Judson Crockett takes 45-game starting streak into state semifinals as Westlake's ironman

When it comes to a combination of durability, intelligence and talent in big-class Texas high school football, Westlake safety Judson Crockett is near the top of the list.

As the Chaparrals enter Saturday’s Class 6A Division I state semifinal vs. Galena Park North Shore, Crockett will take his usual spot in the defensive backfield and on special teams, as he has for the past three seasons.

It will be the 46th straight game Crockett has started for Westlake, which is a tribute not only to the success the Chaps have had the past three years with a state title and two more deep playoff runs, but also to the senior's ability to become a starter in Week 1 his sophomore year and stay healthy.

However, Westlake coach Tony Salazar said that Crockett’s intellect and being a student of football in general has helped make him the Chaps’ ironman.

“What makes him a special player is he just has a knack for the game and his preparedness,” said Salazar, who is in his second year leading the Chaps. “He’s the most prepared kid we have on defense every single week. And that’s something to say, obviously, when we have some really good players on this team and the last two teams. He understands the preparation that goes into being successful and understands everybody’s job on the field.”

Nothing blocking Crockett, but Crockett's blocking a lot

While the preparation has led him to be a bit of a field general on defense, it’s also led him to become Westlake’s career and single-season leader in blocked punts.

Over the past three years he has blocked five punts, none more important than the two he had against Dripping Springs this season that helped the Chaps rally from a halftime deficit for a 27-14 win.

“He knows how to find a way to get a punt block without getting a penalty, and that’s a special trait in football that not everybody has,” Salazar said. “He’s been able to do that his whole career. He finds a way to impact a game and not just on defense, and that’s the sign of a good player.”

Judson Crockett is ready to take off. Literally.

Crockett has an interesting personal story.

He was born in China while his dad worked overseas, and though he was only there for a year, he’s taken classes to learn the language and speaks a fair amount of Chinese. Studying a foreign language has helped him absorb Westlake’s complex defensive playbook and decipher opposing offenses, too, he said.

“The more languages you know, the more information you can take in, so, yeah, that has helped,” said Crockett, who earned second-team academic all-state honors this week.

After his time at Westlake, Crockett will attend Air Force to play for the Falcons while becoming a pilot.

Like being alone as a safety in the defensive backfield, flying is something that appeals to Crockett.

“The freedom you get of being up there with no one else there and getting a different perspective is what I like,” he said.

The decision to pursue being a pilot is something that didn’t surprise Salazar, as it’s reflective of another quality Crockett brings to the Chaps.

“He’s fearless,” Salazar said. “The way he flies around and the way he attacks punt blocks — those are fearless characteristics that he exudes, and it rubs off on a lot of other players.”

Wanting a state title as he leaves Westlake

As to his own talent and playing streak, Crockett said he doesn’t worry about those things but is more motivated by his teammates and trying to win another state championship.

“As a defense, we take pride in every single down, no matter what the quarter, situation or who we’re playing,” he said. “In this program, playing well is really just being coachable. And once you understand what these coaches are trying to tell you, it’s up to you to put your head down and go to work.”

When the game kicks off Saturday and Westlake tries to avenge the only loss it's had since 2019 from last year's semfinal, Salazar knows that Crockett is as dependable as any player in the state.

“When things are chaotic, he’s the one that’s always calm, collected and has an answer,” Salazar said. “You have to have that consistency and that kind of stoic nature on your team, and he does that for us on defense.”

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Westlake football's Judson Crockett leads Chaparrals into semifinals