26-6A REGION 4
LAKE TRAVIS
By Jay Plotkin
Death, taxes and December football. Other than a 2020 bi-district playoff loss, those are Lake Travis’ certainties. The Cavaliers have reached at least the state semifinals every year since 2015. If the Cavaliers want to return to the semifinals – and go a step further – they’ll follow a tried-and-true formula: a Power-5 quarterback, an attacking defense and playmakers across the field who find the end zone with frightening regularity. With his commitment to Michigan State, Bo Edmundson becomes the school’s 10th straight P5 quarterback. Entering his third year as the starter, he’s looking to improve on a 3,300-yard, 40 TD junior season. Defensively, the Cavaliers return proven playmakers return at every level. Griffen Willis and Jacob Henry may be the strongest DL combo in the area. Linebacker Tavin Lewis made 127 tackles in a breakout 2021. Josiah Estes, Kyle Thompson and Jayden Walker return as part of a ball-hawking secondary that generated 13 interceptions and nine touchdowns. Coach Hank Carter says the offense, despite graduating nearly all its receiving production, shouldn’t miss a beat thanks in part to its large, experienced offensive line. “We have a lot of big, strong offensive linemen coming back and that’s really the most important part to the offense,” Carter said. Mo Oratokhai, Daniel Sowell, Jacob Wilsey and Ben Hartman return to anchor a line tasked with keeping the Cavalier offense balanced. Nico Hamilton rushed for 780 yards as DJ Johnson’s backfield wingman and is prime to step into the lineup. If there’s a question, it’s who gets open for Edmundson? Edmundson completed 259 passes in 2021, but only six to returning players. “We dealt with this a year ago in a lot of ways,” Carter said. “It will take the spring and preseason practice to find out who will emerge, but I feel like we have 10-11 kids who can catch the ball for us.”
WESTLAKE
By Joe Taylor
The 2021 Westlake Chaparrals captured their third consecutive state championship and the program’s fourth title. Legendary Coach Todd Dodge retired in January and his longtime defensive coordinator Tony Salazar was tapped as the new leader of Chap Nation. Look for Jr. QB Paxton Land to get a shot to take over the QB1 slot left vacant by the graduation of Kade Klubnik who will be playing Saturdays for Clemson this fall. The offensive line is battle tested. The return of TJ Shanahan and Kyle Natenstedt makes the transition look promising. Westlake’s offensive coaches are looking forward to seeing how juniors Tyler Knape and Riley Kennedy will mesh with seniors Ben Thompson and Jose Acuna. IHSFAN top 10 player and co-offensive MVP Sr. WR Jaden Greathouse has already written himself into the Westlake and UIL record books. Greathouse enters the 2022 season as a three-time All-American and Westlake’s all-time career leader in receiving yardage and touchdown receptions. Sr. WR 1st team AD Keaton Kubecka caught 13 touchdown receptions last year while Sr. TE 1st Team AD Bryce Chambers snagged seven touchdown catches. In the backfield Jr. RB Co-offensive newcomer of the year Jack Kayser will look to improve on his amazing sophomore season where he found the endzone 25 times. On defense the Chaps return six starters on defense including a pair of Senior 1st Team AD defensive lineman in Colton Vasek and Wyatt Dollar. Other players to watch are Kale Williams and Ford Thompson. Sr. DB 1st Team AD Will Courtney earned all-state honors at safety and leads an experienced defensive backfield that includes returning corners Denim Collins, Judson Crockett and SR. LB 1st team AD Byers Petty. Westlake allowed just eight points per game in 2021 and defense will get top billing as Westlake takes aim at more history in 2022. No school has won four consecutive football titles and these Chaps are more than aware of the opportunity ahead. 32
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