Jack Kayser scores two touchdowns as Westlake beats Lake Travis 21-14

PFLUGERVILLE — Senior running back Jack Kayser scored a pair of touchdowns in the second half to help Westlake post a 21-14 victory over Lake Travis in a Class 6A Division I regional final Saturday afternoon at The Pfield.

The Army-bound Chaparral got off to a slow start but managed to rush for 84 yards. His touchdown runs were from 12 and 4 yards.

Westlake quarterback Rees Wise contributed 74 rushing yards in the victory.

Defense wins championships, they say

It must have been frustrating for the crowd to watch a first half that was nearly void of points. After all, Westlake was averaging 46 points a game entering the regional final, Lake Travis 31.

Just when it appeared the teams would be deadlocked at 0-0 at halftime, the Chaps finally crossed the goal line. Wise connected with junior receiver Cal Livengood for a 16-yard touchdown strike with six seconds left in the second quarter. It was a play that seemed to energize a team that had an off day offensively.

"We were playing a little tight and we play a lot better when we're loose," Livengood said. "That did a lot to take the weights off our shoulders. We had been hurting ourselves the whole first half."

For the record, Westlake finished the half with 136 yards, Lake Travis 107. Luckily for both teams, they could make halftime adjustments and play a second half which was much more exciting.

Westlake would finish the day with 349 total yards, Lake Travis 262. Nico Hamilton had a productive day for the Cavaliers, finishing with 82 rushing yards.

Chaparrals take advantage of Lake Travis turnovers

Lake Travis, which struggled mightily on offense all day, got on the scoreboard when quarterback Chaston Ditta hit Kadyn Leon with a 49-yard pass in the second half. After cutting the deficit to 14-7, though, the Cavaliers watched multiple opportunities to score evaporate.

Westlake linebacker Elliott Schaper and cornerback Judson Crockett intercepted a pair of passes. Schaper's interception set up Kayser's final touchdown, giving the Chaps its 21-7 lead with 3:24 to go.

Lake Travis scored a late touchdown on a short pass to Josiah Thomas in the final minute. The Cavaliers were unable to recover the ensuing on-side kick and the Chaps ran out the clock.

"It's always a hard-fought game when we play them," Chaparral lineman Connor Vasek said. "It's a tradition. ... I like to shut them out whenever we can. We didn't do that, but that's one of our goals."

Next up: A state heavyweight

Westlake (14-0) advances to the state semifinals to play Houston North Shore (14-0). The game is set to be played at 3 p.m. Saturday at The Pfield in Pflugerville. North Shore earned its spot in the semi with a 34-28 victory over Atascocita on Saturday. The Mustangs reached the championship game last year, losing to Duncanville 28-21.

With the win, Westlake coach Tony Salazar is 28-1 in his two years with the Chaparrals. He knows the next assignment will be tough, but the Chaps are accustomed to playing battle-tested teams late in the playoffs.

"Our defense was finding ways to get off the field, mainly with turnovers, which is something we worked all week on," Salazar said. "We worked on getting interceptions, we worked on causing fumbles. ... Sometimes the offense will get first downs, so we try to find other ways to get the ball to the offense. We did that today and I'm so very, very proud of them."

State semifinals schedule

Class 6A DI

Westlake (14-0) vs. Houston North Shore (14-0), 3 p.m. Saturday, The Pfield, Pflugerville

Class 5A DII

Liberty Hill (10-4) vs. Port Neches-Groves (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Berry Center, Houston

Class 4A DII

Wimberley (14-0) vs. Bellville (14-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday, The Pfield, Pflugerville

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Late Lake Travis touchdown not enough to overcome deficit