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District 25-6A 2025 Season Preview

Austin Roof Inspection


District 25-6A is the home of the defending 6A Division II State Champion. Vandegrift knocked off Southlake Carroll in that title game a year ago.

There are some new faces with three of the nine schools having new head coaches. Each of those three schools will be looking for improvement this year after missing the playoffs last season.

Here’s what to watch for in District 25-6A.

Austin Vandegrift Vipers

Head Coach: Drew Sanders (16th season; 146-46 record)

Last Season: 15-1; 8-0 (Beat Southlake Carroll in 6A Division II State Title Game)

Returning Lettermen: 30 (7 returning starters on offense; 4 on defense)

Vandegrift Key Players and Storylines

After making it to the state title game in 2022 and coming up short to DeSoto, Vandegrift finally got its championship a year ago.

The Vipers knocked off Southlake Carroll 24-17 in the 2024 6A Division II State Title Game.

Kansas State commit quarterback Miles Teodecki (3,251 passing yards and 48 TDs), the MVP of that title game, is back to lead the Vipers again this season. He’ll be well-protected by a “big, physical, experienced offensive line.” Tackles Parker Cecil and Carter Mannon will be entrusted with keeping opposing defensive ends at bay.

The Vipers do have to replace a two-year starter at running back, but Teodecki will be able to lean on receiver Brock Chilton (904 receiving yards and 12 TDs), an “explosive playmaker” and a first team all-district selection last year.

Defensively, Vandegrift will be breaking in a brand new secondary. The front seven though will have plenty of venom.

Linebacker CJ Mooring (77 tackles, four INTs) has a “nose for the ball and creates turnovers.” Opposing offensive lines will have their hands full with fellow linebacker Parker Davis (66 tackles, nine TFLs) and defensive end Hugo De La Vara Vazquez (57 tackles, 14 TFLs). Both have a gift when it comes to getting after the quarterback.

With Teodecki’s leadership on offense and the returning playmakers in the front seven on defense, Vandegrift has high hopes for 2025. The Vipers have had at least a share of the district title the past seven years. They’ll look to extend that streak and make another deep playoff run this fall.

Cedar Park Vista Ridge Rangers

Head Coach: Chad Scott (5th season; 22-20 record)

Last Season: 6-5; 5-3 in district (Lost to Westlake in area round)

Vista Ridge Key Players and Storylines

Vista Ridge has now made the playoffs in back-to-back years. The Rangers should be able to get after it through the air this fall with dual threat quarterback Kaden Arnot (1,880 passing yards and 19 touchdowns). Seniors Ben Reed (355 receiving yards and three touchdowns) and Deshaun Castillo (327 receiving yards and four touchdowns) were his top two receivers last year, so there’s no shortage of chemistry.

Seniors Bennett Eivens and Ethan Shenk will provide leadership in the trenches. Both were all-district honorees in 2024.

On the other side of the ball, the Rangers will be tough to run on. Defensive tackles Nate Cochren (33 tackles, six TFLs) and Damonte Davis can plug up running lanes. Linebackers Amare Jordan (55 tackles, six TFLs) and Wyatt Porowski (42 tackles, eight TFLs) are also threats to find their way into opposing backfields.

The Rangers had a number of juniors as key contributors in 2024. With another year of experience under their belt, this group will be gunning for a third-straight playoff berth, a feat Vista Ridge has only achieved once in its history.

Cedar Ridge Raiders

Head Coach: Bryan Vardeman (1st season)

Last Season: 3-7; 3-5 in district

Returning Lettermen: 13 (7 returning starters on offense; 4 on defense)

Cedar Ridge Key Players and Storylines

Bryan Vardeman is trading DFW for Austin. He had been Flower Mound’s defensive coordinator since 2016, but he now takes over at Cedar Ridge following Sam Robinson’s retirement.

The Raiders will be ready to run this year with Noah Devonish (884 rushing yards) spearheading the backfield. He’ll have 6’4″, 280-pound Kameron Asbra leading the way for him up front on the offensive line.

Jake McGill (246 receiving yards and two touchdowns) will be a reliable target for whoever settles in as Cedar Ridge’s new starting quarterback.

Defensively, Vardeman has to be excited with the talent he has to work with, especially in the front seven. UTEP commit linebacker Jalen Hamilton and junior linebacker Powers Wallis are two playmakers in the middle of the field.

Defensive tackles Ben Sears and Jeremiah Passmore will give opposing offensive lines a tough time getting much of a push.

As Vardeman has settled into Cedar Ridge, he has liked what he’s seen. He said he feels optimistic about the Raiders heading into this fall as they search for their first playoff berth in three years.

Hutto Hippos

Head Coach: Eli Reinhart (1st season)

Last Season: 4-6; 3-5 in district

Returning Lettermen: 32 (6 returning starters on offense; 7 on defense)

Hutto Key Players and Storylines

Hutto hired one of the brightest offensive minds in the entire state this offseason, bringing in Eli Reinhart from North Crowley. Reinhart helped lead North Crowley to its first state title in 21 years last season as its offensive coordinator.

He’ll now look to lead the Hippos back to the playoffs after they missed out a year ago.

Returning quarterback Kaden Stefek (2,061 passing yards and 21 TDs) has plenty of skill talent to work with again this year. Running back Keilan Chavies (789 rushing yards and seven TDs) will be Hutto’s workhorse. He has “game-changing ability.” Receiver Jaiden Fields (832 receiving yards and 10 TDs) is “a true difference maker” in the passing attack.

Offensive lineman Jayden Mack is very tough to get around. He’s got great size and power at 6’4″ and 320 pounds.

Defensively, Safety Carlos Sorto (65 tackles) will be the quarterback of the defense with the way he “gets everyone aligned.” Fellow safety Hunter Frenette (36 tackles) is a versatile player, who is “always in the right spot.”

Up front, Malcolm Wheeler (23 tackles, five TFLs) has some wheels from his defensive end position. He’s just as adept as stopping the run as he is at getting after opposing quarterbacks. Outside linebacker Briggs Bujnoch (67 tackles, 11 TFLs) is another playmaker coming off the edge.

Two district losses by a touchdown apiece is all that kept the Hippos out of the postseason a year ago. Look for Reinhart and his staff to make an impact with the offensive skill talent they have as Hutto looks to flip the script and make it back to the playoffs in 2025.

Manor Mustangs

Head Coach: James Keller (6th season; 24-27 record)

Last Season: 2-8; 2-6 in district

Returning Lettermen: 21 (4 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)

Manor Key Players and Storylines

Manor comes into this season with a chip on its shoulder after a 2-8 campaign in 2024.

The Mustangs will hope to get the offensive galloping again this fall with senior quarterback Cam Huff and senior running back Xavier Hill back to lead the backfield.

Offensive lineman James Romero is Manor’s top sophomore. He started as a freshman last season and can play tackle or guard.

Defensively, Israel Lawrence is a returning two-time all-district safety. Cornerback Paul Adams could be next in line as the leader of the Mustang secondary after starting as a sophomore last fall. Senior JP Parker will be a player the Mustangs turn to at linebacker.

The Manor coaching staff said that although this year’s team does lack some experience, they are a really tight-knit group. That should help the Mustangs “play together” as they aim to “take the next step toward getting back to prominence.”

Round Rock Dragons

Head Coach: Cody Moore (3rd season; 12-10 record)

Last Season: 8-3; 6-2 in district (Lost to Lake Travis in bi-district)

Round Rock Key Players and Storylines

The Dragons made strides in Cody Moore’s second year in charge, improving by four wins.

Just like Dragons, Round Rock should be able to fly this season with the dynamic duo of senior quarterback Jack Appl (1,439 passing yards and 14 touchdowns) and junior receiver Dylan Jaeger (456 receiving yards).

They will need some protection up front to help them operate. Three all-district or honorable mention offensive linemen graduated, although junior left tackle Mark Moreno returns. He’s got great size at 6’5″ and 300 pounds.

Defensively, the Dragons must replace their top nine tacklers from last season. They’ll be at their strongest in the trenches with defensive tackle Luke Rodriguez and fellow defensive lineman Max Williams.

Round Rock has had to deal with a ton of roster turnover this offseason. But for a program that has made the playoffs the past five years, that will be the minimum expectation again this season.

Round Rock McNeil Mustangs

Head Coach: Scott Hermes (6th season; 17-35 record)

Last Season: 5-6; 5-3 in district (Lost to Dripping Springs in bi-district)

Returning Lettermen: 23 (7 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)

McNeil Key Players and Storylines

After going 19 years without a playoff berth, McNeil has now made it to the postseason in back-to-back seasons.

This year’s team has the experience to make it three in a row. Head coach Scott Hermes said there will be multiple three-years starters, including quarterback Jadon Sultz (1,553 passing yards and 17 TDs).

He will have a whole host of weapons at his disposal. Jarrell Gary (573 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) is a dynamic athlete, who will primarily play receiver but also played some quarterback and running back last year.

Zach Christie (607 receiving yards and three touchdowns) led the Mustangs in receiving yards in 2024, while Aden Taylor (430 receiving yards and 180 rushing yards) is a versatile speedster. He’ll play receiver and running back offensively and some safety on defense too.

A solid linebacking corps will anchor the defense. Marshall Holland (81 tackles, eight TFLs) is the team’s leading returning tackler, while Mike Jones (66 tackles, 12 TFLs) was a constant playmaker at and behind the line of scrimmage.

The trenches are where McNeil lacks some depth. However, the Mustangs do have Jacorian Holland (43 tackles, four TFLs) to lead the pass rush.

McNeil hasn’t made the playoffs three-straight times since 1999-2001. Hermes and his squad have their eyes set on finishing back above .500 this year as they seek to re-write school history.

Round Rock Stony Point Tigers

Head Coach: Craig Chessher (22nd season; 121-107 record)

Last Season: 3-7; 2-6 in district

Returning Lettermen: 23 (5 returning starters on offense; 4 on defense)

Stony Point Key Players and Storylines

Stony Point is focusing on “controlling what it can control” in 2025 as the Tigers look to make inroads on snapping their now six-year playoff drought.

They’ll expect the passing attack to move the ball with dual threat quarterback Kalbus Kinnick (666 passing yards and nine touchdowns) and receiver Trystin Rimes (612 receiving yards and six touchdowns) both returning.

The offensive line should also be a strength especially with 6’3″ tackle Terrance Lackey. He’ll lead the charge in both pass protection and in creating holes for the rushing attack.

It’s not just the offense where Stony Point should be able to enforce its will in the trenches. Opposing running backs will have to navigate defensive tackles TJ Daniels (42 tackles) and Xavier Bellow.

Behind them, linebacker Joaquin Mendez (134 tackles) will be all over the field for the Tigers along with fellow linebacker Daniel Sawyer (50 tackles).

Last year, four of Stony Point’s six district losses were by seven points or less. With such small margins deciding the outcome of last season, the Tigers will be putting an emphasis on the little details this fall and trusting “the big things will take care of themselves.”

Round Rock Westwood Warriors

Head Coach: Derek Ward (1st season)

Last Season: 2-8; 2-6 in district

Returning Lettermen: 22 (8 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)

Westwood Key Players and Storylines

For the first time in 20 years, the Warriors head into a season with a new head coach. Anthony Wood retired after 90 career wins leading Westwood. Now, Katy Freeman defensive coordinator Derek Ward is tasked with leading the charge for the Warriors. It is his first football head coaching job.

He’s got plenty of experience to work with as 14 starters from last year return.

Quarterback Cooper Watts (1,344 passing yards and ten touchdowns) started as a sophomore in 2024. Drew Norrell (1,007 receiving yards) had over half of Westwood’s receiving yards last year and is a threat on special teams as a punt returner too.

6’3″ left tackle Blaine Mitchell is exactly who Watts would want as his blindside protector after Mitchell earned first team all-district honors last year.

Ward said a big senior class will boost the Warriors this year. The defense exemplifies that. Linebacker Cam Greene (68 tackles) will lead that side of the ball with nose guard Jacob Brown (22 tackles), “a force in the middle,” closing running lanes in front of him.

Safety Josh Hanson (50 tackles) is heading into his third year starting in the secondary.

Westwood’s depth is a bit of a concern, but this group wants to taste the playoffs for the first time in their high school careers. With so much experience on the roster, Ward expects his guys to be in that playoff conversation by the time November rolls around.


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