In the past nine seasons, Westfield High School has an impressive record of 104 wins to just 18 losses. The Mustangs have been home to a winning culture and have even produced NFL defensive tackle Ed Oliver. One thing that has eluded the program, however, is that first state championship.
They had their first and best chance back in 2004 when the program reached the 5A D1 state championship game against Tyler Lee. But, ultimately fell short 28-21.
Westfield since 2011 has made the playoffs every single year but hasn’t reached the pinnacle yet. In 2011, 2013 and 2014 they made it to two regional finals and a state semifinal respectively but each time ended up losing to the eventual state champion that year. Westfield kept putting out dominant teams year after year but kept getting just shy of their ultimate goal. Last season they made it to the regional final again before falling to eventual state champion Longview.
Always the bridesmaid never the bride.
This season, however, could be different for the Mustangs. By defeating Dallas Jesuit 38-28 in the regional finals the Mustangs find themselves in the state semifinals for the first time in half a decade. The defense is allowing the fewest point of any of the four 6A D2 schools remaining at 9.8 points a game. The offense is led by a sophomore quarterback who’s leading his squad to 38 points a game.
If Rockwall, Lone Star, and Carroll taught us anything it’s that 2019 is the year of the sophomore quarterback.
Leading the show for the Mustangs is Cardell Williams. Williams in the Mustangs 14 games this year has thrown for nearly 2,600 yards with 30 total touchdowns to only six interceptions.
The key to his early success? – “staying humble,” Williams said.
Williams’s top target is senior wide receiver and Tulsa commit Malachai Jones. Jones this year leads the team in catches and receiving touchdowns with 40 and 10 respectively.
“The key to my personal success is my teammates,” Jones said. “Couldn’t do it without them and I continue to work hard and trust the process.”
Westfields season has been filled with dominant performances. During the regular season, they defeated four teams that would end up making the playoffs by a combined score of 131-22.
The team’s only loss this year, was a three-point loss to the reigning 6A D1 champion, North Shore. The Mustangs are one of only two teams this season to keep North Shore’s explosive offense in the ’20s.
“Staying focused and just keep working hard,” Williams said on his teams’ success.
“We must keep working hard and stay focused as a team and never let our foot off the gas,” Jones added.
Westfield this postseason has taken down four teams with a combined 36 wins by an average margin of more than two touchdowns a game. Their latest victim was red hot Dallas Jesuit inside NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans.
Malachai Jones who caught five passes for nearly 100 yards and two touchdowns in the win said: “It was huge for us…just a great experience.”
Next on the Mustang’s schedule? Denton Guyer and the 1-2 punch of Eli Stowers and Kaedric Cobbs.
“Same thing we’ve been doing, big plays, big stops on defense,” Williams said on what we can expect from the matchup.
“It’s going to be a great game,” Jones added.
If Westfield could keep North Shore to their second-lowest point total of the season they definitely can prove to be a pain in Guyer’s side as well. The game will be played on Saturday at 1 P.M. inside of Sheldon ISD Panther Stadium.
With a win, the Mustangs move on to the state championship game for only the second time in program history.
In the words of Malachai Jones – “Expect to see me winning with my brothers.”
