ARLINGTON, Texas – In a game that showcased everything great about girls high school flag football in Texas, the Austin Westlake Warriors claimed their first-ever state championship with a hard-fought 26-20 victory over the Cedar Hill Longhorns on December 14, 2024, at AT&T Stadium.
The championship game, sanctioned by the Texas Education Agency and supported by NFL FLAG's growing partnership with Texas high schools, lived up to its billing as two undefeated teams battled for 40 minutes of non-stop action in front of a crowd of over 3,200 fans at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
First Half: Trading Blows in Championship Atmosphere
Westlake's senior quarterback Maya Rodriguez opened the scoring on the Warriors' second possession, connecting with junior wide receiver Jasmine Chen on a perfectly executed post route that went 35 yards to the end zone. The extra point attempt fell incomplete, giving Westlake an early 6-0 lead with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter.
Cedar Hill answered quickly when quarterback Destiny Williams orchestrated an 8-play, 65-yard drive that consumed nearly four minutes of clock. Williams, who earned District MVP honors during the regular season, found her rhythm by targeting the middle of the field with quick slants and crossing routes. She capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown strike to sophomore receiver Aaliyah Thompson, then added the conversion on a quarterback keeper to give the Longhorns an 8-6 advantage.
The second quarter belonged to Westlake's explosive offense. Rodriguez, a three-year starter who has committed to continue her flag football career at a collegiate level, demonstrated why she's considered one of the top quarterbacks in Texas girls flag football leagues. She connected on touchdown passes of 28 and 18 yards to different receivers, with senior Kayla Martinez and Chen both finding the end zone. Westlake converted one extra point attempt, taking a 19-8 lead into halftime.
Cedar Hill's Third Quarter Surge
Cedar Hill head coach Marcus Henderson made defensive adjustments at halftime that paid immediate dividends. The Longhorns switched to a more aggressive coverage scheme, bringing pressure from their safety position and forcing Rodriguez into quicker decisions.
Williams led Cedar Hill on two consecutive scoring drives in the third quarter. The first came on a beautifully designed trick play, where Williams pitched to running back Zoe Carter, who then threw back across the field to a wide-open Williams for a 22-yard touchdown. The second score came on a conventional 8-yard fade route to Thompson, her second touchdown reception of the game.
Cedar Hill's successful extra point conversion after Thompson's second touchdown tied the game at 20-20 with 2:14 remaining in the third quarter, completely shifting momentum and sending the Cedar Hill sideline into celebration.
Westlake's Championship Drive
With the game tied and the championship hanging in the balance, Rodriguez and the Warriors offense took the field with 9:47 remaining in regulation. What followed was a masterclass in clock management and execution that will be studied by coaches across Texas girls flag football programs for years to come.
The Warriors methodically moved down the field, converting two crucial fourth-down attempts. On fourth-and-three from the Cedar Hill 38-yard line, Rodriguez found Martinez on a quick out route for six yards. Later, facing fourth-and-two from the 19-yard line, Rodriguez kept the ball herself on a designed quarterback draw, racing 11 yards before having her flag pulled at the 8-yard line.
Two plays later, Rodriguez rolled right and found Chen in the back corner of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown with 3:42 remaining. The extra point attempt failed, but Westlake had reclaimed the lead at 26-20.
Defense Wins Championships
Cedar Hill had one final opportunity to extend their season. Starting from their own 20-yard line with 3:35 on the clock and two timeouts remaining, Williams moved the Longhorns into Westlake territory with a pair of completions totaling 32 yards.
However, Westlake's defense, led by defensive back Sophie Anderson, stiffened when it mattered most. On first-and-goal from the 9-yard line, Anderson recorded a crucial flag pull for a 2-yard loss. Two incomplete passes followed, setting up fourth-and-goal from the 11-yard line with 47 seconds remaining.
Williams' final pass, intended for Thompson in the end zone, was knocked away by Anderson, securing the championship for the Warriors and setting off a wild celebration on the Westlake sideline.
Championship Performance Statistics
Rodriguez finished the Texas girls high school flag football championship game completing 22 of 31 passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Chen recorded seven receptions for 118 yards and three touchdowns, earning championship game MVP honors.
For Cedar Hill, Williams completed 18 of 28 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Thompson caught six passes for 89 yards and two scores in the losing effort.
The championship game marked a historic moment for girls flag football in Texas, which has seen exponential growth since the UIL began sanctioning the sport as a varsity activity. According to USA Football, Texas now boasts over 150 high schools offering girls flag football programs, with that number expected to grow significantly in the coming years as more schools recognize the sport's popularity and the opportunities it provides for female athletes.
Westlake finishes their historic season with a perfect 14-0 record and the program's first state championship in any football format.