The Westlake Academy Blacksmiths will host the Fort Worth THESA Riders at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Westlake Academy knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 31 points or more in their past eight contests -- so hopefully Fort Worth THESA likes a good challenge.
Last Thursday, Westlake Academy blew past Johnson County Sports Association, posting a 58-8 victory. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Blacksmiths' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' Texas football rankings (they are ranked 36th, while the Lions are ranked 190th).
Special teams played a big role in the game for Westlake Academy, adding 20 points to the final score. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Angel Manon, who ran a kickoff back for a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Fort Worth THESA came tearing into Saturday's matchup with four straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 34.5 points), and they left with even more momentum. They claimed a resounding 59-14 win over Tyler HEAT. The result was nothing new for the Riders, who have now won seven games by 33 points or more so far this season.
Westlake Academy better keep an eye on Caleb Bright. He was instrumental in Fort Worth THESA's win, rushing for 183 yards and a pair of TDs on only ten carries, while also picking up 31 receiving yards and one score. Bright has been hot recently, having also posted two or more rushing touchdowns the last four times he's played. Fletcher Grubbs got in on the action as well, returning a kick for a touchdown.
Fort Worth THESA didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Uriah Quinney and Jaxon Smith. Garrett Jones was another major factor on D, picking up 3.5 sacks, forcing one fumble, and making 12 total tackles (6.0 for loss).
Westlake Academy's record is now 7-1. As for Fort Worth THESA, their record now sits at 8-2.
Westlake Academy didn't have too much breathing room in their contest against Fort Worth THESA in their previous matchup back in September, but they still walked away with a 39-35 victory. Do the Blacksmiths have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Riders turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
