Waxahachie grad helps Austin Westlake to 6A DII state football title

A 2008 Waxahachie graduate and former standout athlete stood with his team atop the Texas high school football world on Saturday.

Boomer Collins, a current Austin Westlake assistant coach, helped coach the Chaparrals to a victory in the 6A Division II state championship game Saturday night at AT&T Stadium.

Westlake defeated Denton Guyer, 24-0, in the state title bout. Per Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, the shutout marked the first in a state championship game since 2015 and first in the state’s highest classification since 1988.

The state title is also the first for Westlake since 1996 — a team led by future NFL Hall-of-Fame quarterback Drew Brees.

Collins is currently the quarterback coach at Westlake and was formerly an assistant at Red Oak High School in 2016 under then-head coach Brian Brown. He joined Ellis County Sports Sports on “The Press Box” this past Monday to talk about the Chaps, growing up as a coach’s son and his decision to join the coaching ranks.

Before he began a career in coaching, Collins was signed as an undrafted free agent outfielder by the Toronto Blue Jays following a stellar baseball career at the University of Nebraska and Dallas Baptist University. He also dabbled in professional cricket under the tutelage of legendary cricket coach Julien Fountain and was a member of the 2008 Waxahachie Indian baseball state finalist team.

Collins is pictured with Westlake quarterback Kirkland Michaux following Saturday’s win. Michaux, a senior, finished the game 20-of-31 for 285 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He was also named the Offensive MVP of the state title game.

____

Travis M. Smith, @Travis5mith

tsmith@kbec.com