Austin American-Statesman writer Rick Cantu summed up the massive District 26-6A rematch that awaits this Saturday the best:
Westlake and Lake Travis have combined for 10 state football championships. It’s a game that promotes itself.
Texas high school football, in general, doesn’t require any anticipatory filler or theatrics, and this Austin-area battle multiplies that sentiment by a thousand.
The regional semifinal at the Pfield in Pflugerville is a rematch of the regular season game that became one of the more thrilling contests on the 2023 schedule.
Both teams entered that game undefeated, with Westlake holding the No. 15 spot in the Super 25 rankings. The outcome—or more to the point: Lake Travis playing spoiler—was heavily dependent on the defensive side of the ball.
Both teams met that expectation (and then some) as the Chaparrals edged out the Cavaliers 20-14, extending the Westlake program’s massive regular-season winning streak to 36 games.
That was then. This is now.
Each team has been on an impressive run, with the defenses standing out as two of the best.
Westlake enters the semifinal now ranked No. 14 in the Super 25 with a defense that has allowed 122 points allowed in 13 games. And the offense has continued to progress, with sophomore QB Rees Wise and senior RB Jack Kayser putting up the most impressive stats during the playoff run.
On the other sideline, Lake Travis has nearly matched the Chaps’ top-tier defensive prowess by allowing 165 points in 13 games. From the offensive side of the ball, the team has a solid offensive line in front of class of 2024 standout Nico Hamilton, who has put on a rushing clinic lately.
Which team moves on to possibly notch state football title No. 11?
In the land of 6A Texas football, anything can happen after kickoff.
High school football fans around the nation who are looking to watch the must-see matchup can live stream the game on the NFHS Network.
Westlake Chaparrals quarterback Rees Wise (9) quarterback Paxton Land (7) and tackle Tyler Knape (74) celebrate their 27-14 win against the Dripping Springs Tigers at the District 26-6A football game on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Westlake Chaparral Stadium — West Lake Hills, TX.
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