56 points: Westlake dismantles Cedar Ridge in delayed district showdown

The score was 56-21.

Westlake football secured the District 25-6A title on Saturday afternoon with a dominant performance against Cedar Ridge. The game had originally begun on Friday night at Chaparral Stadium but was suspended after a power outage. Play resumed 16 hours later in front of a quieter crowd. Westlake (8-1) controlled the contest from the first quarter through the final whistle. Cedar Ridge (8-1) absorbed its first loss of the season.

The Chaps executed on all phases of the game. Running back C.J. Jones rushed for 88 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Patton Jones completed passes for 144 yards and two scores. Defense contributed directly to the point total. Rhett Jenkins blocked a punt in the first quarter to set up the initial score. He later caught a 44-yard touchdown pass. Keenan Gotcher intercepted a pass to provide a short field for another Jones touchdown. Colton Fromberg forced a fumble after the delay that was recovered by Rhett Henry in the end zone. Westlake also recorded three sacks and made three fourth-down stops.

Cedar Ridge coach Bryan Vardeman acknowledged the disparity in play. He stated that the team faced too many miscues, including turnovers and missed assignments. The Raiders had been ranked No. 1 in the American-Statesman Class 6A area rankings prior to the game. Vardeman noted that the team would look to respond in their final regular season game against Round Rock. He said the players wanted another chance to play Westlake in the postseason. Both teams will be in Division II for the playoffs. They would need to win three games to meet in the regional finals.

The unusual schedule required both teams to adjust quickly. Westlake coach Tony Salazar said he was pleased with how his team created energy without a band or cheerleaders. Some Westlake players ate at P. Terry's before going home after the Friday night suspension. Rhett Henry went straight to sleep. Vardeman said he had never experienced a power outage like the one at Chaparral Stadium. He said his team held meetings and breakfast on Saturday morning before the game. He added that the Raiders responded well to the logistics but did not play their best football. A three or four possession gap against Westlake proved difficult to close.