CLARKSVILLE — Defining Wesleigh Foster's role with the Clarksville Panthers is about as difficult as trying to tackle him.
Ultimately, it just becomes a guessing game.
Technically, Foster is a 5-11, 180-pound junior slot back who helped guide Clarksville to its first playoff victory in six years as the Panthers scored a school-record 423 points last season while using the Spread offense for the first time.
Just because the roster lists Foster at running back, though, that won't stop Coach Michael Banning from using him in any capacity necessary to win games.
"He'll play quarterback for me, tailback, inside receiver or the wideout spot," Banning said of Foster. "He's a guy who can do it all. "
Among Foster's vast array of tools, the most remarkable is his speed. He won a Class 4A track and field state title in the 100 meters last year in 11.12 seconds and runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.4- to 4.5-second range.
Enhancing that speed is his elusiveness, his ability as a receiver and his newest weapon - a power running game.
Foster has added muscle over the off-season and vows to use it to punish opponents this year, noting a friendly 4-4A Conference rivalry between himself and Subiaco Academy quarterback Keon Walters.
"Keon is always talking trash with me," Foster said. "I get too much trash on the field, guys saying, 'Why don't you come at me?' So I'm going to come right at them this year."
Foster isn't shy about revealing his personal goals, either.
He said hopes to gain more than 2,000 all-purpose yards this year. Considering he had close to 1,600 last year, that projection seems reasonable. Last year's total included 50 catches for 816 yards, 60 carries for 501 yards and about 300 yards in returns.
Foster also scored 14 touchdowns last year, including 9 on receptions and 5 on runs.
As far as comparisons go, Banning likens Foster to former Clarksville standouts Evan Loop (1980s) and Shawn Holt (1990s),both of whom compiled more than 3,000 career rushing yards in Clarksville's run-based, I-formation offense.
With most teams in the area converting to the Spread, Banning decided to test it out with the Panthers late in the 2007 season and made the full switch last year.
The offensive production instantly spiked, as quarterback Damon Redman shattered Clarksville passing records by throwing for 3,247 yards and 35 touchdowns. Foster's brother, Ellis, and Ethan Domerese also set school marks with 10 touchdown receptions each before graduating in the spring.
Former tight end Trey Schucker will take over at quarterback for Redman, who also graduated. Schucker, a 6-3, 195-pound junior, has shown promise with his arm strength but is certain to rely heavily on Foster.
Schucker, who has played with Foster since Schucker's father coached the two as sixth-graders, said Foster's improvement is unmistakable.
"Last year, he was more of a guy who wanted to get away from people," Schucker said. "This year, he wants to run over people more. He's trying to hit the hole a little harder and faster."
College coaches are starting to take more notice as well after discovering Foster at various camps and combines over the past two summers. He has no offers yet, but a host of major Division I schools have sent him letters indicating interest.
The next step for Foster will be growing into a leadership role as the Panthers try contend for another playoff berth. He said the experience of playing alongside his brother for the first time last year provided him with a nice head start.
"I'd always wanted to play with him," Foster said of his brother, Ellis, a freshman at Arkansas Tech who hopes to walk on next year with the Wonder Boys. "I loved playing with my brother. He was the outside receiver, and I was in the slot. We always talked before plays.
"I wish I could just rewind it back and start it all over."
Clarksville Panthers
COACH Michael Banning
LAST SEASON 8-4
OFFENSE Spread
DEFENSE Even (4-front)
RETURNING STARTERS Offense 4, defense
1 POINTS SCORED PER GAME 35.3
POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME 35.1
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH Wesleigh
Foster (5-11, 185, RB, Jr.), Trey Schucker (6-
3, 205, QB, Jr.), Brody McKinney (5-9, 170,
WR, Sr.), Trea Stutzman (6-0, 210, RB, Sr.),
Jordan Bateman (6-1, 170, WR, Jr.)
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH Thomas
Plugge (6-1, 190, LB, Sr.), Michael Pitts (5-
10, 185, LB, Sr.), Tyler Sisson (6-2, 240, DT,
Jr.), Ki Phung (5-10, 230, DL, Sr.)
KEEP AN EYE ON Trey Schucker. Foster
commanded all the attention for the Panthers
during the off-season, but Schucker, a former
tight end, is an intriguing prospect as well.
Schucker, a 6-2, 205-pound junior, has the
size, arm strength and speed (4.9 seconds in
the 40-yard dash) to develop into a prototype
quarterback in the Spread offense.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK Banning's switch from
a Multiple-I to the Spread near the end of the
2007 season brought unprecedented success
last year. The Panthers were an I-based team
for about 20 years, but last year's playoff run
proved they could win with a passing offense.
Banning has the luxury of starting Schucker
from scratch in the Spread, and jet-quick slot
back Foster (4.4 in the 40) will be an ideal
first option.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK Clarksville's fast-paced,
no-huddle offense was productive, but it
gave the defense little time to rest between
possessions and the Panthers struggled at
times as a result. The team allowed 35.1
points a game, although that figure was
skewed by an 84-14 loss to eventual Class
4A state champion Shiloh Christian in the
second round of the playoffs. Plugge is the
only returning starter on defense, which
Banning said will react quicker this season.
SEASON OUTLOOK The Panthers are likely a
year away, but another playoff run is possible
this year if Foster can develop chemistry quickly
with Schucker. The defense is inexperienced
and must improve drastically.
KEY GAME Sept. 25 at Booneville. Two teams
with contrasting styles go head-to-head in a
4-4A opener that could end up determining
the league title. Clarksville beat Booneville 30-
26 at home last year, but the Bearcats went
undefeated at home last season.
Sports, Pages 73 on 08/30/2009