While only the best of the best remain across the state of Texas heading into the state semifinals, the 6A Division II showdown between Katy and Westlake is certainly one of the headline games this weekend.
Both teams are defending state champions as Westlake won the 6A Division I crown last year, while Katy defeated Cedar Hill for the 6A Division II title in 2020.
It doesn’t get much bigger than this matchup between two Texas high school football powerhouses.
Here is what to watch for at McLane Stadium in Waco on Saturday at 2:00.
Westlake Chaparrals (14-0)
Head Coach: Todd Dodge: 8th season (102-13 record)
2021 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 54-9 vs. Hutto
Area: W 70-7 vs. New Braunfels
Regional Semifinals: W 56-0 vs. PSJA North
Regional Final: W 70-7 vs. Vandegrift
Key Players
Credit: Stan Martin
Westlake has destroyed everyone in its sight this year. In their 14 games, the Chaparrals have an average margin of victory of 51 points.
Leading their offense is Clemson commit quarterback Cade Klubnik (2,619 passing yards and 34 touchdowns to just two interceptions), who is looking to lead the Chaparrals to their third-straight state title.
Joining him in the backfield is senior Hunter Henault (832 rushing yards and nine touchdowns) and sophomore Jack Kayser, who had a breakout game against Vandegrift with 143 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
When the Chaparral offense goes through the air, Klubnik has two future Division I receivers to aim for in Jaden Greathouse (952 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns) and Keaton Kubecka (623 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns).
However, the biggest strength for the Chaparrals might be in the trenches. Texas commit Connor Robertson, Indiana commit Bray Lynch, and highly touted Division I prospect TJ Shanahan anchor the offensive line, while Michigan commit defensive end Ethan Burke (12 TFLs) and Division I prospect Colton Vasek (46 tackles, 6 TFLs) have terrorized opposing backfields this season.
The Chaparral defense has held opponents to just 7.6 points this year and, in addition to Burke and Vasek on the defensive line, safety Will Courtney (103 total tackles) has also been a key playmaker for Westlake.
And if it comes down to special teams, the Chaparrals have a star in that category as well in Army commit kicker Charlie Barnett.
Katy Tigers (14-0)
Head Coach: Gary Joseph: 18th season (241-22 record)
2021 Playoff Results:
Bi-District: W 56-7 vs. Fort Bend Clements
Area: W 59-7 vs. Stratford
Regional Semifinals: W 41-24 vs. C.E. King
Regional Finals: W 34-31 vs. Summer Creek
Key Players
Credit: Paul David Tanner
Katy is looking to get back to the state title game for the second year in a row and for the sixth time in the last 10 years.
Offensively, the Tigers lean on a one-two punch at running back. Junior Seth Davis (2,422 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns) leads the way and is coming off a monster game against Summer Creek where he rushed for 229 yards and three touchdowns. When Davis doesn’t have the ball in his hands, his backfield counterpart Dallas Glass (1,281 yards and 20 touchdowns) has been just as much of a threat to opposing defenses.
When the Tigers do go through the air, Caleb Koger (1,863 passing yards and 21 touchdowns to just six interceptions) has done a good job of managing the offense and protecting the football. He has a star number one receiver to aim for too in Oklahoma commit Nicholas Anderson (529 receiving yards and five touchdowns).
Defensively, the Tigers have been holding opponents to just 13.1 points per game and are loaded with talent.
Texas Tech commit Ty Kana is an anchor from his linebacker position. Up front, Texas A&M commit Malick Sylla will look to get some pressure on Klubnik after having the game-clinching sack last week against Summer Creek.
And although star corner Bobby Taylor has missed virtually the entire season, safeties Johnathan Hall and Arian Parish are a duo to keep an eye on in the secondary.
Final Thoughts
This game is brimming with Division I talent.
With the way Westlake has obliterated everything in its path, the Chaparrals will be favorites to take down the Tigers on Saturday afternoon as they look to send out Todd Dodge on a high.
However, with the pedigree of Gary Joseph and his Katy Tiger program, it would be unwise to count the Tigers out. If Katy can move the ball on the ground and control the clock, this game could go down to the wire in Waco.
See the schedule for the rest of the state semifinal games Here
