If you’re going to be the best, you’ll have to beat the best. At least, that’s the attitude of Austin Vandegrift.
Currently, the Vipers are 1-4, but that record is more than a little misleading. Their preseason schedule was daunting, and featured Odessa Permian, who is currently 4-1, Cedar Park, whom everyone has in the top slot in their 5A rankings, and Killeen, the only below average team on the radar. The Vipers lost by one point to Permian, were shut out by Cedar Park (but only allowed 13 points), and beat Killeen soundly. Coming out of their pre-district scheduling 1-2 was not ideal for Vandegrift, but considering the circumstances, it’s certainly understandable.
When the Vipers got done with their pre-district gauntlet, they had the 4-1 Harker Heights Knights waiting. The Vipers lost by one point. Next up they had Austin Westlake. They lost to the Chaparrals by a mere touchdown. Once again, disappointing, but understandable. The rest of their district schedule appears manageable, but a trip to play Lake Travis at the end of the year still looms.
If the Vipers are going to shock people, they’re going to have to do two things: learn how to win close games and score a few more points. The Vandegrift defense is more than stout, they’ve held their opponents to well below their averages, and three teams they’ve played scored season lows against them. If their offense can catch up with their defense, they’d be talked about as one of the best teams in the state.
Vandegrift has also lost by a mere point twice. They lost by a touchdown once, and 13 points in the biggest loss they’ve had so far. The Vipers are close, so very close, and if they can just squeeze out a couple more points in crunch time, they’re there.
There’s a chance Vandegrift could make the playoffs with an abysmal record and still shock someone. They could potentially run the table and enter the playoffs at 6-4, upsetting Lake Travis in the process. Regardless, don’t sleep on Vandegrift, even if they make the playoffs with a .500 or a losing record. They’re good. They just need a couple more points in order to prove it.
Article failed to mention that Sam Ehlinger for Westlake did not play & that was reason for close game.