Westlake Outlasts Atascocita in 35-28 Road Win

Westlake went into Humble on Friday night and left with a hard-earned 35-28 victory over No. 6 Atascocita in a Texas top-25 showdown. Behind a determined run game and clutch defense, the No. 15 Chaparrals improved to 2-1.

Quarterback Rees Wise threw for 187 yards and two touchdowns but it was his legs that sealed the deal. Wise ran for two more scores, including the game-winner on a 7-yard keeper with 5:25 to play. On the deciding 90-yard drive, Westlake never attempted a pass.

Atascocita, missing star quarterback Cardae Mack, still flashed big-play ability. Senior CJ Toney filled the void with three rushing touchdowns, two of them breakaways of 70 and 69 yards. But late turnovers proved costly. The Eagles fumbled twice in the fourth quarter, setting up Westlake’s final scoring march and ending their last drive.

Westlake’s defense, led by Eric Abraham’s early interception plus huge late stops from Austin Knapp and Colton Fromberg, rose when it mattered. Fromberg’s key fourth-down sack and Knapp’s fumble recovery in the final minutes shut the door on an Atascocita comeback.

The Chaparrals return home Sept. 19 to face Cibolo Steele, aiming to build on back-to-back wins after a season-opening loss to Prosper. Atascocita (2-1) will regroup during a bye before traveling to Sheldon C.E. King on Sept. 26.