Westlake Stuns North Shore, Marches Back to State Title Game
What was billed as a heavyweight showdown turned into a one-sided display of power. The Westlake Chaparrals shut down North Shore’s vaunted attack and rolled to a 35-10 victory Friday night at Legacy Stadium in the UIL Class 6A Division I semifinal.
The win pushes Westlake (14-1) into the championship game, where the Chaps will meet the winner of Duncanville (13-0) vs. North Crowley (14-0) on Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. inside AT&T Stadium.
Defense Sets the Tone
From the opening drive, Westlake’s defense dictated the game. The Mustangs managed a field goal early, but every possession afterward was a grind. Quarterback Kaleb Bailey finished with 95 rushing yards and 153 through the air, but little came easy. North Shore (14-1) couldn’t break free against a defense that surrendered just 10 points — well below the Mustangs’ season average.
Wise Beyond His Years
While the defense smothered, junior quarterback Rees Wise gave the Chaps all the firepower they needed. Wise was nearly flawless, completing 8 of 10 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns while also adding a 3-yard rushing score.
He spread the wealth, connecting with Chase Bowen (37 yards), Cash Robin (22 yards), and Grady Bartlett (19 yards) for scores. Bartlett also showed off his versatility, tacking on 84 rushing yards and a spectacular 81-yard reception.
Early Statement, Strong Finish
After falling behind 3-0, Westlake quickly flipped momentum. Elijah Clark’s 51-yard sprint ignited the Chaps’ offense, and Wise followed with back-to-back touchdown passes to push the lead to 21-3.
North Shore cut the deficit to 21-10 just before halftime with a 9-yard TD grab by Quanell Farrahkan Jr., but that was the Mustangs’ final spark.
The second half was all Westlake. Wise hit Bartlett for a third-quarter touchdown, then sealed the night with his short rushing score in the fourth. Payton Luther’s interception in the red zone erased any hope of a Mustang rally.
The Numbers
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Total Yards: Westlake 436, North Shore 349
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Rushing: Westlake 229, North Shore 167
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Passing: Westlake 207, North Shore 182
What’s Next
For Westlake, the mission is clear: finish the job. With one more win, the Chaps can add another championship banner to their storied program. For North Shore, the season ends with its first loss — and a reminder of how difficult it is to solve Westlake’s combination of balance and brute force.
FINAL: Westlake 35, North Shore 10.
