In our final game of the night and the grand finale of the Texas State Playoffs, we had a father vs son match-up. Todd Dodge, head coach of Austin Westlake, is the father of current Southlake Carroll head coach Riley Dodge. The Dodge Bowl. The Southlake Carroll Dragons and the Austin Westlake Chaparrals would clash to see who would be crowned 6A-I State Champions.
Southlake would get the ball to start the game, and methodically move down the field. The Dragons would use a solid mix of running and passing to get into the red zone within three minutes. Owen Allen would punch the ball in from three-yards out, giving the Dragons a 7-0 lead early.
Austin Westlake wouldn’t be phased though. All they would need is one play to answer Southlake’s touchdown. Running back, Zane Minors, would break off a 75-yard touchdown run, and tie the game right back up. Quinn Ewers would come out hot on the second drive. Owen Allen helped get the ball to midfield, and Ewers would do the rest. He connected with Brady Boyd on a 53-yard touchdown pass with 6:23 left in the 1st.
We knew this game would feature two high power offenses, and that is what we got. In just nine minutes of play we would see four touchdowns scored. The Chaps rushing attack outmatched the Dragons defense once again. This time Hunter Henault would break off the long run, going for 37-yards on his way for a touchdown.
Cade Klubnik and Quinn Ewers would trade touchdown passes in the second quarter. Klubnik would connect with Jaden Greathouse on a 37-yard touchdown. Ewers would find Brady Boyd for the second time in the half, this time for 31-yards. Right before halftime Klubnik would show us why he is a four-star dual-threat quarterback, taking the ball himself for a six-yard touchdown. This would give the Chaparrals a 28-21 lead going into the break.
The Chaparrals would receive the kickoff to open the second half, looking to extend their lead even more. Klubnik flashed his mobility once again, and took the ball into the Dragons red zone. Westlake would punch in the touchdown, pushing their lead to 14 points.
Things would start to get out of hand for the Dragons as Quinn Ewers threw his second interception of the night. Senior cornerback, Michael Taaffe, came down with one of the best grabs all weekend. A few plays later Cade Klubnik would rush in his second touchdown of the game. Suddenly the score was 42-21, and the Dragons faced one of their largest deficits all season.
Westlake would keep their foot on the pedal the entire night, putting up another 10-points before the end of the game. The final score of the game would read 52-34, as Austin Westlake captured their third State Title in school history. Head coach Todd Dodge would win his fifth State Title, and his second consecutive 6A State Title. Cade Klubnik would unsurprisingly win Offensive MVP of the game, and Defensive MVP of the game would go to Michal Taaffe. Congratulations to Austin Westlake High School on completing your championship run, and an undefeated 14-0 season.
