With one crushing hit, defensive back Campbell McCrea helped knock away any malaise that may have settled on Westlake’s team after the season-ending knee injury suffered by senior team captain Louie Swope.

McCrea, who replaced Swope at free safety in the first half, delivered a thunderous blow to Bowie running back Brelyn Sorrells as he streaked across the middle of the field on a crossing pattern late in the second quarter. The hit dislodged the ball and helped snuff a Bulldog drive. More importantly, it also showed that Westlake’s defense wouldn’t shrink against a prolific Bowie passing game despite the absence of Swope.

“I think Campbell and the defense got some confidence after that play,” Westlake coach Darren Allman said. “It was exciting to see Campbell come out and play well after Louie went down. He worked hard in practice all week, and he played real well today.”

McCrea, a wide receiver who cross-trained at defensive back extensively during the bye week, ended the game with six tackles and a defended pass. His strong play also allowed Westlake to maintain its gutsy defensive strategy against Bowie and its star wideout, DeAndre Perry.

The Chaps leaned on single coverage by Sean Potter against Perry, and Potter responded with nine tackles and a leaping interception in the end zone on a fade pattern intended for the 6-foot-3-inch Perry.
Perry managed 98 yards and a touchdown on nine catches, but the Chaps didn’t “sacrifice the integrity of our run defense” to stop the wideout, said Allman.

“[Defensive backs] Coach Jeff Joseph came up to me and said that he had faith in his guys,” Allman said. “We single-covered them for the most part.”

As for Swope, no official word had come from the Westlake athletic office as of press time Tuesday. Swope, a three-year letterman for the Chaps, said he heard something pop in his left knee after a punt return late in the first quarter, and the initial diagnosis was a torn ligament.

Swope, who has committed to play at Southern Methodist University, should recover in time for football season next fall.

O-line continues rotation

Tyler Jones and Joseph Jarke started at the offensive guard positions in place of Alex Coyne and Jimmy Coleman, although all four rotated in at guard.

According to Allman, such a rotation can benefit a team as long as the quality of play doesn’t drop with a substitution.

“We feel that’s the best way to develop players,” he said. “Plus, it makes for better practices when guys are competing for a job on a daily basis.”

Sean O’Farrell continues to rotate with Jesse Fender at left tackle, leaving center Brandon Behrens and right tackle Phillip Reed as the lone full-time starters on the offensive line.

News and notes
Quarterback Tanner Price continued his success at the quick kick by averaging 35.5 yards on two punts, which both pinned Bowie inside its 20-yard line. … Inside linebacker Bryce Hager led Westlake with 17 tackles. … Outside linebacker Ellis Glaw forced three fumbles. … Bowie had its lowest point total since a 41-0 loss to Austin High Oct. 13, 2006.