Friday, September 19 – 7:00 PM // Chaparral Stadium/Ebbie Neptune Field -- Austin, TX
Two perennial Texas high school powerhouses will go head-to-head this Friday, as the Steele Knights travel north to take on Westlake at Chaparral Stadium.
This Week 4 matchup serves as a final tune-up before district play begins — and may very well feel like a playoff preview.
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CIBOLO STEELE
Out of San Antonio, the Knights enter the contest undefeated at 3-0, fresh off a convincing 42-22 win over Brandeis.
Under ninth-year head coach David Saenz — who was recently selected as an assistant coach for the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl — Steele continues to build on last season’s 11-2 campaign, which ended in the third round against eventual 6A-Division II Champion Vandegrift.
Leading the way offensively is senior tailback Jonathan Hatton Jr., a four-star Texas A&M-commit who has already racked up over 400 rushing yards and seven touchdowns through three games.
After earning a first-team, all-district selection in 2024, he’s certainly making a strong case for District 29-6A Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Junior quarterback DJ Green has been a steady hand for Steele, managing the game efficiently behind an experienced offensive line anchored by UTEP-bound senior Pryce McClanahan. Out wide, the Knights have two reliable targets in senior Micah Sheeler and junior Jamin Harvell, both capable of stretching the field.
Defensively, Steele boasts a formidable front seven, spearheaded by Arizona State-commit Julian Hugo.
The senior edge rusher headlines a group that includes veteran middle linebacker Jared Ibarra and rising sophomore Pike Kempe.
The secondary is just as dangerous, featuring junior safety Eli Johnson — a four-star prospect with offers from Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, and Texas A&M, among others. Opposing quarterbacks have learned quickly to think twice before challenging his side of the field.
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Maddox Flynt & Thompson Bennett (Westlake v. Atascocita -- 9/12/25)
Photo By: Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
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Rees Wise (Westlake v. Atascocita -- 9/12/25)
Photo By: Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
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Photo By: Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
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Westlake Head Coach Tony Salazar
Photo By: Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
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WESTLAKE
On the other sideline, Westlake (2-1) is coming off a gritty 35-28 road win over Atascocita, following a 66-0 blowout of San Benito in Week 2. The Chaps dropped a narrow opener to Prosper but have looked sharper each week since.
Head coach Tony Salazar has once again built a team capable of contending, following last year’s run to the 6A-D1 State Championship.
Senior QB Rees Wise, an Ole Miss-commit, headlines the offense with a balanced attack, using both his arm and legs to keep defenses on edge.
Sophomore standout Jarren “The Jet” Lopez and senior Sebastian Henault share the backfield duties, forming a dynamic one-two punch.
Wise’s receiving corps is deep and talented, featuring senior Jack Newhouse, junior Rhett Jenkins, and sophomore Chase Brodhead.
Meanwhile, Westlake’s defense remains a calling card.
TCU-bound senior Maddox Flynt, the reigning District 26-6A Defensive MVP, sets the tone up front, while senior safety Thompson Bennett continues to shine as a physical, versatile presence in the back end.
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With stars on both sides of the ball and coaching staffs that know how to win in November, Friday’s showdown could be a tone-setter for the rest of the season — and possibly a glimpse at a future playoff rematch.