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THE CLUTCH 32: UIL GBB 2025-26 State Championship Preview -- Westlake vs. Lancaster (6A D2)
WHERE: Alamodome -- San Antonio, TX
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WESTLAKE CHAPARRALS
Perfection is the only way to describe Westlake’s 2026 run, a fitting description for a team that enters San Antonio with a spotless 40–0 record. It’s been more than two decades since the Chaps last advanced to the State Tournament, a milestone secured on the heels of a 61–38 rout of Judson in the Region IV Final last week. Add Tuesday’s 51–50 nail-biter against Shadow Creek, and head coach Vickie Benson’s squad now makes its first appearance in the UIL title game since winning its third championship in 1996.
When it comes to firepower, center Tamia King has been virtually unguardable all season. The Houston-bound senior stands 6-foot-1 and combines an exceptional finishing ability with rebounding tenacity and distribution skills, making King the ultimate weapon for the Chaparrals. Last year’s District 26-6A Offensive MVP, junior guard Molly Frazer, and junior forward Wynn Thorne — both team captains alongside King — force opposing defenses to pick their poison rather than focusing solely on No. 15.
LANCASTER TIGERS
Riding the momentum of a 12-game winning streak, Lancaster (32–5) secured back-to-back trips to the State Final Four — the second in program history — following last Friday’s 71–62 victory over Cypress Springs. Head coach LaJeanna Howard then watched her squad build on that historic run by punching the team’s first-ever ticket to the Alamodome with a 51–39 win over Braswell.
Anchoring the Tigers’ effort are senior guard Journee Hampton and juniors Arianna Davis, MaKenzie White, and Ava Womack. With history within reach, Lancaster now turns its attention to the final four quarters.
VYPE SATX Football Game of the Week Preview: Cibolo Steele vs. Westlake (Week 4)
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)
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.