New Chaps Era Starts Slow but Finishes Strong
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Updated: August 27, 2022
photos: Steve Thomas
Austin Westlake Uses Dominant Second Half to Defeat Fort Bend Ridge Point
Entering the new season, the Fort Bend Ridge Point Panthers and Austin Westlake Chaparrals both felt they had something to prove. For Westlake, the Chaps wanted to prove that they were still one of the elite teams in Texas high school football. After winning three consecutive state championships and going 45-1 over the last three seasons under Head Coach Todd Dodge, the Chaps began a new era under former defensive coordinator Tony Salazar. The Chaps also had to replace star quarterback Cade Klubnik. Despite the significant losses, the Chaps returned amount of experience. This included players such as wide receivers Jaden Greathouse and Keaton Kubecka, defensive lineman Colton Vasek, running back Jackson Kayser, and offensive lineman TJ Shanahan.
For Ridge Point, the Panthers were looking to take their program to new heights of success. In his first two years, Head Coach Rick LaFavers has already led the Panthers to consecutive district titles and deep playoff runs. This year, the Panthers looked to make a push for a state championship.
On Friday night at Chaparral Stadium, Westlake took a big step in proving that they are still the team to beat in 6A. After a sluggish first half, the Chaps defense tightened up; and the offense used a heavy dose of the run game to secure a 44-14 victory over the Panthers.
In the first quarter, Ridge Point struck first. A bad snap on a Westlake punt set up the Panthers with excellent field position, and quarterback Samson Wheeler connected with receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman for a touchdown on a 27-yard flea-flicker. The Panthers’ defense forced a punt on the next Westlake possession, but Westlake defensive back Will Magids intercepted Wheeler’s pass and returned the ball to the Ridge Point four-yard line. One play later, Jackson Kayser tied the game at 7-7 with a four-yard touchdown run.
Wheeler connected with receiver Mason Dossett for a 49-yard pass. Then, running back Ezell Jolly put the Panthers back in the lead with a two-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. On the ensuing drive, the Chaps offense responded with a heavy dose of the ground game; and running back Nate Acosta tied the game at 14-14 on a one-yard touchdown run. Following the touchdown, the Panthers drove the ball deep into Westlake territory; but Wheeler fumbled the snap on fourth down and turned the ball over on downs. The Chaps were able to build off of that stop as quarterback Paxton Land connected with Keaton Kubecka on a 32-yard touchdown pass to give Westlake its first lead of the night.
In the second half, the tide continued to turn in Westlake’s favor. On Ridge Point’s second drive of the half, Keaton Kubecka blocked the Panther punt; and Westlake receiver Bryce Chambers recovered the ball at the Panthers’ nine-yard line. Two plays later, Kayser extended Westlake’s lead to 28-14 on a two-yard touchdown run. To make matters worse for Ridge Point, Samson Wheeler took a late hit that knocked him out of the rest of the game.
Later in the third quarter, Paxton Land gave Westlake a 35-14 lead with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Chambers. Following the touchdown, Westlake linebacker Elliot Schaper sacked Ridge Point quarterback Byron George Jr in the end zone for a safety. Westlake running back Nate Acosta returned the free kick to the Ridge Point 13-yard line. Four plays later, Kayser brought the game to its final score with a five-yard touchdown run.
After the game, both coaches emphasized the need to clean up mistakes and cut down on penalties. For his part, Coach LaFavers said the he felt like his team beat themselves with some of the mistakes that they made. He was confident, though, that his players could make the necessary adjustments. Coach Salazar acknowledged his team’s mistakes in the first half, especially in terms of penalties and third- down defense. He also praised his team for stepping up and making adjustments in the second half.
Next week, Westlake will travel to suburban San Antonio to face the Converse Judson Rockets. Ridge Point, meanwhile, will return home to face the Dickinson.
by Steve Thomas
Players pictured:
Westlake:
#5 Keaton Kubecka
#7 Paxton Land
#17 Will Magids
#23 Nathan Blue
#33 Jackson Kayser
#46 Byers Petty
#65 Kyle Natenstedt
#70 Riley Kennedy
#73 Tyler Knape
Ridge Point:
#2 Ezell Jolly
#3 Mason Dossett
#11 Samson Wheeler
#17 Carter Groen
#32 Payton Doucet
#34 Calvin Alexander
#35 Xavier Myers
#64 Charlie Murphy
#75 Peyton Farmer
#90 DK Kalu
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