A year after winning its first ever state title, Westbrook is back to defend its crown.
However, the Wildcats will have their work cut out for them against an Abbott team led by experienced head coach Terry Crawford that is seeking its first state title since 2015.
Here’s what to watch for on Wednesday at 2:00 in the 1A Division I State Title Game.
Westbrook Wildcats (13-1)
Head Coach: Homer Matlock
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 244 miles
2022 Playoff Results
Bi-District W 72-22 vs. Garden City
Area: W 48-0 vs. Buena Vista
Regionals W 62-16 vs. Rankin
State Semifinals W 40-30 vs. Happy
Key Players and Storylines
Cedric Ware was the Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP for the Wildcats in their state title game victory a year ago, and he’s been Westbrook’s star contributor yet again this year.
Ware currently has 1,758 yards rushing and 43 touchdowns to go along with 55 tackles defensively.
Joining him in Westbrook’s explosive rushing attack is sophomore Grayson Jeffrey (1,270 yards and 24 touchdowns), who transferred in from Rotan over the summer.
According to Westbrook head coach Homer Matlock, both running backs have done a great job of executing their assignment on every play no matter whether they have the ball or not.
“We’ve been saying all year, it’s amazing what our team can accomplish when we don’t care who gets the credit,” Matlock said. “With that selfless attitude, our running backs carry the ball or they block. Neither of those players care which as long as our team is successful.”
Matlock also praised the offensive line of Hadley White, Bo Payne, and Colton Walters, who he said has done a great job of paving holes for Ware and Jeffrey all season long.
On Wednesday, they’ll need to be at their best against a talented Abbott team.
“Our running backs have had the success they have had because of blocking,” Matlock said. “Our running attack will be a huge key to whether or not we are successful on Wednesday. It will also be determined by all those guys blocking and us playing as a team.”
And although Westbrook tends to lean on its rushing attack, quarterback Parker Matlock has shown he can make plays through the air (907 passing yards, 15 touchdowns).
Defensively, Matlock also has made his presence felt with 93 tackles on the season. Ethan King is another player to keep an eye on with his 62 tackles, including 12 for loss.
Up front, Abbott will have to find a way to deal with Pahton Dominguez who has proved to be extremely disruptive to opposing offenses with 25.5 TFLs on the season.
Abbott Panthers (14-0)
Head Coach: Terry Crawford
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 78 miles
2022 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 56-10 vs. Milford
Area: W 58-10 vs. Union Hill
Regional Final: W 32-24 vs. Gordon
State Semifinals: W 88-60 vs. Irion County
Key Players and Storylines:
A year after falling to May in a 50-48 heartbreaker in the state semifinals, Abbott was able to overcome that hurdle with an 88-60 victory over Irion County.
Now back in the state title game for the first time in seven years, the Panthers have been riding the wave of sophomore running back Mason Hejl offensively.
Hejl has been a star in recent weeks after starting running back Riley Sustala (1,502 rushing yards) sustained a season-ending injury in the first round of playoffs.
In just the past three games, he has broken out with 811 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
Abbott assistant coach Kyle Crawford said that while the Abbott staff knew how talented Hejl was, they’ve been impressed with how he’s stepped up his game in recent weeks.
“It’s no secret we hang our hat on running the football and playing solid defense,” Crawford said. “Mason anchored our 800-meter relay to the state track meet last year as a freshman so we know the kind of speed he has. We are just super proud of how he’s worked to add more to his game than just raw speed. He has stepped up in a huge way since his number has been called into a larger role.”
And while Hejl has been stealing the headlines recently for the Panthers, Crawford said the offensive line and experienced quarterback Karsyn Johnson have helped him settle into his expanded role in the backfield.
Johnson has protected the football well this year with 458 yards and 13 touchdowns, passing on the season to just one interception.
And when Abbott goes through the air, Westbrook will need to keep an eye on Joey Pavelka (254 receiving yards and 8 TDs), who has been Johnson’s favorite target this season.
Defensively, the Panthers have been dominant. They’ve given up just 138 points on the season and 60 of those came in the last game against Irion County.
Hejl can make an impact on this side of the ball as well as he had a key late interception last week against Irion County.
The Abbott defense showcased its consistency earlier this year with a streak of six consecutive shutout victories, so it’s safe to say the Wildcats rushing attack will have their work cut out for them on Wednesday afternoon in Arlington.
Final Thoughts
Abbott will be hungry for its first state title in seven years after finishing the regular season as the number-one-ranked team in 1A Division I.
Meanwhile, Westbrook is back in familiar confines. Last year, Cedric Ware was the star of the show for the Wildcats with 304 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
With Abbott’s stout defense a source of immense pride for the Panthers, the big question on Wednesday afternoon will be whether Ware can find enough running room to produce the explosive plays Westbrook will need offensively to win the title.
If Cedric Ware puts up another big stat line, Abbott could be in trouble.
However, if Abbott can get the stops necessary defensively, it could very well give Hejl and the Panther offense the momentum and breathing room they need to go out and win the title game for Abbott.
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