Week 9 in Central Texas featured a battle of unbeaten teams in District 19-5A, as reigning state champion Cedar Park hosted the surprising Pflugerville Connally Cougars. Several games affected potential playoff berths, including another 19-5A tilt between Hutto and Rouse. Friday night extended leads for three schools that all but clinched district championships. In this week’s column, we’ll review the heavyweight showdown, take a look at who got a leg up in making the playoffs, and reveal what teams put their fingers on district crowns.
Big, Bad Timberwolves. The Cedar Park/Pflugerville Connally affair matched two undefeated teams with different resumes. The Cedar Park Timberwolves played in the state championship game two seasons in a row, while the Cougars entered the game with more wins this year than in the last two combined.
The Timberwolves put their paws down early and often, and left with an unquestionable victory. The “Black Rain” defense allowed the Cougars only 19 yards in the first half, and Cedar Park quarterback Mak Sexton threw four touchdown passes, providing Cedar Park with a convincing 35-0 halftime advantage.
The 49-0 final left Cedar Park looking set to make another special run in the state playoffs, and gave Connally a peek at what level they need achieve to seriously contend.
Posting the “Must-win.” Hutto and Rouse both experienced slow starts in district play, but climbed back into the race with recent victories. In a district that Cedar Park, Connally, and Georgetown clamped down playoff berths, the Hutto/Rouse tangle set two 3-2 records fighting over the last morsel. Rouse sported a halftime lead, but Hutto shut out Rouse in the second half, en route to a 42-32 road win. With Cedar Park looming next week, Hutto’s win avoided a scenario that likely would have ended their season.
The Vista Ridge Rangers clung to their playoff hopes with a thrilling 46-43 win over Hays, in another matchup of teams fighting for the last piece of playoff pie. The Rangers placed themselves one game ahead of Hays in district, and tied for the final playoff slot with Leander. Both teams still have to face Westlake, so Hays may still have a cracked window through which to climb.
Other teams that posted must-wins this week include the Stony Point Tigers, the Reagan Raiders, and the Del Valle Cardinals.
We are (likely) the Champions, my friends. Cedar Park, Lake Travis, and LBJ all won convincingly Friday night, and stood atop their district standings with no apparent obstacles ahead. Each team defeated their most serious challengers and have at least a one-game lead with only two games left on the schedule.
The Cedar Park defense has five shutouts to their credit. Lake Travis has outscored their last three opponents, 180-7. LBJ outscored district opponents 101-9 going into last night’s contest, a 57-12 victory over Austin High.
