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Belleville East, 1 p.m.

Oct. 25 VIANNEY, 7 p.m.

This story was originally published August 29, 2024 at 5:40 AM.