Hays Rebels at Westlake Chaparrals
When: Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Chaparral Stadium (4100 Westbank Drive, Austin, TX)
Last week: Austin 35, Hays 34; Westlake 70, Akins 28
Last meeting (2005): Westlake 31, Hays 30
Players to watch:
Hays: QB Braeden Kent, RB Cody Gandy, RB Tyrese Atwood, WR Brandon Hunter, WR Austin Maulding, OL Connor Lanfear, OL Mateo Mendoza, DL Gabriel Flores, DL Johnson Elrod, LB Preston Ellison, LB Emory Cuzze, DB Garrett Quinn, DB Joseph Rubio
Westlake: QB Sam Ehlinger, RB Jake Coker, RB Travis Braithwaite, WR Reed Klubnick, WR Andrew Laycock, LB Breckyn Hager, LB Gabe Duran, DL Bobby Butchofsky, DB Nick Scott
Intangibles: A lot has changed since Hays and Westlake last duked it out on the gridiron nine years ago. What hasn’t changed is the high stakes surrounding their meeting. While Westlake vies for a district title, the Rebels must keep pace to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Hays’ defense will be tasked with stopping another high-powered, yet balanced, offense in Westlake. So far this year, the Chaps have scored 48 or more points in four of their six games. QB Ehlinger leads Westlake in passing and rushing, amassing 1,765 total yards (1,264 passing, 501 rushing) and 18 total touchdowns. Behind him are four other rushers who have gained more than 120 yards each. WR Klubnick has caught 521 yards and six scores, while Laycock has 332 yards and five touchdowns. Hays counters with their run offense, led by Gandy and Kent, who have rushed for 951 and 557 yards respectively. While the Rebel air attack has diminished in recent weeks, Kent has thrown for 1114 yards and nine scores. Rigsby leads Rebel WRs with 425 yards, while Hunter has 401 yards and six scores. They’ll go up against a Westlake defense that’s given up less than 50 yards rushing in three of their four district games. But Westlake has also given up more than 200 rush yards in two games this season. A district title won’t be on the line this time around, but if history proves correct, Friday’s game could add another exciting chapter in the Hays/Westlake rivalry.
