Westlake Advances over Lake Travis

By Chris Doelle
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: December 3, 2023

Austin Westlake vs Austin Travis playoffs 2023 by Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Austin Westlake Holds Off Lake Travis

Contests between the Austin Westlake Chaparrals and Lake Travis Cavaliers are always high-profile, high-stakes affairs. Normally, local bragging rights and a district title are on the line. Earlier in the season, the Chaparrals held off a late Cavalier rally for a 20-14 win. On Saturday afternoon at the Pfield, however, the stakes were even higher. For Saturday’s game, the stakes included a region championship and a berth in the UIL 6A D1 semifinals.

In addition to being high-stakes, games between these schools, dubbed the Battle of the Lakes, are also frequently exciting contests that go down to the wire. Saturday’s game was no exception. In a game featuring plenty of defense, Westlake defensive backs Denim Collins and Elliott Schaper made two critical fourth-quarter interceptions which sealed a 21-14 win and earned the Chaps a spot in the state semifinals for the seventh-consecutive year.

For most of the first half, defense reigned supreme. Both teams’ offensive drives repeatedly sputtered out due to punts and turnovers. Westlake had a chance to get on the board early in the second quarter, but the Cavaliers blocked kicker 38-yard field goal. Finally, with less than ten seconds remaining in the half, Westlake quarterback Reese Wise broke the deadlock with a 16-yard touchdown pass to receiver Cal Livengood.

In the second half, turnovers and miscues became the theme. On the opening drive of the second half, Lake Travis defensive back Keiondre Lewis got his second interception of the game. However, Lewis failed to secure the ball and fumbled it right back to Westlake. While the Chaps were unable to score on that possession, they had more success on their next possession. After Wise connected with receiver Heath McRee on a 48-yard pass, running back Jackson Kayser doubled Westlake’s lead with a 16-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing drive, Westlake defensive lineman Connor Vasek recovered Lake Travis running back Nico Hamilton’s fumble.

With the fumble recovery and a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter of a defensive struggle, the Chaps appeared to be on their way to victory. Lake Travis, however, was not done fighting. Linebacker Easton Aird immediately returned the favor on Westlake’s next drive when he recovered receiver Brady Wilhelm’s fumble at the Chaps’ 49-yard line. One play later, Lake Travis quarterback Chaston Ditta connected with receiver Kadyn Leon for a 49-yard touchdown pass. Westlake recovered the onside kick, but Cavalier defensive back Cam’Ren-Chance Brooks ended the Chaps’ drive with an interception. The touchdown breathed some new confidence into the Cavaliers, but Denim Collins’s interception halted Lake Travis’s momentum. Jackson Kayser then scored a four-yard touchdown run to put Westlake up 21-7 with 3:24 to go. Elliott Schaper’s interception on the ensuing drive appeared to salt the game away for Westlake, but the Cavaliers fought to the bitter end. With just under 30 seconds left, Ditta connected with tight end Josiah Thomas for a four-yard touchdown pass; but the Cavaliers could not recover the onside kick.

After the game, a relieved but also excited Westlake Head Coach Tony Salazar praised his team for their hard work and dedication. “These guys worked for six days straight to get this outcome,” Salazar said. With the win, Westlake improves to 14-0 and advances to the 6A D1 semi-finals. The Chaparrals will face the Galena Park North Shore Mustangs in a rematch of the same round last year. In last year’s matchup, the Mustangs prevailed 49-34. The game will be Saturday, December 09, 2023, at 2:00pm CST at the Pfield in Pflugerville.

Lake Travis finishes the year at 11-3. Head Coach Hank Carter praised his team for their performance throughout the year. He also praised the character of his team and expressed regret that he would not get a chance to work with them anymore this season.

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Austin Westlake