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District 25-6A Season Preview

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From top-to-bottom, 25-6A is stacked. The addition of Hutto means five of these nine squads made the playoffs last season, while eight of the nine teams won at least four games.

There will no off weeks in this district.

Here are the players and storylines to watch for each of the teams.

Austin Vandegrift Vipers

Head Coach: Drew Sanders (15th season; 131-45 record)

Last Season: 10-1; 7-0 in district (Lost to Lake Travis in bi-district)

Vandegrift Key Players and Storylines

The Vipers have established themselves as players on the state stage in recent years. However, last year, they received a brutal bi-district draw, falling to Lake Travis in a 13-10 nailbiter.

This year, Vandegrift will be doing some reloading with just three starters back on offense and five on defense.

Last year’s starting quarterback Deuce Adams graduated and Vandegrift will also be young up front, so more responsibility will fall on the Vipers’ skill guys this year. Running back Brendan Fournier (665 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns) is a powerful runner with great vision.

Out at receiver, George Farley (101 receiving yards) is a playmaker with good size at 6’2″, while Brock Chilton (293 receiving yards and two touchdowns) has a “great ability to track the ball.” Both will need to take on bigger roles this year after three of Vandegrift’s top four receivers graduated.

On the other side of the ball, the Viper coaching staff is excited about the talent they have in the front seven. Defensive end Daeshon Morgan (34 tackles, 15 TFLs) is a Division I talent, who brings “size, strength, and leadership.” He’ll pair well with defensive tackle Ian Witt (29 tackles, seven TFLs), a three-year starter, who always finds ways to make plays.

At linebacker, Adam Scott (28 tackles, six TFLs) is the “quarterback of the defense,” while fellow linebacker Scott Buchanan has a great motor.

In the secondary, Aidan Jones (28 tackles, two INTs) was an all-state selection at corner, while Hollister Stephens (44 tackles, four TFLs) will play the dime. He’s a “big hitter” who has a nose for the football.

Six-straight double-digit win seasons shows this Vandegrift program isn’t going anywhere. The Vipers expect to win another district championship this season, practice on Thanksgiving, and push for another state title appearance after their early playoff exit a year ago.

Hutto Hippos

Head Coach: Will Compton (3rd season; 9-12 record)

Last Season: 4-7; 3-3 in district (Lost to Duncanville in bi-district)

Hutto Key Players and Storylines

The Hippos are back with the Austin-area schools in this realignment after spending two years playing with the Central Texas schools in Region II. They’ll also be embarking on the post-Will Hammond era following his graduation. The now Texas Tech quarterback accounted for over 5,000 yards a year ago.

Four starters are back on each side of the ball for the Hippos this year.

Offensively, it’ll start with junior Keilan Chavies, an “all-purpose running back,” who can make plays in a variety of ways. He was the Hippos’ second leading rusher (520 yards and four touchdowns) and receiver (638 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) in 2023. At receiver, Braeton Anderson (413 receiving yards and two touchdowns) is an “excellent route runner.” Head coach Will Compton believes he is due for a breakout year.

Senior Greyson Armstrong will be Hutto’s anchor on the offensive line. His leadership will be key because the Hippos have several players to replace in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Defensively, linebacker will be a strength with Brayden Daniel‘s football IQ (87 tackles, 14 TFLs), and the size and speed of Cashton LaPlante. LaPlante is moving to linebacker from safety this year.

Behind them, Compton said Carlos Sorto (44 tackles) is Hutto’s player to watch in the secondary. He’s coming off a strong sophomore season.

With Compton entering his third season, his players have a strong understanding of the Hippos’ system and what is expected from them. Compton hopes that continuity combined with Hutto’s fast and physical style of play will help the Hippos push for a top spot in district this year.

Manor Mustangs

Head Coach: James Keller (5th season; 22-19 record)

Last Season: 4-6; 2-5 in district

Manor Key Players and Storylines

The Mustangs will be looking to bounce back from a 4-6 campaign a year ago.

They’ll likely have to rely on their defense early on in the fall. Seven starters are back on that side of the ball, while just three return on offense.

Opposing offenses will have to know where the Godley twins are at all times. Damien, a defensive end, racked up 55 tackles and seven sacks a year ago. Da’Rion (51 tackles), who’s listed as a defensive back, can play as many as five different positions defensively.

Linebacker Brayden Harrison will be the defense’s anchor in the middle of the field.

The Mustangs will have to settle in a new quarterback this year, but they do have a couple of high-level receivers to ease the transition. The Mustang coaching staff said the leadership Johnny Buhendwa brings is almost like “having another coach on the field”. Fellow receiver Eddie Robinson is a big target at 6’5″. He’ll play both ways this fall after earning first team all-district as a defensive end last season.

Up front, Gracien Hall will bring a nastiness to the offensive line. He was an all-district honorable mention in 2023.

The Manor coaching staff noted that although this year’s group may not have as much Division I talent as in years past, there is plenty of buy-in from the players. If that commitment continues and the Mustangs continue to “play for each other and put the team first,” they will have a chance to make some noise this fall.

Round Rock Dragons

Head Coach: Cody Moore (2nd season; 4-7 record)

Last Season: 4-7; 4-3 in district (Lost to Westlake in bi-district)

Round Rock Key Players and Storylines

Round Rock’s four wins last year were the least amount of wins the Dragons have had in a season since 2017. But with half of their starters back (five on offense and six on defense) and a good amount of depth, the Dragons are ready to push back towards the top of the district standings this fall.

They’ll have a new look backfield as junior quarterback Jack Appl and senior running back Joaquin Maldanado step into starting roles. The Dragon coaching staff likes the accuracy and athleticism Appl will bring with him behind center.

Rylan Mathis is a three-year lettermen on the offensive line. He can play anywhere from tackle to center.

On the other side of the ball, defensive end Justin Lee  (79 tackles and seven sacks) is Round Rock’s premier pass rushing threat. He also finished as the team’s second-leading tackler last fall. Alongside him at defensive tackle, Jacob Medina is always “quick to the ball,” while Aiden Walker (65 tackles, two INTs) is another surefire tackler from his safety position.

Round Rock has some inexperience in key positions, but last year’s results have these Dragons hungry. They’re eager for a bounce back campaign in 2024.

Round Rock Cedar Ridge Raiders

Head Coach: Sam Robinson (8th season; 48-32 record)

Last Season: 2-8; 0-7 in district

Cedar Ridge Key Players and Storylines

Cedar Ridge had made the playoffs in its first six years under head coach Sam Robinson, but the Raiders bottomed out a year ago with a 2-8 campaign.

They’ll hope to bounce back with 35 lettermen returning, including half of their starters from 2023 (seven on offense and four on defense).

Quarterback Jack Pippen will be ready to take the field this fall. He threw for 563 touchdowns and five touchdowns in three starts before getting injured a year ago.

Malik Hamilton (211 rushing yards) is one of a trio of backs that should see carries this year. Speedy Josiah Ray should also have an impact both in the backfield and in the return game.

Reese Brooks (169 receiving yards and two touchdowns in four games) brings great size to the receiving core at 6’3″.

Head coach Sam Robinson believes the offensive line might be the strength of the team. Connor Anderson will bring senior leadership while juniors Kameron Asbra and Michael Cosimeno should also play key roles.

Defensively, Jonah Collis (42 total tackles) is a threat off the edge, while defensive tackle Brendyn Mitchell is back after being injured a year ago. The secondary should be another strength with seniors Davon Crank (39 tackles, five PBUs), Eddie Carothers (32 tackles, four PBUs), and Jaiden Fike, who was also injured last year.

It’s evident looking through Cedar Ridge’s key players just how hampered the Raiders were by injuries a year ago. With everyone back healthy, the Raiders will be aiming for an improved campaign this fall.

Round Rock McNeil Mavericks

Head Coach: Scott Hermes (5th season; 12-29 record)

Last Season: 7-5; 4-3 in district (Lost to Cibolo Steele in area round)

McNeil Key Players and Storylines

Scott Hermes has turned around the McNeil program in just four seasons. In his first year, they finished 0-9. But last fall, they made the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and also picked up a playoff win for the first time since that year.

Now, McNeil’s goal is to repeat that feat from a year ago. Eight starters returning on offense will certainly help. However, there’s more holes to fill on defense where just three starters are back.

Jadon Sultz is back for his second year at quarterback (1,697 passing yards and 13 touchdowns), and he’ll be joined in the backfield by Joshua Williams (756 rushing yards and eight touchdowns), a three-year starter at running back.

Receiver Jarell Gary is a dynamic threat. He burst onto the scene as a sophomore last year and caught 59 passes for 708 yards and seven touchdowns.

On the other side of the ball, junior linebacker Marshall Holland averaged eight tackles per game last season. Defensive tackle Joshua Abshier is a player to watch in the trenches, while safety Aden Taylor is a ballhawk in the Maverick secondary after coming up with four interceptions a year ago.

The scary thing about McNeil’s success a year ago is they relied on an offense that had several sophomore starters. With last year’s experience under their belts, Hermes believes this team has the capability to contend for McNeil’s first district title in over 20 years.

Round Rock Stony Point Tigers

Head Coach: Craig Chessher (21st season; 118-100 record)

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

Stony Point Key Players and Storylines

Stony Point has been knocking on the door of its first playoff berth since 2019 the last two years with back-to-back .500 finishes.

They have a good group of returners this year to try and get over that hump with seven starters back on offense and six on defense.

Quarterback Kinnick Kalbus (1,257 passing yards and 11 touchdowns) should take a step forward this year with his poise and leadership after starting as a sophomore last season.

Senior Andrew Gomez will be one of his top targets. He had 435 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season. And with running back Erin Bolton (297 rushing yards and three touchdowns) back too, the skill positions will be a strength for the Tigers.

Up front, tackle Terrence Lackey will lead the Tiger pass protection.

On the other side of the ball, defensive lineman Tristan Butler is explosive upfront, while Joaquin Mendez brings plenty of speed to the linebacking core.

In the secondary, Cal commit Kaden Cook (17 tackles and two forced fumbles) will be Stony Point’s lockdown corner. He has great “coverage skills and physicality.”

The Tiger coaching staff said they’ll be tested week in and week out with just how deep 25-6A is. However, they said this group of players is entering the season determined with the mindset they can and will “control their own destiny” in what should be a crowded playoff race.

Round Rock Westwood

Head Coach: Anthony Wood (20th season; 88-111 record)

Last Season: 7-3; 4-3 in district

Westwood Key Players and Storylines

Westwood had its winningest season since 2012 a year ago, but because of the competitive nature of District 25-6A, the Warriors still came up just short of the playoffs. They were the odd man out of a three-way tiebreaker that decided the final two playoff spots.

Still, the Warriors return half their starters from a year ago (four on offense and seven on defense) and are ready for another run at earning their first playoff berth since 2017.

Westwood got a big boost when junior quarterback Luke Espersen (947 passing yards and five touchdowns) transferred in from Utah. He’s “a pro-style quarterback with a great arm and size.” Alongside him in the backfield, senior Xavion Sutton (309 rushing yards and two touchdowns) will be needed to step up at running back following the graduation of Demani Stewart (1,802 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns).

Wood said the Warriors will be young but talented out at receiver. Junior Drew Norrell missed last year due to injury, and Wood believes he’ll have a big impact this season.

Taylor Wofford is back on the offensive line. He’s a three-year starter. Right tackle Johnny Zhang moved in from China in the eighth grade and has blossomed into a key player for the Warriors heading into his senior year.

The defense finished last year with a +22 turnover differential. They’ll be a handful again this year with defensive end Caius Coy (57 tackles and three tackles for loss) and defensive tackle Jacob Brown, who won Defensive District Newcomer of the Year in 2023, making their presence felt up front.

Defensive back Scott Uffelman is a four-year letterman, who is also a major threat on kickoff returns. He’ll be joined by Josh Hanson (32 tackles and one interception) and Aeb Whitley (38 tackles and three interceptions) to give the Warriors an experienced secondary.

Last season was a major breakthrough for Westwood. With returning experience and a strong freshman class coming up this season, the Warriors are determined to make it one step further and return to the big dance for the first time in seven years.

Vista Ridge Rangers

Head Coach: Chad Scott (4th season; 16-15 record)

Last Season: 7-4; 4-3 in district (Lost to Dripping Springs in bi-district)

Vista Ridge Key Players and Storylines

The Rangers made it back to the playoffs last season for the first time in three years. Head coach Chad Scott said that will be the expectation again in 2024.

36 lettermen return from that team, including five starters on each side of the ball.

The Rangers don’t have a player with a passing attempt from last year back this season, but running back JD Jackson (447 rushing yards and one touchdown) and receiver Jake Pando (273 receiving yards and two touchdowns) should help the new starter settle in. Jackson was Vista Ridge’s leading rusher a year ago, while Pando was its third-leading receiver.

Junior Deshaun Castillo will be the offensive wild card. He can play receiver or line up out of the backfield and head coach Chad Scott expects him to be an “explosive big play player.”

The Rangers will have a steady foundation in the trenches on both side of the ball. When it comes to stopping opponents, defensive end Jason Handy will be disruptive off the edge, while Nate Cochren (18 tackles, six TFLs) has good strength and speed on the interior of that defenisve line.

Safety Amare Jordan (61 tackles, five TFLs) has great speed and is reliable in coverage. He was also Vista Ridge’s second-leading tackler as just a sophomore in 2023.

Scott said the Rangers also have an advantage off the field with the atmosphere their student section creates. And after last year’s success, Vista Ridge is hopeful of giving them a playoff win to celebrate in 2024 for the first time in nine years.

 

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