With coach settled in, Woodland Hills ready to compete

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 | 10:06 PM

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When following in the footsteps of a legend, the old saying is it’s better to follow the guy that followed the guy.

That was the case for Tim Bostard at Woodland Hills. He followed Kevin Murray, who was named the successor of George Novak, the only coach in Woodland Hills’ history who retired after the 2016 football season.

The only problem was Bostard officially took over for Murray, who had resigned before coaching any Wolverines games, a week before camp opened for the 2017 season.

It helped that Bostard had been a long-time assistant under Novak and was set to serve as an assistant under Murray, but the transition was rushed in what would be a 6-5 season for the Wolverines and an early exit from the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs after a 40-28 quarterfinal loss to eventual champion Gateway.

“Hopefully, with a year under my belt,” Bostard said, “this season will not go as fast as it did last year.”

Senior wide receiver and defensive back Michael Coleman was named to the TribLive HSSN Preseason all-star team and admitted the late coaching change was a bit of a distraction.

“Last year, we had our ups and downs with the new coaching staff and everything,” Coleman said. “But Coach Tim has us going, we’re a good team. We’re going to have a very good offense; all we need is a good line. Defense is going to be good. It’s going to be a whole different Woodland Hills this year, I promise you.”

The season will be a challenge for Bostard and his Wolverines in the new-look Allegheny 8 Conference.

“I believe that 5A football is the most competitive from top to bottom, as far as the conferences go,” Bostard said. “In our conference, you have the newcomers in Bethel Park and Peters Township that will come in and compete right away. Baldwin is an improving team with the new coaching staff doing a great job. Combine that with the perennial powers of West Allegheny and Upper St. Clair, and you have a battle every week.”

Going to bat for the black and turquois are five returning starters on offense and six on defense, including Coleman, senior running back and linebacker Anthony Bullock Merideth and junior tight end and defensive end Joshua Rawlings.

“Michael Coleman is a Toledo verbal and had 15 other offers before committing,” Bostard said. “Also Josh Rawlings is a top junior prospect and already has five offers.”

While Bostard believes he has plenty of playmakers on both sides of the ball, there are some concerns on the Woodland Hills line play on both sides of the ball.

“One of our strengths will be the skilled position,” the second year coach said. “This year’s football team will be competitive as long as we can stay healthy. The biggest question mark is on our offensive and defensive lines.”

Schedule

Coach: Tim Bostard

2017 record: 6-5, 6-2

All-time record: 245-112

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25, Woodrow Wilson, Washington, D.C.+, 8 p.m.

8.31, at Bethel Park*, 7:30 p.m.

9.7, at Peters Township*, 7:30 p.m.

9.14, Upper St. Clair*, 7 p.m.

9.21, Baldwin*, 7 p.m.

9.28, at West Allegheny*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Kiski Area, 7 p.m.

10.12, at Seneca Valley, 7:30 p.m.

10.19, at Moon*, 7 p.m.

10.26, Chartiers Valley*, 7 p.m.

*Class 5A Allegheny 8 Conference game

+Western Pa. vs. Everyone Showcase (at Wolvarena)

Don Rebel is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Don at drebel@tribweb.com.

Tags: Woodland Hills