Westlake High School in Austin, Texas has a long and storied history when it comes to football. From its first year as a high school in 1994 to its current status as a powerhouse in the Texas 6A Division, Westlake’s football program has been a major contributor to the success of the school. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at Westlake’s football history, their current team, and what makes the school’s football program so special. Get ready to learn everything you need to know about Westlake (Austin) Texas High School Football!
History
Westlake High School, located in Austin, Texas, is one of the most successful football programs in the state. The school’s football team has a long and storied history, having been in existence since 1954. Over the years, they have won three state championships and have produced a number of outstanding players who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels.
Westlake’s football program began as an all-male team in 1954 and quickly gained notoriety for their performance on the field. They experienced early success, including a state championship in 1956 and back-to-back state championships in 1982 and 1983. The school produced a number of high-profile athletes during this time, such as former NFL running back Eddie George and two-time Super Bowl winner Drew Brees.
The program experienced a period of decline in the late 1980s and 1990s, but began to experience a resurgence in the 2000s. Under the leadership of head coach Todd Dodge, Westlake’s football team won their third state championship in 2005 and has continued to be a perennial contender since then.
Westlake is now considered one of the top football programs in the state of Texas and is consistently ranked among the top teams in the nation. Their legacy of excellence continues to this day and they are poised to remain at the forefront of Texas high school football for years to come.
Rivalries
Westlake High School is part of the Texas 6A Football District 14-6A, where they play against rivals such as Lake Travis, Bowie, Westwood, Vandegrift, and Vista Ridge. As expected, the rivalry with Lake Travis is particularly strong and intense, going back to the two schools’ first meeting in 2006. In that game, Lake Travis came away with a hard-fought victory, but Westlake has since gone on to win the last five meetings between the two teams.
Beyond their district rivals, Westlake’s rivalries include other area schools such as Anderson, Hays, Akins, and Round Rock. These teams all make for exciting matchups every season, and often times the games between them can determine which teams advance to the playoffs. With so much riding on these games, it’s easy to see why the rivalry between Westlake and these other schools is so strong.
Championships
Westlake (Austin) Texas High School Football has a long and proud history of success and championships. The team has won several district and regional titles, along with a state championship in 2001. The Westlake Chaparrals have also made multiple appearances in the Texas State Playoffs since 2000, including in 2017 when they reached the 6A Division 1 title game.
The Westlake Chaparrals also boast several individual accolades. In 2012, quarterback Baker Mayfield was named Gatorade Player of the Year, while running back LJ Humphrey was named Player of the Year by the Austin American-Statesman.
The Chaparrals have won their district nine times since 2000, including five times between 2006 and 2011. They have advanced to the playoffs in all but two of those years, making it to the 6A semifinals twice (in 2007 and 2008). In addition, the team won two regional titles in 2006 and 2007.
The Westlake Chaparrals won the state championship in 2001, defeating Abilene 28-21 in the 5A Division I final at the Alamodome in San Antonio. It was their first state title since 1987 and was considered an upset victory as they had entered the playoffs as an underdog.
In 2017, the Chaparrals reached the 6A Division I title game, falling to North Shore 44-40. That same season, they were also one of six teams to make the AP Texas Top 25 Poll.
Overall, Westlake (Austin) Texas High School Football has established itself as a perennial contender for championships and playoff berths, something that is sure to continue for years to come.
Notable alumni
Westlake (Austin) High School has a long list of successful alumni that have gone on to achieve great things. Many of these notable alumni are current and former professional athletes. These include NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, four-time Pro Bowler Brian Orakpo, NBA All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, MLB All-Star Huston Street, and NBA Champion Matthew Dellavedova. Other famous Westlake alumni include actors, entrepreneurs, and musicians like musician Owen Wilson, actor/producer JJ Watt, and entrepreneur Evan Smith.
Westlake High School has also produced many politicians, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, US Senator John Cornyn, and US Representative Lloyd Doggett. Additionally, the school has produced many successful business leaders, such as Dell Computers founder Michael Dell, Round Rock CEO Lou Sabel, and The Home Depot CFO Carol Tomé.
Westlake High School is proud to have educated so many successful alumni and it continues to produce future leaders in their respective fields.
The future of Westlake football
The Westlake football program is in a very strong position to continue its success in the coming years. The team has been steadily improving, as evidenced by their wins in recent seasons, and they have a core of talented players returning in 2020. The coaching staff is also highly experienced, and has helped to create an atmosphere of competitiveness and camaraderie.
Westlake has been able to build its football program on a strong foundation of hard work and commitment from its players, coaches, and fans. This dedication is reflected in the team’s impressive record of success. As the team looks forward to the 2020 season, they will be determined to extend their winning streak and continue to be a dominant force in Austin-area high school football.