Through seven games, the Lake Travis offense was averaging 213 rushing yards per game. They had also yet to throw an interception. The Chaps grabbed three picks and held them to just 78 rushing yards Friday.
The Cavaliers were ranked higher than the Chaps heading into the game for the first time in eight years, but Westlake (7-1, 4-0 District 26-6A) proved the rankings wrong by taking down Lake Travis (7-1, 3-1 District 26-6A), 28-16, Oct. 25 at Cavalier Stadium. The defense forced four turnovers and held Eastern Carolina commit Lake Travis quarterback Chaston Ditta to 24-of-39 passing and three picks.
“It’s so much more hostile [to play at LT],” senior linebacker Elliot Schaper said. “It’s nothing we haven’t seen before after last year, but we love the energy and feed off it.”
The offensive line set the tone on the opening drive for the Westlake offense. The Chaps were able to mix passes and runs en route to an efficient 10-play 77-yard drive. Junior quarterback Rees Wise converted on fourth down, punching the ball in from five yards out to get the Chaps on the board. They brought two defensive linemen in on the play, shifting them to the left side of the offensive line to give Wise a boost as he powered down the left hash.
The Cavs had a similar start to their first offensive drive, marching the ball down the field. However, Ditta launched a risky pass that fell right into the hands of senior defensive back George Jones III near the front corner of the endzone. Jones III returned the ball down the right sideline from his own two yard-line, crossing the field all the way to the 36.
“We had a great defensive gameplan,” head coach Tony Salazar said. “Coach Jones did a great job with our defense, and he had them ready.”
The Chaps couldn’t capitalize on offense, but the defense remained strong. Schaper dropped Ditta in the backfield on third down, which ended the Cavalier drive. Wise then threw his lone pick of the game, setting the Cavs up on the Westlake 46. The defense continued to hold. Schaper and senior defensive lineman Cullen Devine combined to stuff Ditta on third-and-three, leaving Lake Travis with a 43-yard field goal, which they drilled.
“Chaston’s someone who can make plays, and that’s why he’s playing at the next level,” Schaper said. “Our ends were able to contain him outside and that’s why we were able to stop him all night.”
After the offense had another quick drive, the defense had to hold a four-point lead. Junior defensive back Thompson Bennett delivered, forcing a fumble from Lake Travis wide receiver Josiah Thomas. Senior defensive back Payton Luther dove on it, setting the offense up on the Lake Travis 29. Wise and Livengood connected from 25 yards out before the end of the first half, giving the Chaps a 14-3 lead.
“The offense found a win, and that’s all that matters,” Salazar said. “Defense and special teams definitely helped them out.”
With the Cavs driving on the Westlake 40, Schaper came through once again with his second sack of the game, dropping Ditta for a 15-yard loss and setting Lake Travis way behind the sticks. The Cavs converted on a crucial third down, but a touchdown run that got called back due to offensive holding led to Schaper’s third sack and a missed field goal.
A Wise fumble gave Lake Travis the ball back with under a minute left in the first half. Ditta dropped back and threw a pass into triple coverage. Jones III tracked the ball and grabbed his second interception of the night, capping off the half by forcing the third Cavalier turnover. The interception silenced the rowdy home crowd.
“We always feed off the crowd but they really brought it,” Schaper said. “Every year Lake Travis brings the energy and it’s awesome to see us match that.”
Lake Travis flipped the script at the start of the second half, driving all the way down the field and punching in a touchdown run, their first of the game. The Chaps offense couldn’t respond. With all the momentum, the Cavaliers drove down the field.
Faced with a second-and-one, Schaper wrapped around the defensive line and took down Ditta to set up a third-and-four. Senior defensive back Brandon Clark then grabbed the third interception of the game on third down, this time running it back 55 yards for a touchdown. It was Clark’s second pick-six in the last two weeks.
“Our defense went out there and executed the game plan to a tee,” Salazar said. “Their quarterback hasn’t gotten picked off all year, and we got him for three tonight.”
From there on out the Lake Travis offense couldn’t get consistent long drives. One touchdown with a failed two-point conversion pulled them within a touchdown, but Livengood iced the game with a massive 82-yard punt return for a touchdown. The defense and special teams wound up scoring 14 of the 28 Westlake points.
“Running [the punt] back down their sideline to put a nail in it was sick,” Livengood said. “It’s a December game in October, so the competition will hopefully guide us into the playoffs.”
Schaper and Jones III, two seniors, anchored the Chaps defense. Schaper finished with 16 tackles and five for a loss to go along with three sacks. Jones III had a career-high two interceptions. They held the high-powered LT rushing game to just 78 yards, a season low for them.
“We’ve got to lean on experience,” Salazar said. “We’ve been in these big games before, and we use previous experiences to guide how we act in a situation like this. I’m so proud of our kids, they responded with a great week of work.”
The Chaps will take on Del Valle for their homecoming game Nov. 1 at Chaparral Stadium. Westlake has dominated the Cardinals, and own a 12-0 record against them. They took them down 58-0 in the last time they met.
