The Giddings Buffaloes had another solid season before running into that buzz saw otherwise known as West Orange-Stark in the state quarterfinal.
After going 3-2 in non-district, Giddings scored at least six touchdowns in every District 10-4A DII contest and allowed more than 20 points just once in that string of games. The Buffaloes handily wrapped up the district championship ahead of LaGrange, Caldwell and Gonzales.
Giddings defeated Waco Connally in the bi-district round before getting past Hardin-Jefferson by a touchdown in area. The Buffaloes beat Liberty in the regional before falling to West Orange-Stark, 48-5.
Giddings, which finished last year with an 11-3 record, has made the playoffs three-consecutive seasons and 16 of the last 19 years.
Key Losses
WR/RB Jason James, RB Chabastin Taylor, DL Isaiah Perez
The superlatives say it all among these three players. James was the District 10-4A Overall MVP, Taylor was the Offensive MVP and Perez the Defensive MVP. Taylor signed with Kansas State University.
Key Returners
QB Rustin Grimm, Jaylon Joiner, DT Brayson Wheaton. WR Treveon Johnson
The passing game should be pretty slick for the Buffaloes as quarterback Rustin Grimm returns along with two stud receivers in Treveon Johnson and Tavion Page, who were both unanimous first-team all-district selections last year.
Giddings also has two big returning players on the offensive line with Jaquan Thomas and Mason Tyler. Joiner was the district’s offensive newcomer of the and Wheaton was the defensive newcomer of the year. Joiner and Wheaton will only be juniors this fall.
Linebacker Reed Walther led Giddings in tackles last year with 134.
Verdict
Giddings has a knack for making the playoffs, and the program has been one of the most consistent in Central Texas over the last 20 years.
The Buffaloes will once again be big and physical, and they have experienced starters returning at some key skill positions on both sides of the ball.
Look for another run at the playoffs in 2017, and perhaps playing deep into November or sometime in December.
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