Westlake quarterback Rees Wise throws a pass as Westlake takes on Vista Ridge at Chaparral Stadium on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
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With high school football in Texas beginning next week, the American-Statesman is ranking the top 10 teams in the Austin area.
Westlake was one of two Central Texas teams to reach AT&T Stadium last year for the UIL state finals. Can they match that performance and earn this season?
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The Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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Quarterback Jack Appl (2) throws during drills as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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The Liberty Hill Panthers at practice, Aug. 18, 2025.
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Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) celebrates a reception at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) runs a route during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Quarterback Jack Appl (2) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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Players head down to the stadium between drills at Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Quarterback Jack Appl (2) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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Wide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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Liberty Hill Panthers running back Bryce Muchaw (12) at practice, Aug. 18, 2025.
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The freshman team watches varsity run drills during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Wide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) hydrates during a break as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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The Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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Liberty Hill Panthers defensive lineman Alister Vallejo (18) at practice, Aug. 18, 2025.
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Players head down to the stadium between drills at Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Wide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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Wide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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Wide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) watches a drill as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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A player holds his helmet during a break as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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Quarterbacks run drills as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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Quarterback Jack Appl (2) runs drills as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.
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Georgetown linebacker Tennison Dean (53) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Georgetown head coach Chuck Griffin speaks with running back Jett Walker (28) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Football players hydrate to combat the heat during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Players head down to the stadium between drills at Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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The freshman team watches varsity run drills during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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A player takes a break from practicing in the heat during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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Georgetown head coach Chuck Griffin speaks to his team during practice, Aug. 12, 2025.
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The poll was completed by three sports writers and an editor. Our No. 10 team is Round Rock, following by No. 9 Dripping Springs, No. 8 Weiss, No. 7 Georgetown, No. 6 Bastrop and No. 5 Liberty Hill, No. 4 Cedar Park, No. 3 Lake Travis and No. 2 Vandegrift. Today we highlight No. 1 Westlake, which is coming off a state runnerup finish in Class 6A Division I.
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Here’s more on the Chaps:
No. 1 Westlake Chaparrals football
Three things about the Chaps, who went 14-2, swept through District 26-6A and lost to North Crowley in the Class 6A DI championship game:
Same powerhouse status
This is a typical Westlake team of the past decade that has state title aspirations. With talent and depth at every position and head coach Tony Salazar being a defensive mastermind, it would be stunning if the Chaps aren’t still playing in December. Early-season adjustments combined with a brutal nondistrict slate could yield a loss before district play starts, but 8-2 is the floor for this squad in the regular season.
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Rees Wise paces an offense that has to reload
Quarterback Rees Wise returns for his third year as a starter, providing a luxury for the Westlake coaching staff. Committed to Ole Miss, he’s coming off a junior season where he threw for 2,598 yards and 23 touchdowns and ran for another 15 scores. Noticeably bigger and possibly even taller from nine months earlier, don’t be surprised if he improves on the 464 rushing yards he tallied last fall, especially with most of his weapons from a year ago having graduated. Plus, with returning linemen Will Hesse and William Twardowski joined by talented transfer Jackson Cook up front, look for the Chaps run game to be very effective.
Defense should shine again
There’s talent at all three levels, with lineman Maddox Flynt, a TCU commit, leading a defense that should be stout. LB Mason Lastor and safety Thompson Bennett are other notable returning starters for a side of the ball that, under Salazar, seemingly knows its opponents’ playbook every week. DB Wylie Nichols and defensive lineman Austin Knape will also play big roles.
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Key game: Oct. 24 vs. Lake Travis
The “Battle of the Lakes” is the top game in the Austin area and one of the top games in the state — and it should determine the District 26-6A title. Both teams play tough nondistrict schedules and may not enter the contest undefeated, but the gap between these two and the rest of the district is massive. Westlake has won six straight in the series, with Lake Travis’ last victory coming in 2019.
Westlake football news and notes
Keep an eye on wide receiver Lawson Grimes. He caught nine passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns in three games before suffering a season-ending injury last fall. Salazar praised his work ethic in rehab and pointed to him being a talent on the team that most of the public doesn’t know about. Running the 100-meter dash in 10.8 seconds as a sophomore, his speed should give opposing secondaries problems. … Westlake is a program where a lot of good players don’t get on the field until their senior years. Plenty of big-time contributors for the Chaps this fall will be program players who suited up on the junior varsity last fall. … A lot of things have to take place, but the possibility of an all-Austin area regional final exists. Whether Westlake lands in Division I or II, it seems probable that it would face a nearby school if it advances to the fourth round of the playoffs. A rematch with Lake Travis seems likely in Division I, while defending state champion Vandegrift could be looming in Division II.
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