Westlake Wins Great Lake Showdown

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: September 26, 2022

Austin Westlake vs Austin Lake Travis by Steve Smith

photos: Steve Thomas

Austin Westlake Extends Win Streak to 44 With Win Over Lake Travis

Friday night featured a titanic clash of Texas high school football powerhouses between the Austin Westlake Chaparrals and their arch rivals, the Lake Travis Cavaliers. Westlake entered the game at 3-0 overall and 1-0 in district. The Chaps were also on a 43-game win streak extending back to 2019. Lake Travis, the last team to beat Westlake, entered the game at 2-2 and 2-0 in district. The Cavaliers started the season at 0-2 after losing close contests to state powerhouses Arlington Martin and Cibolo Steele but posted convincing wins in their first two district contests against Buda Johnson and Austin Akins. In Friday’s game, the Cavaliers had an excellent chance to end Westlake’s win streak. Westlake, however, overcame a sloppy first half and rallied for a 35-20 win over the Cavaliers.

In the first half, the Cavaliers came out swinging. On the opening drive, tight end Sam Self caught a 16-yard touchdown pass to put Lake Travis ahead 7-0. Following the touchdown, Lake Travis defensive back Tyler Brown jumped the route and intercepted quarterback Brett Skinner’s pass. The Cavaliers drove the ball into Westlake territory, but Westlake defensive back Will Magids recovered running back Nico Hamilton’s fumble near the 29-yard line. In the second quarter, Westlake finally got on the board. Receiver Bryce Chambers caught a 27-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7. Shortly before halftime, Lake Travis kicker Hunter Rioux netted a 35-yard field goal to put Lake Travis back in front 10-7.

For as tough as the first half was for Westlake, the second half appeared to get off to an even worse start. On the opening drive of the third quarter, Lake Travis defensive lineman Gustavo Cordova recovered a fumbled snap at the Westlake 25-yard line. Despite the setback, the Westlake defense stood strong and forced the Cavaliers to settle for Hunter Rioux’s second field of the night from 36 yards. Following a punt on Westlake’s next drive, the Chaparral defense turned the tide of the game. Defensive lineman Nate Weyand recovered Cavalier quarterback Kadyn Leon’s fumble at the Lake Travis 11-yard line. After the fumble, Skinner connected with receiver Jaden Greathouse on an eight-yard touchdown catch and gave Westlake its first lead of the night at 14-13. On the ensuing drive, the Chaps defense came up big again stopping Lake Travis short on fourth-and-two deep in Westlake territory.

Early in the fourth quarter, Westlake running back Jackson Kayser sent the home side into a frenzy when he broke free for a 41-yard touchdown run to put Westlake ahead 21-13. On the ensuing Lake Travis drive, Westlake defensive lineman Wyatt Dollar ripped the ball out of Lake Travis running back Marcion Williamson’s hands. Shortly thereafter, Kayser found the end zone again on a four-yard touchdown run. Sam Self caught his second touchdown of the night to pull Lake Travis back to within 28-20, but Skinner connected with Greathouse again on a 25-yard touchdown pass to seal the game for Westlake.

After the game, Westlake Head Coach Tony Salazar acknowledged his team’s early struggles but also praised his team’s resilience. “It wasn’t pretty, but we got the win,” Salazar said. Salazar said that he had some choice words for his team at half time, but he also acknowledged that his players knew that they had not played well. Salazar said, “They’re mature enough champions that they knew the first half was bad.” However, Salazar also credited his team with rallying together and rising to the occasion in the second half. He also praised offensive lineman TJ Shanahan for overcoming an apparent leg injury and inspiring his teammates. Salazar said, “When the guy’s almost in tears lying on the ground…if he’s not going to quit, that spoke volumes to our team.” With the win, Westlake improves to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in district. Next week, the Chaparrals will travel to Del Valle to take on the Del Valle Cardinals (1-4, 1-2.) Lake Travis falls to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in district. The Cavaliers have a bye next week and will then host Del Valle on October 7^th.

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Westlake