AUSTIN (KXAN) — There will be another Battle of the Lakes in the 6A Division I Region IV final next week.
For the second consecutive year, Westlake and Lake Travis will battle for a spot in the state semifinals. They'll play at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.
How'd the two powerhouse programs make it a Battle of the Lakes redux? With blowout victories in the regional semifinals.
Westlake pounded Buda Johnson 52-14 on Friday at Burger Stadium and Lake Travis allowed one San Antonio East Central score in a 52-7 romp at Matador Stadium in Seguin.
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The Chaparrals scored early and often, rolling up a 38-7 lead by halftime. It was an inauspicious start for the Jaguars after they muffed the opening kickoff, allowing Westlake to recover it deep in Johnson territory. The Jags' defense held firm, however, and kept the Chaps out of the end zone and made them kick a short field goal. That was one of the few defensive bright spots for the Jags.
Westlake's Brandon Clark typically plays in the defensive backfield for the Chaps, but with injuries to several running backs, he made his debut in the offensive backfield and impressed. Clark scored twice on runs of 51 and 13 yards in the first half to help propel the Chaps to a big early lead. The 51-yarder was Clark's first offensive touchdown of his career.
Buda Johnson scored touchdowns in style, both on explosive plays of 60 yards or more. Running back Kael Hatnot put the Jags on the board with a 60-yard run in the first half and then quarterback Zach Isaak motored for a 62-yard score in the second half.
Westlake's Nate Kay had a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and quarterback Rees Wise ran for two touchdowns and threw for one.
Buda Johnson ends its season with an 8-5 record. The Jags notched playoff wins over Laredo United and Los Fresnos after finishing fourth in District 29-6A.
Lake Travis running back Van Hopping scored on a 95-yard run in the second quarter to help the Cavs punch their ticket to the regional final. It was one of his three rushing scores in the frame, and he added a 7-yard score in the third quarter.
East Central led 7-3 after Isaiah Mackey found Dei'Rionn Smith-Cline for a score in the first quarter, but that was all the scoring the Hornets the rest of the way. Lake Travis took a 10-7 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 38-7 by halftime.
Cavs quarterback Chaston Ditta had two passing touchdowns in the first half.
