Wise, Westlake Outlast Atascocita in Thriller
Friday night’s matchup between No. 25 Atascocita and No. 12 Westlake lived up to its billing: big plays, costly mistakes, and a fourth-quarter finish that decided everything. When the dust settled, the Chaparrals walked out of Atascocita with a 35-28 win, improving to 2-1 on the season.
Quarterback Rees Wise shouldered the load for Westlake, throwing for 187 yards with two touchdown strikes and delivering the game-winning score himself on a late keeper. His poise proved the difference in a battle that swung wildly across four quarters.
Atascocita, playing without star signal-caller Cardae Mack, leaned heavily on senior CJ Toney—and he nearly carried them to an upset. Toney ripped off touchdown runs of 69 and 70 yards, finishing with three scores on the ground in a dazzling performance.
But turnovers haunted the Eagles. Twice in the fourth quarter, they put the ball on the turf, both miscues crushing drives that could have tied the game. The final dagger came when backup QB Isaiah Rasheed—pressed into duty after Mack’s absence—was stripped in the closing minutes. Westlake pounced on the loose ball and sealed the win with victory formation kneel-downs.
The contest had the feel of a heavyweight fight from the opening whistle. Toney’s early lightning bolt gave Atascocita a 7-0 lead, only for Wise to answer with a 22-yard strike to sophomore Chase Brodhead. Mistakes by both special teams units kept the first half chaotic, and the two squads traded blows until halftime, knotted 21-21.
The second half was more of the same: Toney’s 70-yard sprint gave the Eagles momentum, but Westlake’s defense stiffened when it mattered most. Wise’s late scoring run put the Chaps ahead for good, and the defense delivered the stops needed to finish the job.
Both teams showed why they’re among the state’s best, but only Westlake found a way to survive the final stretch.
Final: Westlake 35, Atascocita 28.
