The Westlake Rams say they are loaded with top-caliber skill players this high school football season, including a Division I commitment, but what makes the offense go is who is holding down the fort up front.

The Rams also say it has a much-improved offensive line with four of five returning, allowing them to expand their game plan.

“It changes everything,” head coach John Richardson said. “We can pretty much throw anything at those guys, and they have an understanding of what we’re trying to do up there.

“They’ve seen just about every front and every blitz several times now over the last year or so, or two for some of them, and going on three, so they’re kind of the anchor. We like our skill guys a lot, but they’re (offensive line) kind of the anchor of the offense up there. They’re the most experienced group on the field.”

Richardson said he’s hoping that experience translates into consistency. Last season, the Rams scored 135 points in their first three games and started the season 3-0. But they scored 68 points the rest of the season and finished on an eight-game losing streak. They are looking to improve on last year’s 290 yards and 18.5 points a game.

“There was one thing we were consistent about last year and that was being inconsistent,” Richardson said. “I was just looking at it a year ago, and there’s just such a big difference right now, even in the size of the guys.

“Just their understanding of the ball game and everything. Same thing with skilled guys, too. They’re a year older and much improved.”

A pair of three-year starters lead the way in junior Hadley Hardesty and senior Jayce O’Hara.

“They’re both smart kids and both physical at the point of attack,” Richardson said. “I wish we had them at all five spots, but since we only have two of them, just a bunch of things to help in the run game. They can help by having one on each side.

“They can kind of help the other guys out if there is any confusion. And then, of course, protecting off the edge in the passing game for (Brody) Anderson at quarterback.”

O’Hara, one of three seniors on the line, was a center before moving to right tackle.

“(O’Hara) is a very intelligent kid,” Richardson said. “He is a three-year starter and can play any position on the offensive line. He brings leadership to the huddle.”

At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Hardesty keeps the left side of the line clear at tackle, where he has started since his freshman season.

“He’s stronger than he was a year ago,” Richardson said. “He moves better than he did a year ago.

“Going into his third year up there, he really has a really good understanding of what we’re doing. He probably understands the offense better than anybody we have out there on the field right now.”

The Rams’ other two seniors on the line are right guard Dallas Taylor (5-8, 240) and center Brady Roy (5-8, 210).

The lone new starter on the line is sophomore Luke Lemaire (6-2, 300).

“We’re real high on him,” Richardson said. “He’s an intelligent kid. We think he’s going to be a really good player as the season goes along.”