Led by defense, Westlake (5-0) climbs to No. 9 in state,

Bowie suffered its first loss of the football season this past weekend, when Westlake recorded a 24-9 victory during its trip to Burger Stadium. Knocking off an undefeated team is nothing new to the Chaparrals, though, as Westlake has handed each of its five opponents its first loss of 2015.

Westlake (5-0) has scored 201 points this season, and quarterback Sam Ehlinger has accounted for 22 touchdowns and zero interceptions. However, the play of a defense coordinated by former All-Central Texas defensive back Tony Salazar has been just as vital to the Chaparrals’ rise to the ninth spot in the latest Associated Press Class 6A state poll.

Westlake has now held Southlake Carroll (14 points), Temple (17), Anderson (10), Austin High (12) and Bowie to their lowest single-game totals of the season. When not playing Westlake, those five teams have averaged just less than 35 points per game.

The Chaparrals’ defense boasts some collegebound talent. Senior defensive back Max Mangum has committed to Harvard. In addition to being the son of former NFL linebacker Robert Jones, Westlake junior linebacker Levi Jones is a three-star recruit who holds scholarship offers from East Carolina and Kansas.

Another homecoming: Lago Vista observed its homecoming on Sept. 25, but Zane Bode will celebrate the occasion this weekend.

On Friday, Lago Vista (1-4) will host a Florence team coached by Bode, the Vikings’ ex-defensive coordinator. Bode had led the Vikings’ defense for the previous 10 seasons before an offseason coaching change resulted in his departure.

In July, he was hired by Florence to replace Joey McQueen.

In his first year as a head coach, Bode has led Florence to a 4-1 mark in its non-district games. Florence has won four games for only the third time in the past decade, but things are about to get truly interesting for the Buffaloes. Only two of the previous 56 football postseasons have included Florence, and the Buffs have dropped 15 straight games in district play.

Under the radar: Each week, we’ll introduce you to a player who is making big plays despite not having a big name.

This week, we’re taking a look at Burnet junior Steven Gallardo.

Despite missing one of Burnet’s five games this fall, Gallardo ranks third among Austin-area athletes in receiving yards (491), and he’s seventh in receptions (27). Gallardo has recorded six touchdown catches and three 100-yard receiving games, and he also has scored on three runs and a 96-yard kickoff return.

Burnet is averaging 36 points per game. The Bulldogs (4-1) open district play against China Spring (5-0) on Friday.

Where are they now? Every week, we will spotlight the collegiate accomplishments of a few of our area alums.

If you know of someone who should be featured in this segment, drop me an email at danieldavis@statesman.com.

UT-San Antonio junior safety Michael Egwuagu (Connally, 2013) was named Conference USA’s defensive player of the week after he scored twice in the Roadrunners’ 25-6 win over UTEP on Oct. 3. Egwuagu ranks second among the Roadrunners with 32 tackles.

Texas A&M sophomore setter Stephanie Aiple (Round Rock, 2014) ranks third in the Southeastern Conference with her average of 11.1 assists per set.