For the second game of my weekend double header to kick-off
the 2016 football season, I went to
Chaparral Stadium to see the Westlake Chaps host the perennial power KatyTigers.
Westlake is coached by Todd Dodge. The Chaps ended last season in a heart
breaking overtime loss to Galena Park North Shore in the 6A Division 1 state
championship game. They entered this game
ranked #5 in the Associated Press preseason poll. The Katy Tigers are led by Gary Joseph. Last season ended on a triumphant note for
the Tigers as they dominated Westlake’s district rival Lake Travis for the 6A
Division 2 state championship. They
start this season ranked as the #1 6A team in Texas.
This game is an early season bout between two real
heavy weights of Texas football. Can
Katy’s defense harass Sam Ehlinger and slow down the high powered Chap
offense? Can Westlake stop the always
powerful Katy running attack? We’ll find
out. . .
Before we get to the game, let’s talk about barbecue.
. .
The
Barbecue
Kerlin BBQ has been serving up delicious smoky treats from
a food truck at its 1700 East Cesar Chavez location for three years. Don’t let the humble set up fool you. Their barbecue will stand up with any barbecue
served by their better known competitors in central Texas.
Their brisket was superb: moist and tender, with a
deep smoky flavor. The outer bark was
very peppery and the taste lingered after every bite. The pork ribs were meaty and juicy. The meat came away from the bone with a gentle
tug and melted in my mouth. Their sauce
was a typical ketchup/vinegar type sauce, but was totally unneeded. The barbeque was served with a big slice of
red onion and homemade pickle chips.
Kerlin BBQ is an undiscovered gem. Spectacular food, friendly staff, and a
comfortable atmosphere. A great place to
hang out with friends and enjoy some great BBQ.
I give Kerlin’s my highest rating: two Hook ‘Ems!
The
Game
Both defenses dominated in the first quarter. Each team only got a couple of first downs
and the quarter ended with no score.
After a short second quarter punt, Westlake started a drive. Connor Howard burst through a hole and
scampered untouched for the game’s first score.
The PAT kick was no good and Westlake led 6-0. Katy fumbled the ensuing kick-off and the
ball was recovered by Westlake. A couple
of plays later, Izaiah Faz scored from the one.
The try for two was good and Westlake led 14-0.
In a secret laboratory under his office, Coach Gary Joseph
manufactures great running backs. This
year’s edition is Deondrick Glass. He answered for the Tigers on their next
possession with a 59 yard power sweep to the left for a touchdown. Katy missed the extra point and the first
half ended with Westlake up 14-6.
Katy came out hot after half time. On their first possession, strong runs by
Glass moved the Tigers deep into Westlake territory. Kevon Copeland picked up a critical first down
on fourth and three to move the ball to the Chaps 18. Quarterback Rocky Emery hit JC Angulo in the
right flat. Angulo avoided two tacklers
to score. The Tigers went for two, but
Glass was stopped short leaving Westlake ahead 14-12. On Katy’s next
possession, Glass needed just one play to go off tackle for a 37 yard score. The extra point was good and Katy took the
lead at 19-14.
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| Austin skyline in the distance |
The Tiger lead did not last long. Chaps quarterback Sam Ehlinger found Howard
deep for a 64 yard completion to the Tigers 11. After an interference penalty,
Ehlinger took it in himself. The try for
two was good and the Chaps regained the lead at 22-19 with 5:16 left in the
third.
Katy returned the ensuing kick-off to their 40 yard
line. Time again for Glass to
rumble. The Tigers moved the ball into
Westlake territory, but had to settle for a 35 yard field goal to tie the score at 22.
Westlake started their next drive from their 25. Ehlinger hit Noah Skrudland on a slant
pattern for seven yards. Then Ehlinger
teamed up with Andrew Boykin for a 43 yard completion down to the Tigers
25. As the action moved into the fourth
quarter, Westlake made a 28 yard field goal to regain the lead at 25-22 with
10:10 remaining on the clock.
Katy returned the kick-off to their 30 yard line. The Tigers once again relied on their strong running
game to move the chains, but their tight end dropped a first down pass on third
and five. Katy’s punt sailed into the
end zone for a touchback.
Clinging to a three point lead, Westlake started from
their own 20 yard line with 8:08 in the game.
The Chaps mixed up their attack: short passes from Ehlinger and runs by
Ehlinger and Nakia Watson. The Tiger
defense was starting to tire as the Chaps reached the Katy 17. With three minutes left in the game, Ehlinger
scrambled to avoid the Katy rush, then found Andrew Boykin in the end
zone. The extra point pushed the Chaps
lead to 10, 32-22.
Katy answered with a 64 yard bomb from Emery to Angulo
to cut the Westlake lead to three with 2:06 to play, but their dream of a
miracle come back ended when their onsides kick bounced out of bounds. Westlake took possession and ran out the
clock to win 32-29.
Katy ended the game with 361 total yards. Deondrick Glass had 16 carries for 178 yards
and two touchdowns. Devon Copeland ran
the ball seven times for 29 yards. Rocky
Emery completed 6 out of 13 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. JC Angulo
had three receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
The story for Westlake was their all-star quarterback
Sam Ehlinger. He completed 17 of 27
passes for 264 yards and the game clinching touchdown. He also carried the ball 17 times for 68
yards and a touchdown. Andrew Boykin had
seven catches for 115 yards, including the crucial catch in the end zone at the
end of the game. Connor Howard had two
runs for 35 yards and a touchdown. He
also caught 4 passes for 91 yards, but had to leave the game in the third quarter
with a hamstring injury.
News
and Notes
Upcoming games
Lake Travis travels to Cibolo to face the Steele
Knights. The Cavaliers are coming off a
loss to Converse Judson. They scored 21
points in the third quarter to take the lead, only to give up 15 unanswered
points in the fourth to lose 35-28.
Cibolo dominated San Antonio Madison to claim their first win of the
season.
Vandegrift faces old district rival Cedar Park. Vandegrift made the move from 5A to 6A for
2016. They lost their first game on the
road at Odessa Permian 21-20. Cedar Park
won their opening game and moved up to #1 in 5A football.
How did the Top Ten do in the first week?
AP
Top Ten – 6A
- Katy Lost to Westlake 32-29. Fell to 5th.
- Lake Travis Lost to Judson 35-28. Fell to 8th.
- Cedar Hill Lost to Bishop Gorman (Nevada) 44-14. Fell to 9th.
- Allen Beat Hoover 25-7. Moved up to #2.
- Westlake Beat Katy 32-29. Moved up to #1.
- DeSoto Beat Dallas Jesuit 47-13. Moved up to #3.
- Cibolo Steele Beat SA Madison 37-7. Stayed at #7.
- Galena Park North Shore Beat Dekaney 56-19. Moved up to #6.
- Euless Trinity Beat Broken Arrow 39-16. Fell to 10th.
- Converse Judson Beat Lake Travis 35-28. Moved up to #4.
AP
Top Ten – 5A
- Aledo Beat Colleyville Heritage 41-36. Fell to #2.
- Cedar Park Beat Waco Midway 43-13. Moved up to #1.
- Denton Ryan Beat Lancaster 35-23. Stayed at #3.
- Manvel Beat Crosby 35-21. Stayed at #4.
- Temple Beat Belton 28-20. Stayed at #5.
- Frisco Lone Star Beat Heritage 62-14. Stayed at #6.
- Highland Park Beat Rockwall 43-21. Stayed at #7.
- CC Calallen Beat Mercedes 20-7. Stayed at #8.
- Richmond Foster Beat Katy Taylor 28-17. Stayed at #9.
- Lancaster Lost to Denton Ryan 35-23. Fell out of Top Ten.
Attached is the video for this adventure:
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