Senior Ahmad Rustamov has become a key part in trenches for the Westside offensive line. The senior is playing left tackle this season, his first at that position having shifted between left and right guard during last season. He has been a reliable piece on this offense line both protecting quarterback Braylen Warren and being the biggest part in running back Tay Tay Jenkins success running for over 210 yards a game.
“We have a very tight knit group sorta a brotherhood,” Rustamov said. “I think that’s been super key for both our first and second groups.”
Rustamov, along with the rest of the offensive line, have been the tone setter Westside was looking forward to having with their ability to both protect the quarterback and give the running backs room to run.
When Rustamov started playing the sport he now loves he was a nosegaurd on the defensive side of the football. He had a defensive focus throughout both youth football and middle school football.
“I really never thought about the offensive side of the ball,” Rustamov said. “I thought I was going to play defense my whole life. Honestly I thought I was better at defense, made for defense and I really didn’t enjoy offense.”
Going into freshman year, Rustamov kept that same mindset as a 200 pound freshman. He was told by coaches that he would play both sides of the ball both as a defensive lineman but now was going to be playing on the offensive line for the first time in his career.
“I started that season on the offensive line but as the season went on I got moved down to the freshman B team,” Rustamov said. “I really wasn’t playing that much but mostly defense and my career declined a little bit from what I was expecting.”
During his sophmore season Rustmov saw some action on JV but only played defense. He eveuntally made the playoff roster and saw his first state title during Westside’s historic 2023 season but he knew he wanted to do more.
During the offseason Rustamov committed to himself and to the offense line he never thought he would play in his career.
“I gained 40 pounds over that offseason just lifting and working,” Rustamov said. “I really committed to playing offense and to be able to start.”
Rustamov shot from 200 pounds to nearly 250 by the time junior year came around and during week four Rustamov got his first varsity start against Bellevue West, originally as a guard.
“I just kind of developed as a guard on the offensive line,” Rustamov said “I continued to gain weight and experience and helped the team out.”
Along with fellow guard Connor Wane and the rest of the offensive line, Westside stormed their way to their a sixth state championship appearance where they lost in heartbreaking fashion to Millard South
Westside came back in 2025 just as strong as last year with many skill positions returning on the offense, but one of the biggest questions going into this season was the offensive line with only Rustamov and Owen James being the returning starters. including two losses on the left side of the line. But the Warriors’ line has thrived with Rustamov moving over to left tackle and some younger guys filling in the cracks. Both Rustamov and James have been the leaders on the line and being mentors to the younger guys getting their first crack as the starters
“Ahmad’s leadership was great especially in the first game against North,” junior Micheal Madsen said. “He helped me stay calm and focused throughout my first start and has always been vocal about being the best you can and encouraging everyone.”
The Warriors have kept the ball rolling throughout the season putting up 45 points a game offensively and shutting out two out of their first four opponents. The offense is putting up over 400 yards per game and it all starts with the offensive line blocking for the opportunity to throw or the gaps to run through for touchdowns. Westside’s duel threat offense has been a staple of the Warriors success over the past half decade and this year is no different, starting from the trenches and hopefully ending inanother state title.
“I think we still have a lot of improvement left to be made,” Rustamov said. “We just need to keep attacking practices, and doing what we need to do not only during the games but everything else in between.”
The Warriors continue their march toward Lincoln on Friday, September 26th, as they host the Omaha Central Eagles.
