All-Time Matchup Monday: 2000 Midland Lee vs. 1996 Westlake

Matchup DemoNew [poll id="30"] Editor's Note: Every Monday during the offseason, we'll bring you our new running series, All-Time Matchup Monday, where we'll pit two of the greatest teams in Texas high school football history against each other, throw a few theories around on who might come out on top, and then we'll ask you to settle the debate for us. You can also nominate all-time teams and games. Just tweet @dctf with the hashtag #MatchupMonday with your nominations. Why Westlake would win Drew Brees. The Chaparrals were quarterbacked by one of the all-time greats and that counts for something in any contest. Brees led a high-powered offensive attack back before Texas high school football was known for high-paced passing attacks. Westlake scored 659 points in 16 games en route to the 1996 Class 5A Division II championship. Westlake scored over 40 points 11 times and won every game by double-digits. Brees accounted for four touchdowns in the championship game against Abilene Cooper, but an opportunistic defense forced eight turnovers in the 55-15 victory. Brees, and fellow NFL alum Seth McKinney, get the press clippings from that team, but the defense was dominant. Opponents averaged 11.5 points a game against the 1996 Chaparrals. The combination of Brees, a strong offensive line and a stout defense makes Westlake a tough out for any team throughout the state's history. This team was ahead of the curve offensively, and Brees’ numbers would be even more insane in today’s brand of football. Why Midland Lee would win Cedric Benson could be the best Texas high school football player of all time. Midland Lee was the two-time defending state champion entering the 2000 season. Benson was a superstar. He capped off his career with 249 yards and five rushing touchdowns in the 33-21 title win over a very good Westlake team. Benson, who ended up playing at Texas and then for several years in the NFL, was a three-time MVP of the state championship games, rushing for a total of 15 touchdowns in three victories. Early in the year, it was clear the Rebels were looking ahead. That early-season lag, plus some injuries, resulted in two regular season losses. Midland Lee lost to West Monroe (La) and Odessa in the regular season. The experience clicked in the postseason and the Rebels never looked back. Following the loss to Odessa, Midland Lee outscored its next nine opponents 326-97, holding three opponents to shutouts and five of those final nine opponents to single digits. Midland Lee didn’t make a habit of losing big games for three seasons. That experience was on display in the championship game against Westlake. Midland Lee trailed at the half, but stuck with the game plan. Benson was an unstoppable force and would carry the Rebels in any big-game scenario. Craven's pick: Westlake The passing game of Brees and a solid defense would carry Westlake in this matchup. A less-talented Chaparral team led at halftime against the 2000 Rebels. The 1996 team would’ve scored too many points and limited Benson to only a few touchdowns. Max Thompson's pick: Midland Lee Cedric Benson was otherworldly in a way few Texas high school running backs have been, and my simple hunch is that grinding the clock out on the ground (despite a very good Chaps defense), while putting up points, would limit the opportunities for Brees and that Westlake offense. Greg Tepper's pick: Westlake The power of the Westlake defense, combined with the assault on offense led by Brees, would just be too much for Midland Lee to keep up. Fan vote: Will be announced next Monday.