Coming into the 6A Division I semifinals on Saturday, last year’s North Shore defeat was fresh on the minds of the Westlake Chaparrals. In that contest, the Mustangs edged the Chaps 23-14, defeating Westlake for the second straight year.
The Chaps refused to let that happen in 2024, bludgeoning the Mustangs 35-10 at Legacy Stadium in Katy, earning their 12th all-time berth in the finals.
Westlake got on the board fast, with backup running back Eli Clark scrambling for a 51-yard run. The rush was the first of three consecutive drives ending in touchdowns for the team. As a follow-up, receiver Chase Bowen nabbed a 37-yard score with less than a minute left in the first quarter. A connection to receiver Cash Robin for a 22-yard touchdown in the second put the Chaps up 21-3.
Still, North Shore was hoping for more of the same, fighting back into the contest before halftime. A rare mistake by quarterback Rees Wise led to an interception by cornerback Nigel Prince near midfield. With 0:11 remaining, the Mustangs finally found the end zone, with receiver Quanell Farrakhan scoring on a 9-yard pass.
However, a second half connection with receiver Grady Bartlett on a 19-yard touchdown pass all but sealed it for the Chaparrals. The defense did the rest, combining for 10 tackles for loss and stopping North Shore twice on downs in the second half.
Wise tossed for three scores and had a rushing touchdown; he accounted for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone.
Westlake previously won Class 6A titles in 2019, 2020, and 2021. They will get another chance to hoist championship hardware when they take on North Crowley at 7 p.m. on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.
