Friday
night, a decades-long hometown rivalry was rekindled as the Austin High
Maroons took on the Westlake Chaparrals. The student sections were
jammed packed with loyal fans who tirelessly cheered on their team. The
unyielding support compelled both teams to play with more energy and
vigor. This game was one for the books and even broke records as
Westlake’s senior wide receiver Mason Mangum became the all time
receiving leader in Westlake football history.
Westlake
came into this game with 32 consecutive winning seasons as well as a
21-2 record against Austin High dating back to 1994 and were the
favorites in this matchup. Though the odds were against them, Austin
High looked to put up a fight and turn the tides.Ultimately it was not
enough as Westlake overpowered Austin winning 63-8 and pushing the all
time record to 22-2. Putting Westlake in a comfortable 5-0 position,
they look like division favorites this year.
Austin
High received the ball to start the game, coming off a good win against
Lehman they looked to carry the momentum onward. Westlake quickly shut
that down forcing the Maroons backward into a 4th & 20. The Maroons
came out in punt formation. Westlake surged through the left side of the
formation allowing senior wide receiver Ryan Lindley and junior
defensive back Lucas Miruer to get a hand on the ball ultimately
blocking the punt.
Starting
on Austin’s 10-yard line senior quarterback Kirkland Michaux scored on
Westlake’s first play from scrimmage. Kirkland ran the ball in on a 10
yard quarterback keeper putting the first points on the board. In this
game Kirkland was one of four quarterbacks who played for Westlake
Highschool.
Austin
jumped out to a better start on their second drive after picking up a
first down, however they were soon confronted by a problem that lingered
throughout the game. Pass protection. Austin simply could not handle
Westlake’s pass rush as quarterback Charles Wright was in constant
duress. On that drive, Charles was sacked by senior defensive end Bobby
Duncum to ultimately end the drive.
Starting
on Austin’s 44, Westlake hoped to repeat their last drive that ended in
a touchdown. This time Austin’s defense was a little bit stiffer as
they forced Westlake into multiple third downs. Stoping the Westlake
offense on the last two downs, Austin forced them into a 3rd & 2
situation from about the 16. Needing the first down, Westlake running
back Grey Nakfoor took it straight up the middle resulting in Westlake’s
second touchdown.
This
game was truly a battle in the trenches. It was decided by which team
was going to be more aggressive upfront and put the other team in a bad
situation. At times Austin High was able to do that, but ultimately
Westlake won the battle in the trenches. Their offensive line provided
clean pockets as well as running lanes. This was the true defining
factor of the game.
Throughout
the first half Austin was not able to sustain any drives giving
Westlake multiple opportunities to score. Westlake did just that,
scoring over 40 points in the first half, including a 29-yard touchdown
pass from Kirkland Michaux to Mason Mangum and a 10-yard touchdown pass
from Kirkland to Ryan Lindley. After a sack by Austin High’s Abrion
Boudreaux, Westlake quarterback Drew Willoughby threw a 65-yard
touchdown pass to freshman receiver Jaden Greathouse.
Heading
into halftime Austin needed to change something, while Westlake was
focused on preserving their lead. Westlake took their foot off the pedal
in the second half as they ran a slower-paced offense and were more
conservative. On the flip side, Austin came out firing hoping for
redemption or just something to build on.
Austin’s
offense and defense played much better in the second half, though it
was not enough to reclaim the lead, it was a valiant effort.
After
having multiple drives that stalled out on 4th down, Austin needed to
make a play and they did just that. Set up nicely by a PI call Austin
hiked the ball from Westlake’s 26 yard line. On the right sideline
senior wide receiver Colby Kalbacher went deep on a fade route with a
money pass from Charles Wright. Austin had scored their first touchdown.
Austin went on to get the two point conversion. This meant that Austin
scored more points against Westlake than any other team this season.
Offensively,
Westlake quieted down but Austin High middle linebacker Everett Butler
did not. Butler went sideline to sideline making tackles and blocking
passes. Butler was the highlight of the Austin High defense, along with
defensive lineman Abrion Boudreaux.
That
was not say that Westlake did not make defensive plays in their own
right, as demonstrated by senior free safety Sage Luther’s interception
to set the Chaps up in great field position.
Westlake’s
offense was looking to run the clock out when all of the sudden Chaps
running back Zane Minors burst through the middle of the field for a
76-yard touchdown run, he took off and never stopped.
“Great
early field position and good pass rush”, is what Westlake head coach
Todd Dodge attributed to this victory over Austin High. When
asked what area of the team he is most focused on improving, Dodge
said, “I’m most looking forward to improving our running game on
offense.”
“I
will continue to use all three QB’s. Together they lead the greater
Austin area in passing yards, TD passes and completion percentage. Stats
aren’t important but production is. They have all been productive”,
Dodge answered when questioned about his multi-quarterback strategy.
It
was a great game played in historic House Park. Westlake, heavily
favored coming in, came out with a win but the Maroons put up a good
fight. The Maroons have another tough matchup against the Lake Travis
Cavaliers this week while Westlake has a favorable matchup against the
Lehman Lobos.