The Longhorns don’t have a commitment at quarterback for the 2022 class as of yet. They lost out on Quinn Ewers early on in October when the nation’s top recruit decided to pledge to Ohio State after decommitting from his childhood team growing up. On Saturday night, Ewers led his Southlake Carroll Dragons into AT&T Stadium in Arlington to face Austin Westlake. On the opposite sideline, the quarterback he would face off against was Texas target Cade Klubnik.
Klubnik is another top 2022 quarterback recruit, but not quite as highly touted as Ewers. He does hold an offer from the University of Texas and the Longhorns are seen as a top school choice. His head coach, Todd Dodge, once wore the burnt orange as a quarterback in the 1980’s. A former fellow Westlake quarterback, Sam Ehlinger, also could be a deciding factor in helping lure him to the Forty Acres. That will all play out in the coming months after head coach Steve Sarkisian closes out the 2021 cycle.
On Saturday, it was all about Klubnik and Austin Westlake aiming for a state championship. Early on in the battle, it seemed like this would be a back and forth affair as the Chaparrals would answer the Dragons in quick fashion.
SEE YA LATER 💨
Zane Minors dusts the defense on the Chaparrals' first play from scrimmage to tie this one at 7 apiece 👀#TXHSFB | @uiltexas | #UILonFSSW | #UILState pic.twitter.com/mbimSkMKZs
— FOX Sports Southwest (@FOXSportsSW) January 17, 2021
It would stay a tight game throughout much of the first half in the Texas 6A state championship game. Southlake Carroll wouldn’t go away quietly early on as the two teams were tied at 21 with under 2:00 to go until halftime. Klubnik would eventually put the Chaparrals ahead.
Touchdown, Chaparrals!! 👀
4-star QB Cade Klubnik keeps it himself to give @Westlake_Nation a 28-21 lead!#TXHSFB | @uiltexas | #UILonFSSW | #UILState pic.twitter.com/WVrIU9a0Un
— FOX Sports Southwest (@FOXSportsSW) January 17, 2021
Austin Westlake would extend their lead to 14 points on a touchdown to get the scoring started in the second half. Ewers and the Dragons would look to get back into the game but he would throw his second interceptions to defensive back Michael Taaffe, who made a spectacular play for the turnover.
ONE-HANDED INTERCEPTION 😳@Westlake_Nation DB Michael Taaffe goes full Odell Beckham Jr. for his second INT of the contest!!#TXHSFB | @uiltexas | #UILonFSSW | #UILState pic.twitter.com/lev29hImpV
— FOX Sports Southwest (@FOXSportsSW) January 17, 2021
Klubnik would score yet another touchdown on the ground and the Chaparrals started to pour it on the Dragons. By the time that Southlake Carroll could answer, Austin Westlake would build the lead to 52-21. They went on to win 52-34, giving former Longhorns quarterback Todd Dodge yet another state championship.
It was quite the season for both quarterbacks.