New Blood taking on Blue Blood Part 2 For the Vipers
History will be made (or at least kept a possibility) for both teams in the Alamodome at 1PM on Saturday in the 6A D2 Semi-Final matchup between the Austin Vandegrift Vipers (13-1) and the Katy Tigers (14-0). Vandegrift, in just their 13th Season of football is looking for their first trip to Jerry World and the State Championship Game. Katy, winner of 9 State Championships in their storied history, is looking to add title number 10 to their trophy case with their first trip back to AT&T Stadium since winning the 6A D2 Championship in 2020. Katy is 15-4 in State Semi-Final Games, Vandegrift is 0-1, with their only other appearance coming in 2014 while in 5A.
Contrasting Offenses, Katy’s Ground and Pound Running Game and Vandegrift’s Up-Tempo Quick-Strike Passing Attack, along with a pair of the top Defenses in all of Texas High School Football should provide for a game worthy of this round of the playoffs.
Vandegrift Vipers
Offense
Vandegrift is averaging 354.5 YDs/Game (216.1 Passing, 138.4 Rushing) and scoring 38 Points/Game on the season.
SR QB Brayden Buchanan (2839 YDs, 27 TD, 5 INT Passing, 236 YDs, 8TD Rushing) is a Dual Threat QB who will take off running with the ball and he is not prone to slide or head out of bounds very often. There isn’t a throw or distance downfield that he will shy away from. If the Offensive Line can provide him with time to work through his progressions, the Katy Secondary could be in for a long day.
Vandegrift utilizes multiple receivers and finds a way to keep the ball evenly distributed among them. The Receiving Corp is made up of JR Miles Coleman (1420 YDs, 12TD), SR Ray’Jean Middleton (498 YDs, 10TD) and SR Beck Ormond (427 YDs, 1TD). Tight Ends JR Jase Skoglund (334 YDs, 4TD) and SR Charlie Oliver (42 YDS) provide blocking help and have good hands as receiving options. During the playoffs opposing Defenses have focused on shutting Coleman down, with double teams on most plays, but the Vipers have shifted to their other outlets, completing passes to seven different receivers last week against Dripping Springs.
The strength of the Viper Offense is their Line, led by Seniors T Ian Reed (6’6”,315), G Ryan Jeffries (6’5”,275), and Juniors T Blake Frazier (6’6”,260), G Sam Perry (6’3”,285), C Gage Garrison (6’4”,280) that provide protection for Buchanan and open holes for SR RB Alex Witt (1064 YDs, 18TD; will also lead Wildcat Offense). In the past two Playoff Games Witt is averaging 145 YDs/Game and has scored 6 TDs after averaging just 55 Yds/Game during the regular season, with the Offensive Line giving up an average of 1 sack/game on the season.
Other Players to Watch:
- SR WR Grant Lindley – 12 Catches, 128 YDs, 2 TD
- SR RB Zaid Oliver – 32 Carries, 199 YDs, 6TD
- Reece Trevino 68 Carries, 334 YDs, 3TD
Defense
The Viper Defense is allowing 10.5 Points/Game, with their opponents averaging 229.3 YDs/Game (120.5 Passing, 108.8 Rushing). On the Season they have 15 Interceptions, 12 Fumble Recoveries, along with 54 Sacks and 98 Tackles for Loss. As a team they have a Turnover Margin of +21.
How the Vipers front six matches up against the Katy Offensive Line will go a long way in determining the outcome of this one. Led up front by SR DE Daemian Wimberly (72T,14TFL,13S,1FmbRec), SR DE Oliver Yndo (59T,12TFL,8S,1FmbRec) and SO DT Ian Witt (33T, 10TFL, 4S, 1FmbRec). The LB Corp is made up of Juniors Ben Booher (99T,8TFL,9S) and Blaine Becker (96T,7TFL,1INT), along with SR Cruz Orta (84T,4TFL,3S,1FmbRec). Vandegrift will need to find a way to balance stacking the line and keeping second level contain to avoid the long runs that the Tigers had against C.E. King last week. Vandegrift has only allowed two teams on the season (Manor and Dripping Springs last week) to rush for more than 200 yards in a game.
The Vandegrift Secondary has given up just eight passing Touchdowns on the Season (3 of which came in their two games against Dripping Springs). Will be a challenge for Koger, and the Katy Receiving Corp, should they need to pass the ball beyond their average of 12 Passing Attempts/Game. Led by JR Alex Foster (169T,9TFL,5S,1INT,2FmbRec), and Seniors Davis Scott (65T,7TFL,1S,1INT,2FmbRec), Andrew Scott (66T,4TFL,3INT), Connor Freeman (26T,4TFL,3INT) Isiah Thompson (50T,4TFL,3INT) and Hudson Lillie (35T,1TFL,1S,1INT,1FmbRec), this unit will also be utilized to provide run support to keep Davis and Glass contained for short gains.
Other Players to Watch:
- SR MD Connor – 21 T, 1TFL, 1 Sack, 1 INT
- SR DL Austin Spieles – 18T, 2TFL, 2 Sacks
- JR DL Cruz Carrasquillo – 15T, 6TFL, 3 Sacks, 1 FmbRec
- SR DB Braden Holter – 11T, 1TFL
- JR DL Ethan Wood – 13T, 1TFL, 2 Sacks
Special Teams
Vandegrift SR Hayden Arnold takes care of Kickoffs (37 TB) and Extra Points/Field Goals (64/67 PAT, 10/12 FG, Longest 50 YDs). SR Hudson Lillie is the Punter (37.6 YD/Avg, 7 inside the 20). His 50-yard Field Goal to end the 1st Half against Dripping Springs set a new Vandegrift School Record.
Both Coleman and Middleton are solid returners for Kickoffs and Punts for the Vipers. Carter for Katy will more than likely boom kickoffs into the End Zone to nullify the Viper return game. Punt returns will be exciting to watch depending on how the Tigers manage this phase of the game. Vandegrift has benefited from good returns to setup short fields all season long.
The Vipers have not allowed any kickoff or punt returns for touchdowns on the season.
Katy Tigers
Offense
The Tigers are averaging 451.9 YDs/Game (111.5 Passing, 340.4 Rushing) and scoring 49.9 Points/Game on the season.
Katy has always been known for their power running game, and this year’s team is no different. A pair of Senior Running Backs, Seth Davis (1858 YDs,29TD) and Dallas Glass (1256 Yds,21TD) pace a rushing onslaught that has topped 300+ yards/game in 10 of 14 contests on the season. In last week’s Region III Final against Houston C.E. King, Davis ran for Touchdowns of 69 and 42 yards on his first two carries of the game, finishing with 241 Yards and 6 Touchdowns in the game.
The Tigers employ a sizable Offensive Line made up of JR T Coen Echols (6’2”,280), SR G Jason Clarks (6’2,300), SR C Jacob Egg (6’1”,280), SR G Isaiah Ybarra (6’2”,275) and SR T Preston Wingate (6’1”,210). The Tigers also have a pair of Tight Ends, JR Luke Carter (64 YDS, 4TD) and JR Colton Sanders (9 YDs, 1TD), for additional blocking support, but will also catch the ball when needed. The matchup with this unit and the Vandegrift Defensive front will be a game within the game.
3-Year Starter, SR Caleb Koger (1287 YDS, 18TD, 4INT Passing, 80 YDS, 5TD Rushing) manages the Katy Offense and takes most snaps from under center. The majority of his passes will utilize play action or come via rollout to catch opponents off guard looking to contain the Katy Running Backs. The Tiger Receivers are made up of SR Adam Jackson (305 YDS,3TD), SR Micah Koenig (274 YDS, 5TD), JR Oliver Ginn (243 YDS, 1TD), along with JR FB Chase Johnsey (173 YDS, 2TD Receiving, 223 YDS, 3TD Rushing). Koger has a good arm, and although most of his completions are within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, he can launch the ball downfield when it’s needed to loosen up opposing Defenses.
Other Players to Watch:
- JR Ramarian Tillman – 45 Carries, 301 YDs, 3TD Rushing, 162 YDS, 1TD Receiving
- JR Jared Kelly – 39 Carries, 233 YDS, 2TD
- SR JR Ceyanes – 6 Receptions, 108 YDs, 1TD
Defense
The Tiger’s Defense is allowing 14.1 Points/Game, with opponents averaging 258.5 Yds/Game (193 Passing, 65.5 Rushing). On the Season, the Katy Turnover Margin is +17, with 12 Interceptions.
(Katy does not record Defensive Stats in MaxPreps, so none will be listed for their Defensive Players. Defensive Stats that are included are from my own film review and other sources I have researched)
The Tiger Defensive Line employs a 3 man front like Vandegrift. Seniors Broderick Johnson (6’2,225) and Easton Schultz (6’2,225) man the ends with JR Tyler Willis (6’235) in the middle. The Katy LB Corp starts Seniors Blake Geiman (5’11,205) and Damian Neveaux (5’10,185) along with Juniors Connor Johnsey (5’10,205) and Gavin Johnson (5’9,150). The Katy front six have stifled opponent running games all season, allowing just 65.5 Rushing YDS/Game, and just one team was able to gain more than 100 yards (Morton Ranch, 233). They have to keep Witt from reaching the second level where he can utilize his jump cut to break into the open field for long gains as he has done in the past two weeks against Harlan and Dripping Springs.
The Katy Secondary is a solid unit that will look to lock down Coleman and not let the Vandegrift passing attack get warmed up. On the Corners the Tigers start SR Micah Sweats (5’11,160) and JR Gavin Johnson (5’9,150). On the back end, SR Arian Parish (5’11,165), SR Jonathan Hall (6’2,205) and JR Jed Olotu-Judah will be pushed by the Vipers speedy receivers on long downfield throws all game long. This unit will be looking to put last weeks performance by King QB Johnson behind them and reset the mechanism for this week’s matchup. With 12 interceptions by the Tigers on the season, Buchanan will need to put the ball on target to avoid adding to this total.
Other Players to Watch:
- Jr Dallas Patrick Alo-Suliafu – 6’2, 215
- JR Stephan Ochai – 6’3, 285
- JR Skyler Nguyen – 5’7, 150
- JR Chisolm Hill – 6’2, 200
Special Teams
SO Adam Carter handles Kickoffs for the Tigers. No Kickoff Stats on MaxPreps, but from the game film I have viewed, he has a great leg, and most kickoffs end up in or through the End Zone. He has pushed a few out of pounds on short pop-ups, so that could be a factor to watch.
JR Hunter Ondrush handles Extra Points (87/89 PAT, 3/3 FG, Longest of 38 Yds). Solid, as you would expect from a Tiger team.
Glass and Koenig are capable returners, with Koenig running a Kickoff back for a touchdown earlier in the Season. As with the Vandegrift returners, this should be an interesting matchup on Special Teams in a game that both teams will be looking for any edge they can find.
Keys to the Game
For the Tigers
1. Get to Buchanan. The Tigers Defensive front must get penetration to disrupt the Viper QB and not allow him time to work through his progressions. C.E. King QB Denim Johnson threw for 472 yards against Katy in Region III final, but most of his throws were quick outs or with him rolling out of the pocket away from the Tigers rush. Buchanan tends to stay in the pocket and will look to use his rushing ability if pressured while looking for the long throw downfield.
2. Play Katy Tiger Offense. Long, run controlled drives are the best way to keep the Vandegrift Offense on the sideline and out of the End Zone. Just as Dripping Springs did against the Vipers in the Region IV final, utilize 10+ play drives to chew up yards, run the clock and limit the scoring opportunities for Vandegrift.
3. Limit the Vandegrift Special Teams units. Both S.A. Harlan and Dripping Springs chose to kick the ball to the Vipers playmakers, Coleman and Middleton, and both saw how that can affect the game. Vipers were set up with short fields on multiple series in both games that allowed their quick-strike Offense to move even faster towards the End Zone. Arnold showed last week he can hit from 50, and indoors he should be comfortable from 45+ if the Vipers drives are stifled in Tiger territory.
4. Shut down the Vandegrift Trick Plays. The Vipers have shown their creativity, especially in their playoff runs over the past two seasons, to throw something unconventional at opposing Defenses. Last year a Buchanan lateral to Beauchamp followed by a long pass to Buchanan downfield early in the game rattled the Cibolo Steele Defense in what turned into at 38-0 romp. Last week, the Vipers again utilized the lateral from Lillie to Buchanan, and the decoy of Coleman and Middleton streaking downfield, for the throw back across the field to Lillie who had blocking lined up for a long gain that setup the second Viper Touchdown. Katy knows it’s coming, but will they recognize and shut it down when it happens.
For the Vipers
1. Obvious choice here, Vandegrift must slow the Katy running attack. Much easier said than done. Vipers have gone up against comparable backs this season, but Katy Offensive line is the difference maker here. How the Vipers Defense changes things up to try and slow down Davis and Glass to limit their yards after contact will be focal point.
2. Sustain Offensive Drives. The Vandegrift Offense has almost been too quick to score over the past three weeks, with scoring drives of 4,1,4,5,12 plays (Judson); 4,5,2,3,6,4 plays (Harlan) and 2,5,8,4,6 plays (Dripping Springs) with their up-tempo Offense. This could help the Vipers to shrink the game and keep their Defense fresh.
3. Play the player not the jersey. Focus on the players in front of them, not the ghosts of Tiger teams of the past. Like other historically good teams in Texas High School Football, the Tigers carry with them a well-earned mystique that can beat most teams psychologically just walking out of the locker room. Vandegrift has a chance to step out of the shadows of Central Texas onto the big stage with a statement game and a trip to Arlington on the line.
4. Avoid the letdown from the win over Dripping Springs. Coming off their last-minute Goal-Line stand against the Tigers; the Vipers must regroup and recharge for a physical 48-minute matchup with these Tigers. All too often we see teams fall flat after getting up to overtake a rival, will this game be one of those? This Vandegrift team has talked all season about wanting to cement their Legacy among the Viper teams of the past. They have their chance on Saturday, but will they have enough left in the tank to overcome Katy.
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