Quinn Ewers vs. Cade Klubnik: The story behind these quarterbacks’ epic 2021 showdown has captivated football fans across the nation.
In January 2021, the Texas high school football scene witnessed a historic clash when Southlake Carroll faced off against Austin Westlake in the 6A state championship at AT&T Stadium, located just outside Dallas. This highly anticipated match was dubbed the “Dodge Bowl,” marking the first-ever father-son coaching matchup in Texas state championship history, with Riley Dodge leading Southlake against his father, Todd Dodge, the coach of Westlake.
The excitement surrounding the game was amplified by the presence of two outstanding junior quarterbacks: Quinn Ewers and Cade Klubnik. Ewers, the nation’s top recruit, had already committed to Ohio State, while Klubnik, ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in Texas, was still making his college decision. Their familiarity with each other, stemming from years of competition in 7-on-7 tournaments, added an intriguing layer to the matchup. Ultimately, Klubnik led Westlake to a 52-34 victory, and he would go on to secure three state titles from 2019 to 2021, with the last two as the starting quarterback.
Fast forward to Saturday, where Ewers and Klubnik are set to meet again in a highly anticipated rematch. This time, Ewers will lead the No. 5 seed Texas against Klubnik’s No. 12 seed Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
The stakes are undeniably higher this time around.
“It’s crazy,” Riley Dodge remarked to FOX Sports. “Both players are incredibly mature and understand that the focus should be on their teams facing off against each other’s defenses, rather than just the individual matchup.” He emphasized that while the media buzz is natural, both quarterbacks have their responsibilities to fulfill on the field.
For Ewers, this game presents an opportunity to solidify his legacy among Texas quarterbacks. Transferring from Ohio State before the 2022 season, he became the first No. 1 overall prospect to commit to the Longhorns since Vince Young in 2002. Under his leadership, Texas has reached consecutive conference championship games, winning the Big 12 last year and narrowly losing to Georgia in the SEC title this year, along with back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff.
Klubnik, on the other hand, enters the game with momentum after throwing four touchdown passes in Clemson’s ACC championship victory. He aims to build on that performance and guide the Tigers toward another national title.
Compounding the excitement, Klubnik will be returning to his hometown of Austin, where he will have a strong support system in the stands. Though he grew up favoring Texas A&M due to family ties, he has fond memories of playing high school playoff games at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The experience of running onto that field will undoubtedly evoke strong emotions for him.
“It will be interesting,” Klubnik shared about his emotions leading up to the game. “It’s special to play here, but I have a job to do. My friends on the other side want the same victory I do, so I must keep that in mind.” He acknowledged the importance of focusing on the task ahead.
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The last time these quarterbacks faced each other, the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited fan attendance at the 100,000-plus seat AT&T Stadium. “The place would have been packed otherwise,” Riley Dodge noted, reflecting on the missed opportunity for fans to witness this thrilling matchup.
Fans were eager to see Ewers and Klubnik, two of the nation’s most promising high school talents. Ewers, known for his distinctive bleached blond mullet, had already made headlines with his commitment to Ohio State, while Klubnik was emerging as a future five-star recruit.
Quinn Ewers passed for 351 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Cade Klubnik in the state title game.
Despite dealing with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder leading up to the game, Ewers showcased his determination. He had not thrown a single pass in practice that week, but he still managed to pass for 351 yards and three touchdowns during the championship match.
Klubnik, too, faced adversity. He had injured his shoulder in the semifinal but pushed through the pain, relying on visual reps during practice to prepare for the state title. “I just fought through it,” he recalled, emphasizing his commitment to his team.
Cade Klubnik didn’t even practice ahead of his state title showdown with Quinn Ewers, as he had been injured in the previous game. “By the time we got to Saturday, I got shot up and gritted it out,” he said.
Ewers’ injury struggles have continued throughout his career at Texas, including a double hernia surgery that sidelined him for a portion of the season. He returned just in time for the playoffs, where he faced more challenges but still demonstrated remarkable resilience.
“What I learned about him was his mental and physical toughness,” Riley Dodge commented. “He is truly a gamer.”
In that championship game, Westlake held a narrow lead of 28-21 at halftime, but the momentum shifted when Michael Taaffe, now a starting safety at Texas, intercepted Ewers in the third quarter, ultimately earning Defensive MVP honors.
Taaffe, who transformed from a walk-on to a key player in the Longhorns’ defense, humorously recalled giving Ewers a hard time about those interceptions since they became teammates.
“You’ve got to, right?” Taaffe chuckled. “It felt pretty good that just a walk-on is picking off the No. 1 player in the country.”
Taaffe and Klubnik’s friendship dates back to third grade, with shared memories of practicing together during the COVID season. The excitement of the upcoming matchup was palpable as they exchanged texts after the final CFP bracket was released.
“It was all love,” Taaffe said. “It feels a little weird watching Cade on tape knowing he was my QB, and now I’m playing against him. It’s going to be so fun.”
Taaffe acknowledged that while he knows Klubnik’s tendencies, the reverse is also true. “Cade will do whatever it takes to win,” he pointed out, emphasizing his friend’s competitive nature.
“I don’t expect Cade to shy away from any challenges on Saturday,” Taaffe added. “He’ll likely go right at me if he gets the chance.”
“It’s definitely good to have them on our side,” Ewers remarked, reflecting on their high school rivalry.
As Klubnik reminisces about their 2020 showdown, he recalls the intense atmosphere and anticipation that surrounded the game. He looks forward to reconnecting with former teammates and facing Ewers once more. Their bond has strengthened over the years through shared experiences, including competing in the Elite 11 in 2021 and attending the Manning Passing Academy this past summer. Both quarterbacks have faced formidable opponents like Georgia, as both Texas and Clemson suffered defeats against the Bulldogs this season.
Ewers views this rematch as a “full circle” moment, while Klubnik is excited to reconnect with him on the field.
“They have a tremendous amount of respect for each other,” Riley Dodge concluded.
