There are several things about Austin Westlake that impressed Clark head football coach Lloyd Alexander when he watched film of the Chaparrals this week.
But there was one constant that caught his eye.
“I think their biggest strength is that they take advantage of the other team’s miscues,” Alexander said Friday. “They get out ahead of you and it’s hard to play from behind against a quality team like they are. That’s why it’s so important that you limit your mistakes.”
Clark (13-0) plays Westlake (11-2) in the Class 5A Division I state quarterfinals at 2 p.m. Saturday at Heroes Stadium.
The meeting will be the fifth between the schools, who never have met in the regular season. The Chaps lead the series 3-1, with
Clark’s only victory coming in this same round last year. Clark beat Westlake 24-21 before losing to Fort Bend Hightower in the state semifinals.
The Chaps have outscored the Cougars 176-96 in their three victories. Westlake took a wild 80-42 shootout in the 1994 5A Division II state quarterfnals, and won 63-35 in the Division II second round in 2001. In 1996, the Chaps won 33-19 in a Division II second-round game.
Alexander has been on the sideline for all four of the previous Clark-Westlake games, but last year marked the first season he led the Cougars against the Chaps as their head coach. He was defensive coordinator under Mike Robbins when the teams clashed the first three times.
Regardless of his position, Alexander is quite familiar with Westlake’s tradition. Playing their first season under head coach Darren Allman, the Chaps have looked impressive in the playoffs. They beat Judson 43-17 in the second round and rolled to a 42-13 victory over Harlingen last week.
“It’s just a great program,” Alexander said. “They’re a well-coached team with disciplined kids who play hard.”
Alexander, who is in his eighth season as Clark’s head coach, could have been describing his team. While the Cougars aren’t flashy, they have been the most consistent team in San Antonio this season.
Quarterback Hayden Greenbauer, the Cougars’ Mr. Everything, has enjoyed a stellar season. He leads the team in rushing with 1,425 yards and 19 touchdowns, and has completed 49 of 91 passes for 731 yards and eight TDs. Besides playing quarterback, Greenbauer punts, returns kickoffs and plays defense occasionally.
But Greenbauer has had plenty of help from his friends, particularly on defense.
Alexander singled out nose guard Greg Castro, who had 22 tackles in last week’s 35-21 victory over Del Rio.
“Greg is having a fantastic season,” Alexander said. “For a nose guard to have 22 tackles in one game is unbelievable.”
Defensive lineman Ethan Price, linebackers John Manders, Glenn Bonner and Tim Sanchez, cornerback Jacob Garcia and safety
Daniel Dirk also have played well, Alexander said. Garcia, who has six interceptions, also plays wide receiver. He has eight catches for 151 yards and two TDs.
“We kid him that he’s caught more balls on defense than he has on offense,” Alexander said. “Really, his blocking has helped tremendously.”
Joe Vasquez is Clark’s leading receiver with 13 receptions for 257 yards and five TDs.
While center Robert Chapman anchors the offensive line, guard Stefano Chavez has emerged as one of the team’s best blockers.
“He stays on his block and is our main pulling guard,” Alexander said. “He’s the one who gets out there ahead of Hayden.”
The Clark-Austin Westlake winner meets the Katy Cinco Ranch-Brazoswood survivor in next week's state semifinals.Those teams play at 1 p.m. Saturday at Rice Stadium in Houston.
