Austin Westlake Routs Midland Lee

Chaps conclude non-district play with dominant win over Rebels

Austin Westlake head coach Tony Salazar cast a wide net when assembling his team’s non-district schedule. The Chaparrals hosted Inglewood (Calif.), Euless Trinity, and Midland Lee and traveled to Prosper, with Trinity being the closest opponent at 182 miles away. Westlake opened the season with wins over Inglewood and Trinity before suffering its first loss on the road at Prosper. Regarding the non-district schedule, Coach Salazar said, "It gets you (the team) ready for big opponents and big games."

On Friday night, the Chaps wrapped up their non-district schedule emphatically, routing the Midland Lee Rebels 49-6. The victory, which came after a bye week, helped Westlake put its loss at Prosper firmly in the rearview mirror. As Coach Salazar said, "(The win) builds confidence."

From the opening kickoff, Westlake was in complete control. The Chaparrals built a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter behind a nine-yard touchdown run from freshman standout C.J. Jones, a one-yard quarterback keeper by Patton Jones, and a 16-yard touchdown reception by Nash Chapman.

Westlake continued to pour it on in the second quarter. Braden Riddell hauled in a 7-yard touchdown pass, and C.J. Jones added his second score of the night on an 18-yard hook-and-ladder play. Just before halftime, Chase Brodhead broke free for a 31-yard touchdown run to extend the Chaps' advantage. Pete Fredenburg capped the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown keeper in the fourth quarter.

Midland Lee's early miscues proved costly, as Westlake capitalized on favorable field position throughout the first half. The Rebels opened the game by returning the kickoff out of the end zone only to be stopped at their own 9-yard line. After forcing a three-and-out, Westlake took over at Midland Lee's 5-yard line when a late-hit penalty on the punt return handed the Chaparrals prime field position. The Rebels' next possession ended when Westlake sniffed out a fake punt in Midland Lee territory, further fueling the Chaps' fast start.

Ja'Braylen Anders appeared to provide a spark for the Rebels with an 80-plus-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. However, a penalty wiped out the score. Quarterback Santiago Mendoza eventually accounted for Midland Lee's lone points, breaking free for a 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Next week, Westlake(3-1) will host Round Rock (4-1, 1-0) in the Chaps' district opener on Thursday, October 1.

Midland Lee(3-2) will conclude its non-district schedule against Somerset Academy Losee from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Players Pictured

Austin Westlake

#1 Rhett Jenkins

#25 Holden Helms

#27 Cade Matthews

#43 C.J. Jones

#74  Jackson Cook

Midland Lee

#3 Ja'Braylen Anders

#8 Lorenzon Carrillo

#10 Cash Tranum

#22 Jaime Munoz

#71 Brayden Zeno

#83 Elijah Foster