'Our magic finally ran out': Westlake's 54-game football streak ends against North Shore
HOUSTON — Fittingly, it took a champion to beat a champion.
In a Division I state semifinal between the two preeminent Class 6A programs of their era, Galena Park North Shore held off Westlake for a 49-34 win at Rice Stadium on Saturday night. North Shore’s victory not only avenged a loss to the Chaparrals in the state semifinals two years ago, but it ended Westlake’s remarkable run of 54 straight wins and three consecutive state titles.
“Our magic finally ran out,” Westlake coach Tony Salazar said. “But it wasn’t for a lack of trying, it wasn’t for a lack of commitment, and it wasn’t for a lack of love. These guys have all three of those things, and I’m so very proud to be a part of this team with them.”
Like Westlake, North Shore has a championship pedigree that includes three state titles at the Class 6A Division I level in the past four years. The Mustangs' only playoff loss in that span came against Westlake in the 2020 state semifinals when a late score lifted the Chaps to a 24-21 win.
The significance of beating Westlake wasn’t lost on North Shore coach John Kay.
“I love watching good football,” Kay said. “I was a football fan well before I was a football coach, so seeing kids on both teams lay it all out there like that on both sides, it’s a shame someone has to win or lose. But that’s why we’re here, and that’s why we’re competing. We are just fired up about this win.”
North Shore (15-0) and Westlake (14-1) even flirted with the idea of playing a nondistrict game this season, Kay said.
“Anytime we get a chance to play Westlake, you want to take it,” he said. “Tony (Salazar) and I talked about playing each other in week two, but Tony’s words were ‘A game like that belongs in December.’ He’s right. And we got that today. Both programs get better when we play each other, no doubt about it.”
North Shore earned the win in all three phases of the game. The Mustangs ran for more than 300 yards behind an unofficial 138 yards and three touchdowns from Rashaad Johnson, 112 yards and a score from quarterback David Amador, and 86 yards and a touchdown by D’Andre Hardeman. They became the first team to score at least 40 points on Westlake since Lake Travis in 2016.
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Seven of those points came on special teams, when Evan Jackson returned a punt 73 yards for a score.
Defensively, North Shore forced two turnovers and disrupted the usually efficient Westlake offense with its speed and discipline. Westlake quarterback Brett Skinner, a junior who will be back next season, threw for almost 300 yards but completed an unofficial 12 of 34 passes. Classmate Jack Kayser ran for a hard-earned 63 yards, and senior Bryce Chambers ended his career with three catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Even in defeat, Chambers could appreciate the achievements of his teammates, despite enduring the program’s first loss since a midseason game against Lake Travis in 2019.
“When you’ve won so many games, and then it comes to an end, it’s hard,” Chambers said. “This is the last time being a Chap. You leave it all out on the field, and that makes you feel a little bit better, but you’re losing your whole family with this team.”
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But Chambers also said the bonds forged in Westlake’s predawn practices and the locker rooms will remain strong. Only a few players, such as Texas defensive end pledge Colton Vasek and Notre Dame receiver recruit Jaden Greathouse, are going on to play college football. For many of them, Saturday’s game was the last time they would strap on pads and a helmet.
“Our family will always stay together, and the fans here are as much a part of it as we are,” Chambers said. “It will be hard to let it go, but you have to move on. Football isn’t everything. But our coaches did more than prepare us for football. They prepared us for life, so we’re ready for what’s next.”
Salazar had just as much appreciation for Chambers and his teammates, especially the seniors. He described the players as a fearless bunch never afraid to meet the moment.
“They’re never scared,” Salazar said. “They’d go head-on into a dang burning house. Maybe they should all be firefighters because they never once thought twice about anything. They see a house on fire; they run right into it if we asked them to and never once ask questions.
“They were in this together. We placed big challenges in front of them, and they always responded. Every other time we came out on top, but tonight, it wasn’t our night. We’ll celebrate these seniors because the standard is through the roof with them. I’m so indebted to them for their commitment to our program.”
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Westlake's football streak ends with semifinals loss to North Shore
