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College Football Playoffs gives Quinn Ewers and Cade Klubnik a second chance after Texas state championship duel

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brian Davis | Last updated Dec 9, 2024 12:00 PM ET

The College Football Playoffs won’t be the first time Quinn Ewers and Cade Klubnik have clashed in a high-profile matchup in the state of Texas.

The Texas and Clemson quarterbacks staged a huge shootout in January 2021 for the Class 6A Division I state championship during their high school days at AT&T Stadium.

Southlake Carroll’s Ewers had better passing totals, but Westlake’s Klubnik emerged with the 52-34 victory to end the 2000 high school season.

The buildup during the Covid-era matchup was all about the coaches — Westlake’s Todd Dodge coaching against his son Riley Dodge of Southlake. But when the game started, the quarterbacks quickly took centerstage.

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Klubnik opened by completing 8-of-9 passes for 126 yards in the first half. Ewers threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns before the break.

Ironically, future Texas walk-on-turned-scholarship starter Michael Taaffe had a critical interception just before halftime and another in the third quarter for Westlake, too.

Ewers was a five-star recruit considered the nation’s No. 1 quarterback prospect in the class of 2021. He was sensational, finishing 23-of-39 for 351 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Klubnik was 18-for-20 for 220 yards with one touchdown and had a season-high 97 yards rushing.

“Cade is a great player,” Riley Dodge said afterward. “Just super dynamic with his legs. When you have a quarterback that is as accurate as he is and can really run ... when he’s in the open field, he might be the best guy on the field.”

Westlake’s offense was simply too much, scoring on almost every drive. For example, Yale commit Zane Minors had a 75-yard touchdown run on Westlake’s first offensive play. Running back Grey Nakfoor rushed for three touchdowns and even hurdled a defender on another run.

“This was about the Westlake Chaparrals and the Southlake Carroll Dragons, and a bunch of kids whose hearts are bigger than this stadium,” Todd Dodge said afterward.

Ewers went on to Ohio State for one season before transferring to Texas. Klubnik played one more year in high school before going to Clemson.

Now, they’re meeting again on Dec. 21 in Royal-Memorial Stadium to write another chapter in their growing rivalry.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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