Long says team ready for Cedar Park

By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

If Westlake’s coaches wanted the preseason to provide a stern test, they must have enjoyed Saturday’s final summer scrimmage.

The banged-up Chaps squared off with a rugged Round Rock McNeil bunch at Chaparral Stadium and came away with a handful of positives, said Coach Derek Long. Westlake’s first team scored two touchdowns despite injuries to running back Ryan Swope and Tanner Price, and the defense had three takeaways.

“I was real pleased with how the guys responded,” Long said. “Overall, I thought our offensive line did a good job, and some guys stepped up and made some plays when they had to.” 

Some of those who stepped up included quarterbacks Blake Brown and Preston Dewey, who alternated duties with the first team after Price went to the sideline with an injured left ankle. Brown connected with tight end Stephen Dawkins on an 8-yard slant pattern for a Westlake touchdown, and Dewey heaved a long pass that Mike Walker hauled in for a 70-yard score during the simulated quarter that capped the scrimmage.

Swope should play in Friday’s season opener against Cedar Park, and Price remains day-to-day, Long said.

According to Long, the ability of his team to respond to the adversity of injuries proved telling.

“Our philosophy is that whoever is on the second team, they need to step up and play just like the first,” he said. “It’s part of the development of a football team. New faces may get in the game, but the expectations don’t change.”

Offensively, Westlake had some problems against the physical McNeil front. The Chaps had 106 yards rushing overall and two three-and-outs on four possessions in the simulated scrimmage. However, Westlake’s quarterbacks did complete 12 of 19 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Chaps also involved their wideouts. Walker had three catches for 83 yards, and Louie Swope hauled in a 31-yard pass from Price early in the game. Overall, said Long, his offensive line did well against McNeil’s big defensive front.  

“It’s going to be what we see all year,” he said. “We’ll be outsized, and when we watch film, we’ll see how important it is to communicate and talk about who they need to block. There were some mental breakdowns, but we’ll work on it. They’ll be better than last week.”

Defensively, Westlake’s first team showed its playmaking ability by forcing three takeaways. McNeil scored three touchdowns, including one that came on a drive begun by design at Westlake’s 25-yard line.

“We had some mental lapses, but we’ll get those fixed,” said senior safety Michael Perkins, who had an interception. “But I can’t wait for Friday. It’s a countdown.”

Long shared his captain’s anticipation for the season opener.

“Scrimmages are good to evaluate, who knows who won this won?” he said. “The real fun starts Friday when we start playing for keeps. The band, the Hyline, the cheerleaders, the stands filling up. That’s what it’s all about.”