FIND OUT WHY WESTLAKE RANKS 3RD IN IN OUR TOP 10
Another Ehlinger ( Jake, linebacker) figures big in plans for Chaparrals.
In many ways, Westlake linebacker Jake Ehlinger resembles his brother Sam, the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.
Same build. Same tenacity. Same haircut.
Coach Todd Dodge isn’t complaining. Sam Ehlinger is part of a legacy of great Chaparrals quarterbacks. And before this season is over, the younger Ehlinger hopes to make a similar impact — on defense.
“Jake had as productive a junior year on the defensive side of the
ball as Sam did at quarterback during his junior year,” Dodge said. “Sam might be 2 inches taller. People always said Sam’s a quarterback who looks like a linebacker. Well, Jake is a linebacker who looks like a linebacker.”
Dodge’s Chaparrals are loaded again. They are ranked No. 4 in the state and No. 3 in the American-Statesman’s annual countdown poll, and another deep playoff run will hardly be a surprise. But for them to claim a state title, they will follow a defense that boasts talent and experience at almost every position.
Ehlinger established himself with 104 tackles last season. He had 17 against College Station in his first game as a starter.
“Jake was a tackling machine all year,” Dodge said.
Officially, Westlake has six players returning on defense. Dodge, though, said he’s got eight experienced players on the starting unit because senior safeties Doak Wilson and Drew Webster “played more than most of the starters.”
Westlake has the pieces to improve a defense that yielded just 16 points a game. The Chaps had a 14-0 record before losing to Houston Cypress-Fairbanks in a Class 6A, Division II semifinal last December at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Westlake center Blake Webster, who has started 29 straight games, said the offense benefits by practicing against one of the state’s top defenses.
“We have the best schemes, the best defensive line, the best linebackers,” Webster said.
Defensive end David Neil (115 tackles, 15 sacks) has been chosen to the American-Statesman’s All-Central Texas preseason team. Willie Robertson (44 tackles, three sacks) and Trellis Collins (33 tackles, two sacks) were key linemen on last year’s team.
Blake Chambers (40 tackles, two sacks) joins Ehlinger at linebacker. Safety Sage Luther (79 tackles, three interceptions) is also a member of the All-Centex preseason team.
Taylor Anderson’s experience as a starting quarterback gives the offense a two-dimensional skill set. He averaged 192 yards passing while firing 32 touchdowns and added 75 rushing yards per game.
Dodge is banking on a committee of players to make up for the loss of running back Nakia Watson, who rushed for 1,928 yards and 27 touchdowns before signing with Wisconsin.
Former linebacker Tripp Graham has been the most impressive running back in summer camp and is likely to get the first opportunity to replace Watson.
With the return of Mason Mangum and Penny Baker, the Chaps will be strong at wide receiver, Dodge said. They combined for 73 catches — 12 for touchdowns — last fall on a team that averaged 45 points a game.
“We can be just as productive on offense as last year, but it’s going to have to come from different places,” the coach said.
“We’re reloading, not rebuilding,” Webster said. “It’s about finding guys who will step up. Who’s going to be the playmaker? You’re always going to find someone to fill that void.”