By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor 

Westlake has allowed at least 30 points for three consecutive games for the first time in school history, and an inability to force offenses off the field has emerged as one of the primary reasons. 

Foes have converted 16 of 29 third downs this season, including seven of 14 attempts on third-and-10 or longer.

“It’s been the same old story all season,” Coach Derek Long said after the loss to A&M Consolidated. “We’d make two good plays and give up one. But give them (Consolidated) credit. I just think they made plays when they had to.”

 

News and notes

Junior Bryce Hager, who started the season at inside linebacker but played on both sides of the ball against Lake Travis, played only at fullback against A&M Consolidated. He had four carries for 15 yards. … Matt Ingram started at inside linebacker in place of Hager and recorded 12 tackles and a sack. … Eric Upshaw, who moved into the starting inside linebacker spot after David Durham switched to defensive tackle, had six tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage… Fullback Jeff Ballew ripped off a 53-yard touchdown run against Consol, the longest play of the season for the Chaps. … Westlake is averaging 173 yards rushing and 172.3 yards passing per game.

 

 

Getting back on track?

Westlake finished its nondistrict slate with a losing record for the 10th time in school history, but history shows that you can’t count the Chaps out. They have ended the season with a winning record in six of the previous nine such seasons.

1970

• l. San Antonio Cole 27-6; l. Llano 19-0; l. Marble Falls 19-0.

• In program’s first varsity season, Coach Ken Dabbs led team to a 2-8 record highlighted  

  by a 20-7 win over Elgin in the season finale.

1977

• l. Gonzalez 47-22; d. Bastrop 21-13; l. San Antonio Randolph 14-13.

• Chaps ended 3-7, the last losing record until the program’s first foray into 5A in 1986.

1978

• l. Gonzalez 34-0; d. Waco Midway 30-0; l. Georgetown 22-10.

• Under first-year coach Bobby Etheredge, Westlake rebounded to finish 6-4.

1980

• d. Gonzalez 7-6; l. Waco Midway 21-16; l. Cameron 8-7.

• Team went 5-1-1 in District 12-3A and narrowly missed a playoff berth.

1983

• l. Gonzalez 13-6; d. Copperas Cove 14-6; l. Fredericksburg 16-6.

• Loss to Gonzalez final game in eight-year season-opening series; team ended 6-4.

1986

• l. New Braunfels 14-13; l. Westwood 34-20; d. Lanier 15-0.

• First year in 5A ended with a 2-8 mark, the only losing record in the past 30 years 

  for the Chaps.

1989

• l. Round Rock 28-14; d. Westwood 40-7; l. Georgetown 29-15.

• Team finished 8-3 and won the District 25-5A championship.

2003

• l. Westwood 21-8; d. A&M Consolidated 33-30; l. Smithson Valley 14-13.

• Chaps finished regular season with a 6-4 record and placed third in district but reached 

   the state semifinals in Coach Derek Long’s first year.

2004

• l. Leander 24-19; d. Westwood 24-20; l. A&M Consolidated 21-13.

• Team went unbeaten in district and finished 8-3.