Winning three consecutive state championships let alone one isn’t an easy feat, but the Austin Westlake Chaparrals welcome the challenge of defending their Class 6A crown a third time and becoming the first Lone Star high school gridiron program to win four in a row, according to a report from Austin NBC affiliate KXAN.
Aside from the chance to make history, the Chaparrals – who take a 40-game winning streak into the 2022 season – also have a new face patrolling the sidelines in Tony Salazar, who took the reins from the retired Todd Dodge.
KXAN reported that one of Westlake’s biggest strengths entering this year is its defense.
Salazar told the station that his roster has “probably” more familiar faces than previous campaigns.
“Last year we started the season with one returning starter on defense, now we’ve got six or seven guys that were starters and played a lot of football,” Salazar, who presided over Dodge’s defenses before succeeding his former boss, said, per the report.
According to KXAN, the Chaparrals defense is anchored by Class 6A, Division 2 title game defensive most valuable player (MVP) and Oklahoma commit Colton Vasek.
On the other side of the ball, the station reported, all eyes will be on one of the state’s best wideouts in senior Jaden Greathouse.
A Notre Dame pledge, Greathouse, who has played varsity ball since he was a ninth grader and set a state championship game record last year to the tune of 236 receiving yards on seven receptions, looks to end a stellar prep career with a fourth title.
“All the players are fired up and ready to make history,” Salazar told KXAN. “We’re ready to go do it.”
The station reported that Westlake occupies the top spot on the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football preseason Class 6A poll.
The Chaparrals will begin the Salazar era on Aug. 26 at home against Missouri City Ridge Point, per KXAN.