The Westlake (Austin, TX) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Vista Ridge (Cedar Park, TX) today at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, 6A Division 1 tournament.

Westlake vs Vista Ridge Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Westlake vs Vista Ridge
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 6A D1
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Game preview: Westlake vs Vista Ridge

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, fans and analysts alike are closely following the performances of Vista Ridge and Westlake, two powerhouse teams from Texas with contrasting records and styles. This article breaks down the stats, rankings, and key players from both teams ahead of their anticipated matchups.

Team Overview

Vista Ridge has put together a solid season so far, finishing with a 6-4 record overall and a 5-3 record in district play. The team has performed well at home (3-2) but has had a more challenging time on the road (3-2). Despite their 272 points scored over the season, Vista Ridge has been consistently outscored by their opponents, allowing 270 points. Their offensive production averages 27.2 points per game, though they struggle to maintain consistency across quarters, with scoring drops in the 3rd and 4th.

Westlake, on the other hand, has been nearly unstoppable, with a remarkable 9-1 record and an undefeated district performance (6-0). They have dominated both at home (5-1) and away (4-0), with an overall scoring difference of 467 points scored to only 120 points allowed. Westlake’s offensive strategy has been a juggernaut, averaging 46.7 points per game, and they continue to build momentum as the season moves forward.

Key Team Comparisons

The statistics show a clear difference between the two teams in several key areas:

• Rushing yards per game: Westlake leads with 186.9 rushing yards per game, significantly outpacing Vista Ridge’s 106.0 yards per game.
• Passing yards per game: Both teams have strong passing attacks, but Vista Ridge (171.3 yards per game) is slightly behind Westlake’s 197.9 yards per game.
• Total yards per game: Westlake dominates here as well, with 384.8 total yards per game compared to Vista Ridge’s 277.3.
• Points per game: Westlake has a clear advantage, scoring 41.9 points per game, while Vista Ridge averages 25.6.

Scoring Breakdown

Vista Ridge has struggled to put up big numbers early in games, with their first-quarter average at zero points. Their offensive game picks up in the second quarter with 7 points, but they fail to maintain momentum in the second half, scoring just 7 points in the third and 0 in the fourth. Their ability to finish strong has been a noticeable weakness.

In contrast, Westlake has demonstrated strong performance throughout the game, especially in the first half. They score an average of 12.4 points in the first quarter, with 14.4 points in the second, and maintain solid scoring through the third quarter (10.9 points) before slowing down a bit in the fourth (7.0 points).

Team Leaders

Vista Ridge’s standout players include:

• JD Jackson (#13), who averages 71.6 rushing yards per game.
• Kaden Arnot (#7), who leads the team with 166.3 passing yards per game and 175.9 total yards per game.
• Ben Reed (#11), who leads the team in receiving yards per game with 37.5.

Westlake’s key contributors are:

• Grady Bartlett (#36), with 60.1 rushing yards per game.
• Rees Wise (#9), who stands out with 166.5 passing yards per game and 180.8 total yards per game.
• Lawson Grimes (#1), with a stellar 76.0 receiving yards per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Bowie, with Vista Ridge losing 37-28 to them, while Westlake handily defeated Bowie 48-7. This performance gap against a common opponent further highlights Westlake’s dominance over the season.

Record Breakdown

The two teams have had similar success in district play, with Vista Ridge posting a 5-3 district record and Westlake remaining perfect at 6-0. While both teams have been solid in non-district matchups, Westlake’s consistent dominance throughout the season is reflected in their superior overall record and points scored.

• Vista Ridge: 6-4 overall, 5-3 district
• Westlake: 9-1 overall, 6-0 district

Conclusion

While Vista Ridge has been competitive this season, Westlake stands out as the stronger team heading into any potential postseason clash. Westlake’s combination of a powerful offense and a stingy defense makes them one of the top teams in Texas high school football. However, with standout players like Kaden Arnot and JD Jackson, Vista Ridge still has the potential to put up a strong challenge.

As both teams prepare for the remainder of the season, fans will be watching closely to see if Vista Ridge can upset the mighty Westlake or if the latter will continue their path to state dominance. Regardless of the outcome, this matchup promises to showcase some of the best high school football talent in the state.