BY: TREVOR NEWTON
In a bid to dethrone the reigning champions, Westlake emerged victorious in their Austin face-off against Lake Travis, earning the right to challenge North Shore in the state semifinals.
However, toppling North Shore is no easy feat. Under the guidance of head coach Willie Gaston, the Mustangs have maintained their dominance, eyeing their fifth state title game appearance in six years. The sole occasion they missed out was against Westlake in 2020, when the Chaps secured a tight 24-21 victory.
Last year’s semifinal showdown saw North Shore prevailing with a 49-34 win, showcasing their formidable prowess.
North Shore’s resilience was evident in their last match, rallying from an early 14-0 deficit to claim a hard-fought 34-28 win against Atascocita. Quarterback Kaleb Bailey shone, amassing 241 passing yards and two touchdowns while also contributing 39 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Supported by a talented receiving corps featuring standouts like Cameron Smith, Christopher Barnes, and Terrence Guillory, Bailey commands a potent offense. Defensively, the Mustangs flaunt stars like five-star corner Devin Sanchez and three-star safety LaVonte Johnson, fortifying their secondary.
Westlake, entrusting their offense to promising sophomore Rees Wise, seeks to capitalize on his potential. Despite a commendable performance of 133 passing yards and 84 rushing yards in their recent 21-14 win over Lake Travis, Wise struggled with three interceptions, emphasizing the importance of ball security in this critical matchup.
The Chaparrals rely heavily on Army commit running back Jack Kayser to diversify their offensive approach. When the passing game is in play, Wise can target talents like three-star receiver Heath McRee, along with juniors Brody Wilhelm and Cal Livengood.
While lacking the star power of North Shore, Westlake boasts ample experience at this level of competition. Their strategy likely revolves around avoiding a high-scoring affair with the Mustangs, aiming instead to establish an early run game and execute disciplined football. This approach sets the stage for a competitive showdown, offering Westlake an opportunity to vie for victory in the game’s crucial stages.
