Despite already securing a home playoff match, the Chaps held nothing back against Lehman on senior night at Chaparral stadium. Westlake whipped the winless Lobos 66-14, securing a second place finish in District 14-6A behind Lake Travis.

Westlake’s first team went to work on Lehman quickly, jumping out to a 35-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. Senior Chase Cokley hauled in five catches for 150 yards, turning three of them into touchdowns. Quarterback junior Sam Ehlinger put up another huge game, totaling four touchdowns through the air on 11-14 passing for 256 yards.

In only his junior year, Sam found his way into Westlake history, throwing the most touchdown passes in a career, 59, breaking a record held by current St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles.

“We all knew he had talent when he came in last year,” captain senior Brycen Foreman said. “But to think he’d have this much success, and still have another year of Westlake football in front of him, I’m not sure if anyone saw that coming.”

On top of breaking the record, Sam did it without throwing a single interception all season, something that head coach Todd Dodge had never seen in his many years of coaching.

While the team members fulfilled their roles, the Chaps were missing an integral part of their team in captain and Harvard commit senior Max Mangum, who suffered an ACL tear against Del Valle. This means he has played his last game as a Chap. Despite the injury, Harvard will keep its scholarship commitment.

To honor his teammate and friend, captain senior Mack Kelley will wear Max’s number two jersey through the playoffs.

“It wouldn’t be the same if #2 wasn’t on the field,” Mack said. “He’s been my running mate since our first game last year, and it’s hard to lose him. But this shows that just because he’s not playing, doesn’t mean he’s gone.”

In the first round of the playoffs, Westlake will face off in a rematch against the Round Rock Dragons, a team they came up short against last year, losing 14-16.

“In last year’s game, we didn’t play up to our capabilities, but we also got screwed over a little bit with some of the calls by the refs,” Mack said. “I expect the game to be completely different this year. In our eyes, we still have six more games left on our schedule.”