Fitzpatrick's heroics lead Lake Travis past Westlake, into semifinals
Jay Plotkin American-Statesman Correspondent
Published 5:58 p.m. CT Dec. 2, 2023
KADYN LEON PULLS DOWN THE GAME WINNING TOUCHDOWN PASS AGAINST WESTLAKE
AUSTIN - Lake Travis last beat Westlake in October of 2019. Since that win they had lost three straight. That streak has now come to an end after Lake Travis went into Westlake's house and topped them 28-21 to punch their ticket to the semifinals.
Westlake would get on the board first when QB Rees Wise connected with Cal Liven good on a six yard touchdown pass on their second possession of the game.
Lake Travis answered by putting together a long drive that saw Cam Fitzpatrick connect with his favorite target Kadyn Leon to score from three yards out.
The teams would exchange punts and turnovers on downs until late in the second quarter when Lake Travis' Keiondre Lewis picked off a Wise pass and set up a 38 yard Fitzpatrick touchdown pass to Dylan Cullers.
Midway through the third quarter Westlake tied the game at 14-14 when Jack Kayser scored on a 12 yard touchdown run.
Westlake would regain the lead after a Lake Travis punt with Kayser scoring his second touchdown of the game on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The lead was short-lived as Fitzpatrick found Leon for a four yard score on the ensuing possession, making it 21-21 with around six minutes to play.
Westlake would come up empty on a promising drive that stalled in the red zone when Wise was picked off for a second time, this one by Lake Travis' Chance Brooks.
Lake Travis' offense took possession at their own 15 yard line with just over three minutes to play.
On a third and two at their own 42 yard line Fitzpatrick took the snap and was immediately pressured. He stepped up in the pocket and was hit as he released a pass to Cullers, picking up eight yards and the first down.
A few plays later on a fourth and six at Westlake's 47 Fitzpatrick rolled out on a bootleg and found tight end Sam Self down the sideline for a big gain down to the 17 yard line.
After a run for no gain Lake Travis used a time out to stop the clock at 31 seconds.
Fitzpatrick took the snap, dropped back and threw a perfect jump ball to Leon in the left corner of the endzone. The senior receiver came down with it to put Lake Travis back on top.
Lake Travis' defense knocked down a pair of Wise passes and sealed the win when Keiondre Lewis picked off a desperation heave.
Fitzpatrick, who passed for 283 yards and four touchdowns, moves into a tie for third place for touchdown passes in a season with Garrett Golbert, who threw 52 in 2007. He now trails only Charlie Brewer (2016) and Gilbert's 2008 performance with 56.
Lake Travis will face North Shore, who narrowly defeated Atascocita by a score of 34-28, next week in the semi final with a trip to the championship game on the line.
Has to be a better man than JF who lost in the state finals
