A tale of two state champions...and two quarterbacks

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

KATY, TEXAS (January 9, 2021) It was a battle between two 2019 state champions. The semifinal game to the determine one of the final two teams playing for the UIL State 6A Division 1 state championship. They both had been there before. The Galena Park North Shore Mustangs were the 6A Division I state champions in 2019. The Austin Westlake Chaparrals were the 2019 6A Division II champions.  It was not only a battle between two storied high schools. It was a battle between two quarterbacks who led their respective teams to undefeated seasons leading up to the contest at Legacy Stadium in Katy. Westlake came out on top, by the score of 24-21 in a game that was, in this writer's opinion, the most even matchup of two teams in the current UIL playoffs; and the most evenly matched quarterbacks in Texas.

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved

The Chaparrals were led by junior Cade Klubnik (shown above), with the Mustangs being led by senior Dematrius Davis (shown left). Klubnik will return to Westlake in the fall of 2021 to lead the Chaparrals, while Davis will begin his college career, in the fall, with the Auburn Tigers. Their individual stats tell part of the story of how the game went.

Klubnik completed 15 of 27 passes for 172 yards (55.56%) with two touchdowns. He also carried the ball 10 times for 14 yards and one touchdown. His longest run was eight yards. Davis, on the other hand, completed 10 of 19 passes for 140 yards (52.16%) with two touchdowns. He rushed 19 times for 69 yards and one touchdown. Their stats were fairly close, except for one important area; interceptions, Klubnik was not picked off during the game, while Davis threw two interceptions. That was difference...interceptions. That statistic is not to imply that it cost the Mustangs the game. It simply shows that anything can happen in a game, and if it CAN happen, it usually does. That is the nature of the sport.

Both of these fine young men are destined for great things. Klubnik and the Chaparrals will next face Southlake Carroll for the Texas state championship on Saturday, January 16 at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington. Davis' next game will be on Saturday, September 4 when the Auburn Tigers play the Akron Zips at Jordan-Hare Stadium, in Auburn, Alabama.