Quarterback Rees Wise (9) leads his team in a prayer as the Westlake Chaparrals take the field ahead of their against the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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The Westlake Chaparrals play the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake defensive back Miller Bragg (4) narrowly misses intercepting a pass aimed for Steele wide receiver Wenzel Pollard (4) in the first half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Members of the Westlake Hyline head to the stands as the Chaparrals get ready to take on the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake running back Chase Broadhead (16) catches a pass in the fourth quarter of the Chaparrals’ game against the Knights, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Quarterback Rees Wise (9) carries the flag as the Westlake Chaparrals take the field ahead of their against the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Steele running back Liam Jones (8) carries the ball past a tackle attempt from the Westlake defense in the second half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake running back Braden Riddell (88) leaps over the Steele defense to score in the third quarter of the Chaparrals’ game against the Knights, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Steele Knights running back Liam Jones (8) goes down under the Westlake Chaparral defense in the fourth quarter of the game at Chaparral Stadium, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Steele running back Liam Jones (8) runs the ball in the second half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Quarterback Rees Wise (9) hypes up his team as the Westlake Chaparrals take the field ahead of their against the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake quarterback Rees Wise (9) carries the ball in the second quarter of the Chaparral’s game against the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake running back Braden Riddell (88) dives over the Steele defense to score a touchdown in the second quarter of the Chaparrals’ game against the Knights, Sept. 19, 2025.
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The Westlake Chaparrals take the field ahead of their against the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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A member of the Westlake Hyline dances ahead of the Chaparral’s game against the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake quarterback Rees Wise (9) sends a pass to a teammate in the second quarter of the Chaparral’s game against the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake running back Chase Broadhead (16) runs the ball through Steele defense in the fourth quarter of the Chaparrals’ game against the Knights, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake running back Braden Riddell (88) dives over the Steele defense to score a touchdown in the second quarter of the Chaparrals’ game against the Knights, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake wide receiver Nash Chapman (14) celebrates with teammate wide receiver Rhett Jenkins (80) after Jenkins scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Chaparrals’ game against the Steele Knights, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Members of the band raise their instruments as the Westlake Chaparrals and Steele Knights kick off at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake defensive lineman Maddox Flynt (99) grabs the helmet off of Steele quarterback DJ Green (3) in the first half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake quarterback Rees Wise (9) hands the ball off to running back Jarren Lopez (6) in the first half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake running back Sebastian Henault (38) carries the ball through a tackle attempt from Steele linebacker Jared Ibarra (5) in the second half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake running back  Sebastian Henault (38) carries the ball through a tackle attempt from Steele linebacker Jared Ibarra (5) in the second half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Steele running back Marshall Kenner (23) carries the ball as Westlake defense brings him down in the second half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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A pass slips past the fingers of Steele wide receiver Micahi Sheeler (0) in the second half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Steele running back Liam Jones (8) goes down under Westlake defense in the second half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Steele running back Liam Jones (8) goes down under Westlake defense in the second half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake never enters a football season with a goal of beating Cibolo Steele. Or winning any game in September, for that matter.
While the Chaparrals walked to their locker room Friday night following a convincing 37-14 victory, they were satisfied with the win but know there is room for improvement.
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Steele running back Liam Jones (8) carries the ball past a tackle attempt from the Westlake defense in the second half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake quarterback Rees Wise (9) hands the ball off to running back Jarren Lopez (6) in the first half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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“We left some meat on the bone,” head coach Tony Salazar said.
That was Salazar’s way of saying there were plenty of mistakes that need to be cleaned up before they begin their playoff journey in November. The Chaps (3-1) finished their non-district slate by playing tough competition that should benefit them when their District 26-6A season begins Oct. 2 against Akins.
Here are some takeaways from a warm night at Chaparral Stadium.
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Defense takes over after early miscue
The scouting report indicated that the Chaparrals had to key on Steele’s best player, running back Jonathan Hatton, a Texas A&M pledge who combines raw power with breakaway speed. Imagine the frustration on Westlake’s defensive staff when Hatton ran 75 yards for a touchdown on his first carry from scrimmage. After Westlake had opened with a touchdown on an 11-yard run by quarterback Rees Wise, it took 12 seconds for Steele to tie the game.
Westlake defensive lineman Maddox Flynt (99) grabs the face mask of Steele quarterback DJ Green (3) in the first half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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That would be Steele’s only score until the Knights scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter with the majority of Westlake’s first-team defense on the sideline.
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Hatton, who appeared to be bothered by a foot injury and cramps for much of the game, did not have much of an encore. After that initial burst by Hatton, he rushed for only 39 more yards on nine carries.
“I’m really proud of how the young guys stepped up,” said Westlake defensive end Maddox Flynt, who’s headed to TCU. “We’ve had some injuries on defense and I’m glad they showed up tonight. We’ve got to start fast. We gave them that one score (by Hatton) but we fixed it on the sidelines.”
Flynt said his favorite play was his fumble recovery in the first half.
“I wanted to pick it up and return it, but I don’t think coach would have liked that,” the 285-pound lineman said.
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All told, Steele finished with 250 yards, only 52 through the air.
MORE: Week 4 scores from Central Texas football
Westlake running back Braden Riddell (88) dives over the Steele defense to score a touchdown in the second quarter of the Chaparrals’ game against the Knights, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Westlake got a kick out of Nolan Bartley
Wise, who will continue his football career at Ole Miss next season, led a balanced offense that earned 210 rushing yards and 211 passing yards. He opened his team’s scoring with an early touchdown run and capped it with a short scoring pass to Rhett Jenkins in the fourth quarter.
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When Salazar said the Chaps left some meat on the bone, he was referring to three promising offensive drives that didn’t result in touchdowns. Instead, Westlake relied on kicker Nolan Bartley, who contributed field goals of 30, 36 and 30 yards.
On a night that didn’t have many game-altering plays, Westlake caught a break when safety Hayes Brodhead recovered a fumble on the kickoff that started the second half. Although the Chaps settled for a field goal, the 23-7 lead gave the Chaps a two-touchdown advantage. Steele never threatened.
Wise said the non-district scheduled served as stepping stones for upcoming district games that will carry more importance.
“The past four weeks we’ve been grinding, getting after it against top-15 teams,” Wise said. “The first week (a 29-22 loss to Prosper) didn’t start off well, but we needed that. To finish the four weeks like this was really impressive. We’re finally pushing ourselves, being leaders. It’s awesome to see that we’re reaching our standard.”
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Westlake received additional offensive punch from running backs Jarren Lopez (85 yards) and Sebastian Henault (72 yards, two touchdowns).
Westlake running back Jarren Lopez (10) runs the ball in the second half of the Westlake Chaparrals victory over the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.
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The rest of the story
Salazar took a business-as-usual approach to the victory. In a post-game huddle he told the players they will improve and it all starts with film study during the week. He didn’t have to remind them that the standard at Westlake is to make a strong push to another state championship. This team has a lot of potential, he said. Particularly the defense.
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“They grew up a little bit today,” he said. “We had a lot less missed tackles out there. There was more rallying to the football, there was less execution errors. That’s all attributed to maturity and growth. We had kids three games ago who hadn’t started a lot of varsity football on defense. They’ve been forced into those roles and the opportunity is there and they’re getting better week by week.”
Before the Chaps open district play, they’ll have time to focus on some errors they made in the first four weeks.
“We’re going to harp on them because we’re coaches,” Salazar said. “We’re going to try to be perfectionists. We’re going to harp on things we didn’t do so well.”
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That’s what Septembers are for.