It wasn’t the prettiest game for Westlake football.
Inclement weather pushed Friday night’s season opener game back to 8 p.m. Inglewood’s loaded defense came ready to play with a physical, grinding mentality. Multiple players suffered from cramps and the Chaparrals took some big hits.
But most importantly, the Chaps left Week 1 victorious. After a back-and-forth affair, Westlake scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback win.
“They pushed us; we pushed back. When they scored, we scored,” Westlake coach Tony Salazar said. “There’s going to be wins on both sides, but it’s how you finish at the end.”
Westlake QB Patton Jones was clutch
No player exemplified Westlake’s mentality more than quarterback Patton Jones. The senior, making his first career start, wasn’t spectacular. He threw a second-half interception in the end zone and had spotty accuracy for most of the night. And he faced consistent pressure from Myels Smith, Inglewood’s four-star defensive lineman, and the Texas A&M commit lived up to his reputation.
MORE:New Westlake QB Patton Jones welcomes Chaps’ expectations, pressure
Instead of shrinking, Jones gritted his teeth. He took shots from Sentinels defenders in stride and broke tackles that could have ended drives on multiple occasions. In one instance, three Inglewood defenders swarmed him for what looked like a sure sack. Jones somehow ducked his way out of the pressure and rifled a 14-yard pass to Braden Riddell for a first down.
Jones’ best moments came in the fourth quarter. He tied the game 26-26 with his second rushing touchdown of the night, and after Westlake’s defense held firm, he found wide receiver Rhett Jenkins streaking down the right sideline for a 51-yard gain, setting the Chaps up on Inglewood’s 10-yard line. Freshman running back C.J. Jones scored the go-ahead touchdown three plays later.
“He’s not going to go down without a fight, and I think that proved it tonight,” Westlake offensive lineman Jackson Cook said.
C.J. Jones makes his freshman debut
While Westlake’s legacy has been built on excellent quarterback play, its next big star might be a running back.
C.J. Jones had received more than 45 college scholarship offers before playing a down of high school football. The son of former NFL running back George Jones, the Chaps freshman made his varsity debut Friday and struggled initially. He ran into a brick wall of Sentinels defensive linemen in the first half, and Inglewood defensive backs sniffed out most of the screens that were set up for the back.
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Jones found a second wind once Inglewood began to tire later in the game. He showed exceptional toughness, diving into collisions against much older defenders. It wasn’t the flashiest debut, and he’s not a stud yet, but the potential to grow into one is there.
“When I’m long gone, and all these guys are long gone … he’s going to lead Westlake to a good season – hopefully a state championship,” Cook said.
Texas vs. California
Cook saw social media talking. He heard the doubters circling after Westlake’s down season last year. With a talented visiting team from the West Coast, questions arose about whether the proud tradition of Texas high school football could stand up to one of California’s best.
The Texas commit said anyone who still questions the Lone Star State can look to Friday’s result.
“All we heard about was how Inglewood’s defensive line was so good. They were going to blow us up; we were going to get squashed,” Cook said. “I think tonight settles that debate, whether Texas or Cali is better.”
Cook didn’t play the whole game; Salazar allowed other Chaps to get in on some action. And for all the talk that happens off the field, the coach said he only cares about what’s happening on it.
“We’ll form our opinion on this field right here, and on the field when we go play and visit their stadiums,” Salazar said. “Let everybody doubt this team. All they’re doing is putting fuel to the fire.”
This article originally published at Westlake football-Inglewood takeaways: Chaps QB Patton Jones puts Texas vs Cali talk to rest.
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