ARLINGTON, Texas — The Denton Guyer Wildcats were hoping to flip the script on Austin Westlake in 2021.
Two years earlier in 2019, Westlake got the better of the Wildcats and then freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold, who was forced into action after an injury to starter Eli Stowers.
Unfortunately, it was a similar result two years later, as the Chaparrals took down Guyer by a final of 40-21 in the 6A Division II title game.
The Wildcats battled throughout the whole game, leading 14-13 at the half, and then 21-20 in the third quarter. But Westlake, led by their Clemson-committed quarterback Cade Klubnik, proved to be too much in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 27-7, including 20 unanswered points to end the game.
Jackson Arnold, now a junior, led the way for the Wildcats, throwing for 182 yards and a touchdown and running for two more.
This is the third straight state championship for Westlake and their fourth overall. The win gave their head coach Todd Dodge, who was in his final season before retirement, his 7th state title.