ARLINGTON — Todd Dodge went out a winner, Cade Klubnik capped his high school career in style, and Jaden Greathouse carved his name in the record books.

For Westlake football, this was the perfect ending to a perfect season. After a slow start, the Klubnik-to-Greathouse connection dialed long distance three times to help the Chaparrals win the Class 6A Division II state championship with a 40-21 victory over Denton Guyer on Saturday night.

This was a game filled with unbridled emotion. Klubnik and Greathouse embraced at midfield, gold medals hanging around their necks. And there was Dodge, holding the championship trophy over his head while thousands of Chaparral fans voiced their support.

This was Westlake's third straight 6A state championship. It also was the team's 40th straight victory. The Chaps finished the season 16-0.

Dodge compared his players to fifth grade students who had 25 minutes for recess and "milked every last minute for what it was worth" before going back to class.

"I've never been around a bunch of players — and I've been around some great teams — that absolutely respected the game of football," Dodge said. "They had that same enthusiasm every day in practice and they had it in every game. It was like they wanted to go back to recess again."

Klubnik played another masterful game, completing 14 of 21 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns. Greathouse, the game's offensive MVP, scored three touchdowns — of 62, 69 and 71 yards — and finished with a championship game record 236 yards receiving. For Greathouse, only a junior, it was his 46th straight game as a Chaparral starter.

Westlake set another state record when senior kicker Charlie Barnett connected on a game-changing 53-yard field goal to give his team a 23-21 lead late in the third quarter.

Dodge said his first instinct was to be safe and punt the ball. But after Guyer called a timeout — "they were expecting us to fake punt" — he changed his mind.

Dodge said he made one optimistic comment to Barnett: "Let's roll."

Barnett's kick sent a shock throughout the entire stadium and the Chaps rode that momentum. Klubnik and Greathouse connected on their final two deep touchdowns on their next two possessions, and the game was no longer in doubt.

Westlake's defense was shaky early, but limited Guyer to just seven points in the second half. Defensive MVP Colton Vasek contributed four tackles that included three sacks. Linebacker Byers Petty and strong safety Will Courtney contributed 10 tackles apiece. Will Magids got the Chaps on the scoreboard early when he blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to give them a 6-0 edge.

"Helping this man (Dodge) go out with a three-peat means the world to all of us players," senior defensive back Carter Barksdale said.

Guyer coach Rodney Webb also gave high praise to Dodge.

"Todd Dodge will go down in history," Webb said. "What he did at Southlake Carroll (four state championships) and at Westlake (three more titles) is unparalleled. He changed football in Texas for the better., made it a better game."

When asked what he will do in retirement, Dodge said he will watch some of his seniors play college football. He also said he will spend more time with his grandchildren. He missed grandson Tate's peewee football game Saturday morning, noting that the youngster scored four touchdowns.

For Todd Dodge, the game never ends.

Replay: Westlake sends coach Todd Dodge into retirement with third straight championship

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Westlake football claims state title with 40-21 win over Denton Guyer