Westminister Christian Academy Crusaders
By Lee Brecheen
Head Coach: Byron Porter (1st year)
2022 Record: 2-8
Class & District: Class 1A (District 6)
Westminister Christian Academy RB Michael Cunningham (Photo provided by Michael Cunningham)
Head Coach Byron Porter played football at West Jefferson HS (Class of 1988) and Indiana State Porter coached in the college ranks for several years, most recently at Bentley College in Boston. His brother is former Archbishop Shaw HS and LSU TE Jamal Pack. Porter’s son, Brandon, will be the team’s offensive coordinator in 2023. Brandon played for John Curtis HS back in the day.
“We have a young team that has some experience but what I like is all these kids work together as one,” Porter said. “We will have the majority of our players start on both sides of the football in 2023.The kids are working hard and have bought into what we do as a new staff and head coach.”
The offense will have several key players back and some new players at all skill positions. The running back spot will be spearheaded by Michael Cunningham (4.5 speed), RB/WR/DB Dreylon Pitre (4.5 speed), third-year starting RB/LB/DE Joseph Brown, and RB/WR/CB Damian Thomas Jr. (4.55 speed). Another running back who will also be getting carries will be talented freshman RB/HB/LB Kyle Horde who has 4.65 speed at over 220 pounds. The Crusaders also return one of the best athletes in the district with senior WR/DB Joshua Cassimere (5-8, 170, 4.5 speed) who is a third-year starter and was a part of the All-District in 2022. Some names to keep your eye on are WR/SS Evan Lemon, a third-year starter with good hands and speed, and CB/WR Jamari White a big-time athlete for big plays too.
Westinister Christian Academy QB Stephen George (Photo provided by Stephen George)
A lot of games are won in the trenches in Class 1A and this program has some good players back to start both sides of the ball in senior TE/WR Bryce Guillory (6-3, 205), third-year starting senior TE/HB/DE Stellan Hill (6-3, 195), OT William Moody (6-1, 220) who is a team leader, OG/DT Connor Payne (6-0, 235) who missed 2022 but he is back and healthy, OT/DT Brenn Ray (6-3, 250) who was All-District in 2022 and is another leader on the team, OG/DE Omar Guillory (6-1, 195) and senior OG/DT Nate Hill (5-11, 205). The key to the season will be the QB Stephen George who played a lot in 2022. George is an incredible athlete with a really good arm and can also run like a running back when chased. George has a high IQ of the game and will give this program a chance to win a lot of games with athletes around him.
The special teams are in a great position as the Crusaders return brothers Gabe and Mac Profitt who both have big-time legs. Punter will probably be Gabe Profitt. This team has a ton of speed so the return game will be strong led by Joshua Cassimere and Jamari White. These kids will keep special teams coaches up at night on the other sideline and both can make big plays.
Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen, and click on the bell to be notified whenever we release a new episode. If you want to listen on the go, follow us wherever you get your podcasts! We have a show three times a week where we interview coaches and recruits statewide in both football and baseball. If you click/press on the logo below, it will take you directly to our YouTube channel!
