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Our Top 10 Texas HSFB Teams 2022

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Chaps completed their 3-pete, but will start off the year without Todd Dodge in 2022. Photo Stan Martin

1. Austin Westlake (6A)

2. Galena Park North Shore (6A)

3. Duncanville (6A)

4. Southlake Carroll (6A)

5. Katy (6A)

6. Allen (6A)

7. Denton Guyer (6A)

8. Lake Travis (6A) 

9. South Oak Cliff (5A)

10. College Station (5A)

By Tucker Stephenson


The summer has only just begun, but the eyes of Texas high school football fans are already glancing ahead to the dog days — and more importantly, two-a-days — of August. In a state packed with heavyweight programs that are loaded with NCAA Division I talent and top-tier coaching alike, it’s always tough to try and predict what will happen, but here’s a look at Texas Sports Monthly’s preseason top 10 list for the upcoming 2022 high school football season.


— The three-time defending state champion Westlake Chaparrals come in at No. 1 despite losing QB Cade Klubnik and legendary coach Todd Dodge. Even with those holes to fill, the Chaps look like a full-fledged football factory at this point. Junior Paxton Land will look to fill in at signal caller, and he’ll have reliable targets in senior WRs Jaden Greathouse and Keaton Kubecka. On defense, 6-foot-6 DE Colton Vasek is a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen.

Northshore will look to make it back to Jerry-world in 2022 and I’m sure Nemesis Duncanville will be waiting. Photo: Stan Martin


— At No. 2 is reigning UIL Class 6A Division I state champion Galena Park North Shore, which is bringing back a ton of talent. Sophomore QB Kaleb Bailey returns after an outstanding freshman season, and top wide receiver David Amador is also due back. The Mustangs will look to revamp the defensive side of the ball, but North Shore has plenty of athleticism.


— Duncanville is at No. 3 after losing a tight 17-10 battle to North Shore in last season’s 6A-DI title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The Panthers need to replace RB Malachi Medlock, who graduated, but Duncanville’s defense will likely be stout again thanks to players like LB Vernon Grant.


— Southlake Carroll clocks in at No. 4 after suffering a 26-point loss to Duncanville in last year’s playoffs. The Dragons welcome back senior QB Kaden Anderson after he threw for 3,036 yards and 34 TDs a year ago. Running back Owen Allen is also set to return after he ran for 2,145 yards and 32 scores in 2021.


— No. 5 Katy will bring back senior Caleb Koger at QB, as well as the rushing tandem of senior RBs Seth Davis and Dallas Glass, who combined for over 3,600 yards and 48 TDs on the ground last year. 


— At No. 6 is the school that boasts the largest enrollment in the Lone Star State, the Allen Eagles. Quarterback Mike Hawkins, who racked up nearly 3,500 yards of offense and 29 total TDs, is set to come back for his junior year. 

Allen did not survive South Lake in 2021 but will definitely be back in full force as the states largest school. Photo: Pat Carrigan


— No. 7 Denton Guyer fell to Westlake 40-21 in the 2021 6A-DII state championship game and is reloading in 2022 behind senior QB Jackson Arnold and a solid defense.


— Austin’s other hometown powerhouse, Lake Travis, begins at No. 8 and is hoping that senior QB Bo Edmundson makes the leap to ignite the Cavaliers’ offense. Lake Travis will look to rebuild its receiving corps, although there are plenty of options.

Lake Travis were the 2021 Quarter finals Champs & QB Bo Edmundson (Michigan State commit) will look to finish his Cavs career strong
his Senior. Year. Photo Credit Jenna Friedrich


— No. 9 South Oak Cliff, the defending Class 5A Division II state champion, is absolutely loaded coming into 2022 and has the potential to pass several 6A schools in the rankings once games begin. The Bears come into the preseason with 20 players on their roster that have received at least one NCAA Division I scholarship offer. 


— College Station comes in at No. 10 despite falling 27-24 to Katy Paetow in overtime of last season’s Class 5A Division I state title contest. The reason for the Cougars’ elevated ranking is simple — senior RB Marquise Collins, who rushed for 2,826 yards and 39 TDs as a junior.

Westlake win 3rd Straight Title

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

ARLINGTON — The Westlake Chaparrals have finished yet another season of Texas high school football unbeaten, unchallenged and unequaled.

Westlake (16-0) capped a rare three-peat after defeating Denton Guyer 40-21 Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington during the Class 6A Division II state championship game. The win gives legendary head coach Todd Dodge his second career three-peat, as he won in 2004, 2005 and 2006 with Southlake Carroll before claiming titles in 2019, 2020 and 2021 with the Chaps.

It was also the final game for Dodge, who steps away with Westlake riding an incredible 40-game winning streak.

“They’re going down in very rarified air,” Dodge said of his 2021 team. “To win back-to-back-to-back state championships, there’s only about five or six in the history of the state of Texas that have done it, and now we’re going to be a part of that.” 

Guyer (14-2) made things interesting with a quick flurry in the first half that led to a surprising 14-13 halftime lead. However, Westlake turned on the afterburners in the last 24 minutes to accelerate past Guyer for good. 

The Chaps outscored the Wildcats 27-7 after intermission to hoist yet another championship trophy. 

“That was gritty,” Doddge said of his team’s effort in the second half. “I knew these kids had it in them. I knew they were not going to leave this three-year window and be remembered as a team that folded after one bit of adversity. They believed and they fought their tails off against a great Guyer team.”

Wildcats quarterback Jackson Arnold twice answered Westlake scores in the first half, as he ran in a 15-yard touchdown before finding Jace Wilson on a 9-yard score that put Guyer up by a single point at intermission.

The Chaps regrouped out of the locker room and saw Cade Klubnik hit Bryce Chambers for a 15-yard TD pass to give Westlake a 20-14 lead. Guyer rebounded and vaulted ahead once again following a 6-yard scoring run by Arnold, but the Wildcats were held in check for the remainder of the contest.

Meanwhile, Klubnik began to cook.

Arlington, TX; Westlake Chaparrals quarterback Cade Klubnik (6) throws a pass against the Guyer Wildcats during the first quarter at the Class 6A Division 2 state championship playoff on Saturday, Dec 18, 2021, at AT&T Stadium.

After Charlie Barnett set a new state championship game record with a 53-yard field goal to give the Chaparrals a 23-21 edge, the senior signal caller ended the third period with a 69-yard TD strike to Jaden Greathouse.

Klubnik then opened the fourth with a back-breaking score in which he found Greathouse for a 71-yard TD. Mark Sayegh tacked on a late field goal as Westlake cruised to a 19-point win in front of more than 32,000 fans in Arlington.

Klubnik finished the game 14 of 21 passing for 280 yards and four TDs, while Greathouse hauled in seven passes for 236 yards and three scores while setting a new state championship record for receiving yards in a contest and earning Offensive Player of the Game honors.

Klubnik added 66 rushing yards on eight carries.

Westlake’s defense also made history by tying a single-game state championship record with nine total sacks. The Chaps saw defensive ends Colton Vasek and Ethan Burke tally three and two sacks, respectively. 

As for Dodge, he said after the game it’s time for him to finally enjoy some family time after helping Westlake build one of the most dominant dynasties in Texas history.

“I’ve got three beautiful grandchildren in the DFW area and I want to be a pawpaw and be around those guys,” Dodge said. “Elizabeth and I, at least here for a little while, are going to act like we’re retired.”

Arlington, TX; Westlake Chaparrals head coach Todd Dodge rallies his team before the game against the Guyer Wildcats at the Class 6A Division 2 state championship playoff on Saturday, Dec 18, 2021, at AT&T Stadium.

Baylor Bears win Title over Gonzaga:

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

Baylor’s magical run throughout the 2020-21 season ended up looking a lot like Matthew Mayer’s signature hairstyle — business in the front, party in the back.

The Bears paved the way for their championship season with hard work, discipline and attention to detail — but following an 86-70 win over Gonzaga in the national championship game, it was finally time to let loose.

Mayer’s mullet was just one of many memorable symbols along Baylor’s ride to glory in Indianapolis. The former Westlake standout transformed into a vital part of head coach Scott Drew’s bench and showcased his soft touch from beyond the arc in addition to his on-court IQ.

With the Bears’ front-court stacked with talented guards, Mayer carved out a role as a reliable scorer who remained ready to dive into the dirty work whenever necessary. The junior averaged 8.1 points per game this season while also adding 112 rebounds and 36 steals.

The former Chaparral shot 39.5% from beyond the 3-point arc, allowing him to be a deadly screener in the pick-and-pop game.

Mayer got an early taste of high-level basketball while playing for head coach Robert Lucero at Westlake. His teammates included current Longhorn Brock Cunningham and UTEP’s Keonte Kennedy, who transferred from Xavier. Mayer had plenty of offers, including from the University of Texas, but the 6-foot-8 small forward found a home in Waco and began honing his skills under Drew, who is undoubtedly one of the top college coaches in the nation.

Mayer was a contributor almost immediately off the bench and averaged 4.6 points per game as a true freshman. In his sophomore campaign, Mayer put in 4.8 points per contest.

His role expanded dramatically this season as the Bears overcame a COVID-19 break to turn on the afterburners in the final few weeks. After Baylor fell to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament, Baylor reeled off six straight wins on the country’s biggest stage to capture the program’s first-ever national championship.

Mayer was an instrumental part of the ride, which ended with an eye-opening performance against the previously-unbeaten Bulldogs of the West Coast Conference. Chalk up another win for the Lone Star State.

Westlake Repeats: 2020 State Champions

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

ARLINGTON — The Dodge Bowl began as a back-and-forth shootout, but a second-half landslide by Austin Westlake helped father Todd Dodge reign supreme in a once-in-a-lifetime matchup against Southlake Carroll, which is coached by his son, Riley.

The Chaparrals prevailed 52-34 at AT&T Stadium after striking for 31 straight points to turn the tide after Westlake found itself tied with the Dragons at 21-all in the second quarter.

Westlake’s Michael Taafe, who was named the game’s Defensive MVP, picked off Quinn Ewers to end the first half and added a spectacular one-handed pick in the third quarter as the Chaps surged to a multi-score lead.

Cade Klubnik, Zane Minors and Grey Nakfoor ensured Westlake’s offense kept moving the chains, and Jaden Greathouse made Carroll pay downfield with impressive receptions that went for big yardage.

It was another dominant performance for the Chaps (14-0), who claimed the Class 6A Division I state title a season after winning the Division II championship.

“It was a slugfest,” Westlake head coach Todd Dodge said. “Our defense answered the bell in the second half. Offensively, that’s the best game our offensive team played all year long and we played well at times. In the big-time games, big-time players step up.”

Westlake led 28-21 at the half and immediately marched toward a touchdown in the third quarter that was tallied by Nakfoor on a 4-yard run.

On Carroll’s next drive, Taafe plucked a Ewers pass out of midair with an outstretched right hand, and moments later, Klubnik jogged across the goal line from 4 yards away to give the Chaps a 42-21 lead.

From there, Westlake began to assert its will and kept piling on the points.

“It wasn’t anything that we really changed,” Taafe said of the second-half turnaround. “To be honest, we were a little nervous. I was, too. They kicked us in the mouth the first couple of drives and we just said to ourselves, ‘Do we want to keep doing this, or do we want to stand our ground and stop it?’ That’s what we did — we got some turnovers and it worked out in our favor.”

Nakfoor tacked on a 5-yard TD run with 8:29 to go in the game, and the Dragons (12-2) added two late scores that were sandwiched around a successful onside kick.

Klubnik was named the Offensive MVP after going 18 for 20 passing for 220 yards and a score. The fleet-footed senior also ran for 111 yards and two TDs.

Minors led Westlake with 135 yards and a score, which came on a 75-yard burst during the Chaps’ first offensive snap and helped tie the game at 7-7.

Back came Carroll, as Ewers went up top and found Brady Boyd for a 49-yard TD. Westlake wasted little time responding, as Nakfoor found a seam and sprinted ahead for a 38-yard score.

The two teams again traded scores in the second quarter. Greathouse put the Chaps in front with a 15-yard reception in the end zone on a perfectly-thrown pass by Klubnik, but Boyd answered by hauling in a 27-yard score from Ewers.

From there, however, the Chaps’ vaunted defense began to come up with some key stops. Klubnik tallied a 1-yard scoring run with 1:12 to go in the second period to give Westlake the lead at 28-21, and the Chaps caught fire down the stretch to seize the program’s third state championship overall.

“This football team that I had the pleasure of coaching this year collectively loves the game of football more than any team I’ve ever seen,” Todd Dodge said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of them. We had to kind of will our way to a victory.”

Following the triumph, Westlake’s coach said his message to his son Riley was simple.

“I told him I loved him,” Todd Dodge said. “I told him I’m so proud of him and I told him he has one hell of a football team.”

Is Brees the GOAT?

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in NFL FOOTBALL.

At this point, betting against Drew Brees is just plain dumb.

And yet, somehow, it still continues to happen.

The legendary former Westlake quarterback added another page to his Hall of Fame resume on Monday night when he passed Peyton Manning to become the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns with his 540th. The record-breaking score came on a 5-yard play action toss to tight end Josh Hill during the Saints’ 34-7 destruction of the Indianapolis Colts — one of Manning’s old teams.

And what did Brees do for an encore? He tossed another TD on his next throw, which went for 28 yards to Taysom Hill. 

Brees finished the game with yet another league record in his back pocket, as he set a single-game mark for completion percentage after going 29 for 30 for 307 yards to connect on a ridiculous 96.7% of his pass attempts.

Brees, the one-time Chaparral standout and Purdue alum, now holds those two NFL records in addition to the league’s top mark for career completions (6,792) and all-time passing yardage (72,577).

However, it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that Brees would add another few records to his total after he sustained a torn ligament in his right thumb earlier this season. Given that Brees is already 40 years old, some wondered whether he’d be able to make it back to his old self.

But New Orleans kept churning out wins under Teddy Bridgewater, which allowed Brees to be patient with his injury and ensure that he took the proper time to heal from successful surgery. He made his return on Oct. 27 against Arizona and quickly reminded all the doubters why he’s one of the best to ever chuck a pigskin by throwing for 373 yards and three TDs during a 31-9 rout of the Cardinals.

Since then, he’s continued his assault on the record books alongside wide receiver Michael Thomas, who has become perhaps the best wideout in the NFL. As the playoffs approach, though, Brees likely has only one more goal in mind — bringing a second Lombardi trophy back to New Orleans. Now that he’s back to 100%, it would be a huge mistake to overlook the Saints in any round of the postseason.

Westlake Chaps win 2019 6A DIV II State Title

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Two teams would enter only one would emerge victorious as the 6A DII Texas UIL Football State Championship was underway with the Westlake Chaparrals taking on the Denton Guyer Wildcats. Both teams had risen to the top of their division due to their physicality and run game and both were prepared to out-muscle and out-work the other. In a surprise upset Westlake shut out Denton Guyer 24-0 in a game with many twists and turns.

Both teams are no strangers to the big lights at AT&T stadium with a combined total of 13 championship appearances including tonight. Guyer won its two titles back-to-back in 2012 and 2013. While Westlake’s victories were much further apart with one in 1996 and the other in 2019. Coincidentally, Denton is 0-2 against the Dodge family (Todd Dodge – Westlake and Riley Dodge – Southlake Carroll) this season and 14-0 against everyone else.

“There’s no doubt that they are ready to play. They’re ready to go after a state championship and we’ve got a tremendous opponent in front of us, but we’re gonna have fun tonight,” said Westlake head coach Todd Dodge of his team.

“On the way here, I wore the Drew Brees jersey that Sam wore in the Sugar Bowl, the Westlake one. I kinda got in my mojo, but it’s awesome. When I was a freshman, I was behind [Ehlinger], and it’s really cool to have him here and have him watch us win state,” said Westlake quarterback Kirkland Michaux.

Westlake received to start the game and as they always did they looked to assert their physical dominance. Starting off with two straight power runs it proved unfruitful as the wildcats matched the Chaps physicality. Westlake than took to the air and exploited a defensive weakness as Westlake quarterback Kirkland Michaux would complete a series of passes, 18-yards, 35-yards, 11-yards, and a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jake Misch who was wide open in the end zone.

Guyer electrified the crowd as their speedy kick returner brought the ball all the way to the house. However a flag was thrown and it was called back due to holding, the fans excitement soared then plummeted. The Wildcats would have to slog it out getting down field as they went through three 4th down conversions. They then suffered a major casualty with the loss of star quarterback Eli Stowers due to injury. Stowers, a four-star recruit committed to Texas A&M is reported to have torn the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his left knee. With Wildcat fans shocked, silent and heartbroken, freshman qb Jackson Arnold bravely took the field. Arnold whose hands were visibly shaking, understandably having been thrown in to the un-fillable shoes of Stowers, attempted his his first throw, which was intercepted by defensive back Michael Taffe in the end zone.

The game from here on out would be a defensive one. Guyer continued that trend forcing Westlake into a three and out. Jackson Arnold would than fumble the snap and get sacked on the ensuing play by Westlake defensive end Austin McClendon once again forcing them to punt.


Denton Guyer got the ball back after a Westlake punt and star running back Kaedrick Cobb went to work weaving and juking his way through defenders for a pickup of 26-yards. Than the pressure came as Westlake defensive back Michael Taff came roaring into the pocket and dropped Arnold for a loss.

Westlake would put together a long drive aided by 4th down conversions and somewhat lucky penalties. The highlight was a 10-yard catch by Ryan Lindley and Kirkland Michaux being sacked in the backfield by Dotun Olanipekun. Then on 4th&18 from the 33-yard line the Chaps went for it, what seemed to be a terrible decision was in motion. Michaux rolled out to his left and fired a missile down field to Mason Magnum for a 33-yard score. The Westlake fans erupted.

Guyer would intercept Michaux’s pass before halftime but nothing would result. Westlake did everything fairly well in the first half, they were lock-down on defense and the passing game was roaring, the number one thing was to get Zane Minors going. For Denton Guyer it was about getting the offense going, especially through the air, they had 15 passing yards through the third quarter and that would simply not due against a strong Westlake defense.

Coach Dodge had this to say going in to halftime,”We’re not running the ball well enough right now. We’re making some explosive plays in the passing game. We got to do a better job of protecting the quarterback, the second half. Got to get a little bit more out of our run game.”

Coming out of halftime Guyer quarterback Jackson Arnold just did not want to be pummeled by players 100 pounds heavier than him. Sadly, his wish did not come true. On the first drive he was sacked twice by Austin McClendon and Will McConnell. The Guyer defense would continue to generate pressure on the quarterback but it was no help as the offense was essentially a stationary turret that was out of bullets and the secondary was a piece of armor that was hit one too many times.


Westlake took advantage of this as Kirkland Michaux found a wide open Jackson Coker down the field for a 39-yard touchdown. Westlake put the game on cruise control only scoring a field goal from there on out, but still managing to stay on top. 

Westlake defensive back Henry Smogur would get an interception putting him in company with Michael Taffe (1 int, 1 sack) who won defensive MVP. Michaux completed 20 passes for 285-yards and won the offensive MVP of the championship. His favorite target was Ryan Lindley (7-65) who went out with a hand injury as well as Mason Mangum (3-79-1).

“We have a very physical football team,” said Dodge when asked about the physicality of his players. “We have a bunch of kids that the worst thing that can happen to them is, to come to video on Saturday morning and have their team see them being soft or less than physical or giving less than great effort and that’s such a great peer pressure in our locker room.”

Westlake held their opponents to a scoreless game with a 24-0 victory. Westlake brings the title back home to Westlake/Austin which has not been done since their first state championship trophy in 1996, known as the Drew Brees era. After being eliminated multiple times by North Shore (2019 6A D1 state champion) they finally brought one back, symbolizing a banner year for Todd Dodge where he achieved 200 career wins and a Texas 6A DII State Championship.

“What a tremendous job that they’ve done all year long and I just, I am so happy. I’m so happy about the state championship,”commented Dodge on his team’s victory.

Jackson Coker had this to say about the team’s journey,”It’s unbelievable. This is something you know we’ve been working for, you know some of these guys I’ve been friends with since I was about two years old, and just to come out here and play the way we played is just, I’m at a loss, it’s unbelievable. It means everything, you know, we have a tradition of winning and I’m just glad that we could come out and uphold that to the potential that you know we held ourselves at.”

Westlake Advances to State Championship.

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

At McLane Stadium in Waco, a Texas high school football 6A Division II semifinal took place between the Westlake Chaparrals and the Katy Taylor Mustangs, both teams fighting to advance to the state championship at AT&T Stadium. The Chaps had made it to the semifinals the previous two years but were unable to tell the tale of anything further. The Mustangs, however, were in their first-ever semifinal game. Westlake swiftly eliminated Katy in a massacre ending with the Chaps winning 63-3.

After running through their hand painted banner with the modo ‘Hustle and Heart set us apart’, Katy received to start the game and were immediately welcomed to the semifinal round by Westlake who forced them to punt early. Katy’s defense followed in the same manner forcing Westlake to punt. On Westlake’s next drive they needed to make a play. They started with a 17-yard pass from quarterback Kirkland Michaux to Ryan Lindley. Next Michaux rolled out to his left firing a missile downfield to receiver Mason Mangum for a 33-yard touchdown.

After once again punting Katy’s defense would put up a fight. Mustang linebacker Martian Nowlin was able to sack Kirkland Michaux for a 15-yard loss. Starting in amazing field position on Westlake’s side of the field Katy put a nine play drive together highlighted by Keaton Kubeckas 15-yard catch to set them up for a field goal they would make.

The field goal was a bright spot for Katy and would remain so as their nightmarish first half would drag on and on. Westlake had the ball and were looking to end the game early. Jackson Coker, a jack of all trades, was lined up at running back, Kirkland Michaux found him on a middle seam route for a 60-yard catch and run straight into the endzone.

Westlake’s dominance would continue as defensive end Austin McClendon sacked quarterback J Jensen III. Capitalizing on the short field Kirkland Michaux would find Jake Misch in the back of the end zone for yet another Westlake score. Michaux also found freshman receiver Jaden Greathouse on the quick slant for a 6-yard touchdown.

With 45 seconds remaining in the half, Katy was just trying to make it to halftime alive but Westlake would not let that happen as they hunted the Mustang’s returner down forcing and recovering a fumble. As the Chaps had all game they threw the ball deep and on this play all-time leading Westlake receiver Mason Mangum was the recipient of a 38-yard touchdown.

Mason Mangum catches a 38-yard touchdown pass from Kirkland Micheaux.

Heading into halftime Westlake was up 35-3 and showed no signs of slowing down. On offense, the Chaps were finding holes and exploiting them as Kirkland Michaux had five first half passing touchdowns. The defense was doing their part and I would attribute that to the defensive ends. They collapsed the pocket on passing plays and more importantly played the inside zone and option hand-off incredibly well.

Westlake received to start the second half and the game was all but over as they quickly reasserted their dominance. It started out with a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Coker who was left wide open in the end zone without a defender in sight.

Westlake defensive back Lucas Mireau then intercepted J Jensen III’s pass setting up yet another deep Westlake throw. Mason Mangum would run a great corner-post pattern to find himself once again open in the end zone for his third touchdown and Kirkland’s seventh. Kirkland Michaux wanting to add a little extra scrambled for a 29-yard touchdown to put yet another nail in the coffin.

Kirkland Michaux totaled 215-yards on scoring plays alone, and 302-yards on the day. Mason Mangum lead in the receiving game with 143-yards, all three of his touchdowns were in the 30-40 yard range. Jackson Coker who had 100-yards on the night averaged 33.3-yards per touch as well as a 66% touchdown rate for every touch.

Coach Todd Dodge talks with his Quarterback after a touchdown drive in the 2nd quarter of the 6A Division II semifinal at McLane Stadium in Waco TX Saturday December 14th 2019.

Westlake’s backups came in to the game for the remainder of the fourth quarter. Head coach Todd Dodge and his 2019 Westlake Chaparrals are heading to AT&T Stadium next Saturday to attempt what has not been done in the last 23 years…Bring a championship title home to Westlake. The Chaps will face the number four ranked Texas team Denton Guyer, who is fresh off a 35-17 win over Westfield.

Westlake Advances to Semi-Final Round defeats Brandeis 42-14

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Eight teams entered the Texas high school 6A Division II Regional playoffs, only four teams emerged with a shot at the state championship. The Alamodome was where the Westlake Chaparrals took on the Brandeis Broncos in what turned out to be a one-sided affair as the Chaps dominated in a 42-14 win over the Broncos and took their next step towards a ring.

Westlake received the ball to start the game, hoping to repeat last year’s victory in which they over powered Brandeis 26-0. It was a shaky start for Westlake after quarterback Kirkland Michaux’s first pass was nearly intercepted. On third down receiver Jackson Coker threw the ball on a reverse play to Mason Mangum who dropped it, luckily for them, Ryan Lindley was in the right place at the right time as he caught the tip for a 33-yard gain. Kirkland Michaux threw a fade to 6’4″ freshman Jaden Greathouse who elevated over the defender to make an epic 21-yard touchdown grab.

Unlike Westlake, Brandeis was looking to change the result of last year’s game, starting with an explosive kick return the Broncos would be positioned at Westlake’s 34-yard line. After six moderate gains and a holding penalty, the Broncos were on the 18-yard line. Star running back Corion Holmes was lined up at tight end and for good reason, as Holmes sneaked past the defense finding himself wide open in the end zone for the touchdown.

Westlake would get the ball back and look just as dominant. Brandeis may have them in a 3rd & long but Kirkland Michaux and company would always find a way to move the chains. A great example is 3rd & 14 in which Michaux found Jackson Coker for 16-yards to keep the drive moving. The Chaps would than find themselves on the 1-yard line and the call was obvious, quarterback keeper, Kirkland Michaux powered his way in for Westlake’s second touchdown.   

After an Austin Mcclendon sack Brandeis would be forced to punt the ball away to the dangerous Chaps offense. Kirkland Michaux was getting it done on the ground as he rushed for 49-yards at this point. He was basically a human bowling ball knocking over the Broncos like pins. The Chaps offense would not get a strike or a spare that drive in fact they had a gutter ball as they missed the field goal.

The next Westlake possession was similar to the second and dissimilar to the third. Jaden Greathouse would once again make his presence felt with an 18-yard catch, in the first two-quarters Greathouse had four catches for 55-yards and a touchdown. This helped set up Kirkland Michaux for yet another 1-yard touchdown run moving the lead to 21-7.

Heading into halftime Westlake’s offense was looking good and in my opinion had one standout, Jackson Coker. Coker is essentially playing the Taysom Hill (Saints quarterback) role on this team. Coker totaled 109-yards throwing, running and receiving the ball. One player the Chaps needed to get involved was junior running back Zane Minors who had four carries up until this point for 18-yards.

Brandeis would get the ball to start the second half and they were looking for any glimmer of offense they could find. Junior quarterback Jordan Battles sparked that with a 36-yard run that would be put to waste as Brandeis missed the field goal. Westlake now in possession took my advice and feed the beast in Zane Minors.

Minors would get the first four touches on the drive and earn 17-yards. Much like Brandeis, Westlake would not be able to put up any points after turning the ball over. With reinvigorated energy Brandeis was fired up, so was Westlake’s Bobby Duncan as he would strip Battles of the ball and Taevin Brown would recover for Westlake.

Westlake would later go onto run the score as well as stat lines. With a 20-yard pass to Ryan Lindley, an 11-yard touchdown run by Zane Minors, a 22-yard touchdown throw from Michaux to Greathouse, a 6-yard touchdown run by Zane Minors and just for fun an interception by Westlake safety Sage Luther.

Kirkland Michaux (who would be taken out later in the game) threw for 153-yards and a touchdown while completing 17/24 passes, Michaux also added 50-yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Zane Minors would rush for 66-yards on 13 carries. Ryan Lindley had 93-receiving yards, Jaden Greathouse totaled 93-yards.

In the end, Westlake played very well on both sides of the ball. They will face a formidable opponent in the State Semi-finals round that has been somewhat challenging in recent years. Westlake will look to change that narrative as they face the winner of the upcoming Katy Taylor/Cy Creek game next Saturday in Waco.

Westlake prepares for area round against Brennan Bears

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

The Westlake Chaps have been dominant in regular season play and look to continue their streak in the second round of the playoffs. A team that is used to winning expects to win. They handled the Cibolo Steele Knights convincingly 30-7 in the first round with ease.

Up next are the Brennan Bears at Texas State stadium over in San Marcos, last year they cruised to a 49-7 win, but Coach Dodge doesn’t want to look past them as they travel down IH-35.  “We’re very excited to play at Texas State stadium we haven’t played there. Brennan is a very good team, we played them last year, but it didn’t show how well of a team they were, we jumped on them early.”

Coach wanted to make sure the Chaps doesn’t overlook their opponent. With just one loss this entire season he understands not to look at their next challenge. Every game is important. This week Coach Dodge wanted his team to take in this is a whole new year.   “They (team) understand that Brennan is 9-2, they’re good and a very athletic team.” A one game at a time approach.  A great team is disciplined and continues to get better.

Coach Todd Dodge asks for an explanation from an official on the sidelines in the Battle of the Lakes game at Lake Travis on October 11th 2019. The Cavs defeated Westlake 26-25!

Coach Dodge has one phrase of how his guys will respond when he needs them to make plays. “Next one in line.” Dodge believes in his players, no matter the conditions. He’s led them to a near perfect season. Westlake’s lone loss came against Lake Travis as they lost by one. Close games will not be an issue for his team. 

As the next playoff stage of teams get ready to play it will all come down to coaching. Coach Dodge has earned himself as Central Texas’s top tier coaches.As the playoffs filter out the elite teams closing out their games let’s hope Westlake will stand victorious in San Marcos.

Westlake defeats Cibolo Steel in first round 30-7

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

A familiar playoff matchup took place at Chaparral stadium between the Cibolo Steele Knights and the Westlake Chaps. Just two years ago Westlake had knocked the Knights out of the playoffs in a 28-14 victory. The Knights were trying to rewrite history in the first round of Texas high school playoffs. History repeated as the Chaps beat the Knights 30-7 in what was a much closer game than the score implied. 


Steele received the ball to start the game, a game that would be dominated by defense. Steele would go three and out setting the Westlake Chaparrals up in great field position. After picking up a first down or two the Chaps found themselves in a 3rd&16 situation after a fumbled snap by Kirkland Michaux. Michaux found star receiver Mason Magnum for 13-yards but with a price as Magnum took a massive hit flipping him in the air.
Going for it on fourth down Kirkland threw up a fade to 6’4″ freshman receiver Jaden Greathouse who drew a pass interference call. The Chaps would later make a field goal, giving them a 3 point lead.  


Steele’s drive would open with an explosive play as receiver Daryn Mcknight took an end-around for 33-yards. Coming into the game Mcknight had only had four carries those had gone for 112 yards and an average of 28. Steele would not be able to push the momentum forward as they threw three incompletions. With the kicking unit coming onto the field they were hoping to tie up the game, star Westlake safety Sage Luther had a different idea as he blocked the kick, Braden Duncan would recover and return it to the 47-yard line. 


Westlake would replicate the opening drive as they drove down the field and finished it off with a field goal. Only up by 6 points, Steele could take the lead back with a big play. Steele placed together another strong drive highlighted by Daniel Jackson’s 15-yard catch and De’Quavion Thomas’ 5-yard touchdown run.


There was one matchup in particular that every fan loved watching and had a undeniable impact on the game. It was #5 vs #5 Daryn Mcknight vs Sage Luther. Mcknight was a big-time playmaker for Steele as they never stopped feeding him the ball. He was always covered by Westlakes promising safety Sage Luther. One would make a giant play and then the other would come right back with one of their own. Sometimes they would cancel each other out, regardless, it was a great matchup of two competitors. 


Kirkland Michaux answered Steeles touchdown instantly as he found senior receiver Ryan Lindley on a 38-yard corner route for a walk-in touchdown. This set the Westlake section on fire, it was the big play they needed to assert dominance and take over the game. 
Westlake would soon get the ball back after a Steele punt and they tried to repeat history in throwing the corner route again. This time history was not so forgiving as Kirkland’s pass was intercepted by Maison Sharp who made an excellent catch on the sideline. 


The Knights were officially in their two-minute drill trying to get a score and even the game up before half time. The drive started with a 40-yard pass to Daryn Mcknight who was tackled by Sage Luther. Steele quarterback Wyatt Beagle scrambled for 11-yards just enough to convert on 3rd down. Beagle would than find Daniel Jackson on a 15-yard pass over the middle. On the next play, Beagle would overthrow his receiver and be snatched out of the air by Westlake defender Michael Taffee. Westlake would capitalize on the field position and score a field goal putting them up 16-7 heading into halftime. 


Heading into halftime both teams have played great games but both also needed to improve certain areas of their game. For Steele, it was about getting into the endzone and cashing in on possessions. They were to close too many times to have only scored 7 points in the first half. For Westlake they needed to run the ball more effectively, they needed to move the chains and not force turnovers if they wanted to keep their lead. 
Westlakes offense started heating up in the 4th quarter. Steele’s defense felt defeated and Westlake took advantage of that running the ball straight up the gut down after down. Westlake receiver Jason Croker (lined up at running back) sprinted through the running lane than dove into the endzone for a 4-yard Westlake touchdown.


Westlake will move onto the second round of the playoffs where they will face Brennan High who are fresh off a 35-13 win over Roosevelt. Coincidentally Westlake squared up against Brennan in round two of the playoffs last year with Westlake winning 49-7.