All week long Westlake Tec has been playing reruns of the 2020 state championship game on TVs around the school, preparing the students for the historic game. On Friday morning, varsity football will make the long trip to Arlington for the fourth time in six years.
Westlake (14-1) will meet up against North Crowley (15-0) Dec. 21 at AT&T Stadium for the state title. It will be the first ever matchup between the two Texas powerhouses. The Chaps are seeking their fourth championship in the last six years, while the Panthers are looking for their first since 2003.
The Chaparrals march into the final game of the season on a sizzling 12-game winning streak, having been undefeated since a week two loss to Atascocita. An elite defense is giving up 12.3 points per game, and the Chaps average 43.2 points per game on the offensive side of the ball, outscoring opponents by over 30 points per game.
On the other side, North Crowley thrives by outscoring their opponents, and have been in a few shootouts so far this season, such as their 57-51 victory against DeSoto. They have topped 60 points in a game five times this season, and should give the Chaps defense all they can handle.
The Panthers led the Dallas area with nine players signing to play division-one football at the most recent signing day. Breakout wide receiver Quentin Gibson led the way for North Crowley, signing with Colorado. Gibson is their leading receiver, averaging over 168 yards per game. Panthers quarterback Chris Jimerson also signed, committing to play at North Texas. They also have a four-star junior defensive tackle, John Turntine. The Panthers have an elite offensive line, which should pose some significant problems for the Chaps front seven.
The game poses a matchup between the best defense in the state and the best offense in the state. Impact players for the Chaps defense are senior linebacker Elliott Schaper, senior defensive lineman Cullen Devine, and senior defensive back George Jones III. Impact players for the Panthers are Gibson, senior running back Cornelius Warren III and Jimerson
Schaper has 12 sacks and 28 tackles for loss, leading the charge for the Chaparral defense. Jones has seven interceptions on the season and three interceptions in the postseason, the ballhawking senior will be tasked with guarding speedster Gibson, one of the most dynamic players in the state.
The Chaps and North Crowley are two extremely disciplined teams that play completely different styles. Westlake will have to limit the speed and athleticism of the Panthers, which was a huge struggle early in the season against Atascocita. The Chaps will try to follow in the footsteps of the 2019-21 threepeat that they had not too long ago.
