How Westlake 'locked in' to avenge 2025 loss to Lake Travis, clinch 25-6A title game spot
· Yahoo Sports
LAKEWAY - Friday's Battle of the Lakes couldn't have started much worse for the Westlake defense. Just five minutes into the game, Lake Travis took the lead on a 53-yard passing touchdown.
But Westlake limited Lake Travis to just 10 more points for the rest of the game, setting the tone for a 38-17 victory in front of a crowd of 10,850 people at Cavalier Stadium. The win sets up a game next week against undefeated Cedar Ridge that will decide the District 25-6A champion.
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Westlake head coach Tony Salazar celebrates after beating Lake Travis at Lake Travis High School on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 in Lake Travis, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)"We kind of locked in after that (touchdown)," Chaps defensive lineman Colton Fromberg said. "We had some talks on the sideline, drew some stuff up, and we just locked in after that."
Westlake avenges 2025 loss to Cavs
Fromberg was one of several Chaps (7-1, 4-0) who said after the game that Westlake wanted to avenge last year's defeat to the Cavaliers (3-3-1, 2-2). That 31-10 home loss to Lake Travis was one of the headliners of an underwhelming 2025 season by the standards of a program that has won three state titles in the last decade and made an appearance in the Class 6A Division I state title game in 2024. Westlake went 7-4, finished third in its district and was bounced by Vandegrift in the opening round of the playoffs.
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Westlake defensive back Thomas Jackson (38) celebrates after beating Lake Travis at Lake Travis High School on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 in Lake Travis, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)This year's squad is much closer to the norm for one of Central Texas' premier programs. The only blemish on Westlake's record is a 49-40 Week 3 loss to Prosper, a borderline top 10 team in Class 6A. Since that Sept. 11 defeat, the Chaps have won five consecutive games, averaging more than 50 points per contest and allowing only 9.2 points per outing. Westlake will hope to win a sixth straight game and secure a district title next week against Cedar Ridge (8-0, 4-0) squad that's averaging almost 49 points.
"We're gonna no doubt celebrate this one for one night and Saturday afternoon," Westlake head coach Tony Salazar said. "Coaches will turn our full attention to Cedar Ridge on Sunday morning, and they're gonna get our full preparation, just like we gave Lake Travis."
Westlake bounces back from poor start
If Westlake hopes to topple Cedar Ridge, it can't just prepare like it did for the Cavaliers. It needs to perform how it did Friday.
The Chaps dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball as they scored 21 unanswered first-half points after that deep scoring pass from Jason Carter to Gray Garrick that gave Lake Travis the 7-0 lead with 6 minutes, 53 seconds left in the first quarter. CJ Jones scored Westlake's first touchdown with less than three minutes remaining in the opening period and added another in the final minute of the quarter five plays after Braden Riddell's 36-yard punt return gave Westlake possession at the Lake Travis 33.
Westlake quarterback Patton Jones (3) is hit by Lake Travis defensive back Carter Lofton (8) during the game at Lake Travis High School on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 in Lake Travis, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)MORE: LASA forfeits the 3 games left on its high school football schedule
Westlake safety Hayden Clark forced a Carter fumble on the Cavaliers' ensuing possession that was recovered at the Lake Travis 32 by defensive lineman Joe Logan. The turnover led to an 8-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Patton Jones that put the Chaps up 21-7 only 45 seconds into the second quarter.
Lake Travis marched inside the Westlake 10-yard line on its next possession, but the 14-play, seven-plus minute drive only resulted in a 23-yard field goal after the series stalled at the 6. Westlake responded with a 37-yard field goal of its own just after the two-minute warning.
Westlake running back CJ Jones (43) runs the ball for a touchdown during the game against Lake Travis at Lake Travis High School on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 in Lake Travis, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)The Cavaliers drove into opposing territory on the last possession of the first half, but had to punt after Chaps defensive tackle Travis Olson tackled running back Henry Hopping for a loss on third-and-2 from the 39-year line in the final minute.
"Just not good enough," Lake Travis coach Hank Carter. "You play good people, you have to play better than that. Probably could have had our chances if we make a couple more plays. But who knows? (It) wasn't good enough."
Westlake running back Chase Brodhead (16) celebrates a touchdown during the game against Lake Travis at Lake Travis High School on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 in Lake Travis, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)Chase Brodhead makes a big impact for Chaps
Lake Travis had a golden opportunity to regain momentum four-and-a-half minutes into the third quarter when Cavaliers linebacker Owen Aird blitzed on third down, sacking Jones and forcing a fumble. However, the ball bounced right into the hands of Westlake running back Chase Brodhead, who ran 29 yards into the end zone.
Instead of a momentum-altering turnover, Lake Travis trailed by 21.
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While Westlake capitalized on its luck offensively, its defense kept the Cavaliers silent until Hopping ran for a touchdown with seven minutes left in the game. The Chaps recovered the onside kick after the score and rode their running game down the field, resulting in a 16-yard Brodhead touchdown with 2:40 left.
Westlake quarterback Patton Jones (3) looks for an open receiver during the game against Lake Travis at Lake Travis High School on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 in Lake Travis, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)Westlake QB: 'We want to go win district'
Overall, Westlake's defense held Lake Travis to its lowest scoring game of the season. The Cavaliers entered the Battle of the Lakes averaging more than 400 yards of offense but were limited to 282 total yards Friday and held to 2-for-13 on third downs. Jason Carter was held to 141 passing yards, as the combination of a defensive line penetrating the pocket and strong secondary play disrupted Lake Travis' usually potent passing attack.
The Chaps got strong contributions on offense as well, led by 222 yards on the ground. Patton Jones ran for 69 yards, a touchdown and had another pick-free game - the senior, in his first season as the starter, has thrown one interception all season. CJ Jones ran for 117 yards and two scores while Brodhead doubled his season touchdowns total.
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"We're really excited," Patton Jones said about the showdown with Cedar Ridge at Chaparral Stadium. "We want to go win district, prove ourselves this year."
Sign up for the Daily Briefing from the Austin American-Statesman. Start your day with the must-read headlines from Austin's most trusted news source.This article originally published at How Westlake 'locked in' to avenge 2025 loss to Lake Travis, clinch 25-6A title game spot.