By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

As a jubilant throng of Lake Travis football players celebrated on the Chaparral Stadium turf last week, Westlake’s Ryan Swope stood quietly aside and fought back the tears.

All losses hurt, even a nondistrict setback to a state champion.

Suddenly, Cavalier quarterback Garrett Gilbert peeled away from his teammates and rushed toward the Westlake running back. The two exchanged a slap of hands, a quick hug and a few words of encouragement. Garrett then returned to his teammates, and Swope jogged toward the home stands and lined up for the school song. Even in the most team-oriented of all sports, certain players like Gilbert and Swope share more than sweat. Such players share scholarship offers and headlines, achievements and expectations. And no matter the chaos that often ensues on a football field following a game, such players always find each other.

Swope and Gilbert have become friends over the past few years. When you have prototypical size (like Gilbert), ideal speed (like Swope) and proven playmaking ability (like both), your paths will cross in the myriad of elite football camps that litter the calendar during the off-season. Gilbert could have attended any college in the country because of his prowess throwing the ball, but he chose to stay close to home at the University of Texas. Swope strengthened the recruiting bond between Westlake and Texas A&M when he committed last spring. The two will meet at least a few more times on the football field, but they’ll never again serve as the talismans for two communities that transfer their successes to the football field.

Facing some of the best high school football players in the nation isn’t a new experience for any Chap, of course. It’s just part of the job description.

Westlake has competed at the highest level of prep football in the nation – Texas Class 5A – continuously since 1994. The Chaps coaches have never shied from rugged nondistrict schedules that traditionally include some of the best teams, and players, in the state. Coupled with the regular occurrence of a lengthy Westlake playoff run, such games ensure meetings with players like Gilbert.

A generation from now, Westlake’s players might tell their children about how they beat Gilbert’s team twice. But based on the legacy of the Chaps, Gilbert might also sit back with his family and relive how his team finally proved itself at the highest level of football.