Two years ago, Westbrook had never even been to the state title game. Now, the Wildcats are aiming for their third-straight crown.
However, they’ll have to get past an undefeated Gordon team that is back in the state title game for the first time since 1999.
This will be quite the heavyweight clash to open the week of Texas high school football state title games. Here’s what to watch for on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Westbrook Wildcats (13-1)
Head Coach: Homer Matlock
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 244 miles
2023 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 72-22 vs. Rankin
Area: W 68-24 vs. Buena Vista
Regional Final: W 110-65 vs. Borden County
State Semifinals: W 32-16 vs. Happy
Key Players and Storylines
Westbrook has shown it can win games in a variety of ways whether it be a shootout (look to its regional final victory over Borden County) or a defensive stalemate.
Last year in the state title game, it went the slugfest route as it shut down Abbott in a 69-24 victory.
In the state semifinal win over Happy, the Wildcats defense recovered three fumbles. On the year, it has 30 fumble recoveries to go along with its nine interceptions.
Westbrook has a stout secondary with corners Parker Matlock (116 tackles 24 TFLs) and Keegan Gilbreath (101 tackles) and safety Grayson Jeffrey (97 tackles). They are three of the team’s four leading tacklers. The other player in that mix is defensive end Ethan King (99 tackles). Expect him to be unleashed on the Longhorn backfield on Wednesday morning. He has nine sacks on the season.
Offensively, the Wildcats needed another running back to step up following the graduation of Cedric Ware. Gilbreath has done just that (1,456 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns), creating a one-two punch with Jeffrey (1,294 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns).
Gilbreath, Matlock, and Jeffrey split passing duties. Their most common target this year has been tight end Aiden Sullivan. He’ll try to slip free up front to create a chunk play or two for the Wildcats (318 receiving yards and five touchdowns).
Everywhere you look, this Westbrook team has experience. And since its opening week loss to Knox City, it has gone on to win 11 of its 13 games by mercy rule.
Gordon Longhorns (14-0)
Head Coach: Mike Reed
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 82 miles
2023 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 64-14 vs. Saint Jo
Area: W 83-34 v. Milford
Regional Final: W 64-16 vs. Abbott
State Semifinal: W 54-8 vs. Jonesboro
Key Players and Storylines
Gordon is back in the state title game for the first time this century.
The Longhorns have been nothing short of dominant. Every single one of their wins has come by mercy rule. They’re also giving up just over eight points per game defensively.
That defense wrecked havoc in the semifinal win over Jonesboro, scoring two touchdowns.
Gordon is led by the sophomore duo of Stryker Reed and Riley Reed. Both play safety in the secondary and also star carrying the football offensively. Riley had two touchdown rushes in the win against Jonesboro.
When the Longhorns do turn to the air, Brayden Walters is another player to watch (he’s also a sophomore). He had two touchdown receptions from quarterback Noah Kostiha against Jonesboro. Walters also had a pick-six in the game.
As you can tell, Gordon’s main playmakers are all underclassmen. Head coach Mike Reed said they will have to rise to the level of Westbrook’s veteran-led squad in order to secure the state title on Wednesday. And after watching the Wildcats jump out to a 16-0 first-quarter lead last year on Abbott, Reed said a quick start will be vital for his Longhorns so they don’t end up playing from behind against a squad that knows how to put state title games away.
Final Thoughts
This game will end with one of two storylines. Either Westbrook could cement itself in a rarified group of teams that have won three-straight state titles, or Gordon could start its own run with many of its players still having two years left after this season.
Gordon certainly has the confidence it can take down the king of 1A Division I come Wednesday morning. Whether it will execute soundly on the state’s biggest stage against Westbrook’s talented senior class remains to be seen.
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