The Vandergrift Vipers move on to round 3 of the Texas 5A Football playoffs after securing a 63-14 win over the San Marcos Rattlers. It’s easy for a team like Vandergrift to fall under the radar, especially sharing a district with 2014 State Finalist, Cedar Park but The Vipers aren’t strangers to playoff success. Last season they were one game away from the 5A division 2 state championship.
Although the Vipers play well as a unit, their running back, Travis Brannan is the work horse of the offense. He has accounted for over 2,000 yards rushing and 40 touchdowns. He’s averaging almost 200 yards rushing a game with 9 yards per attempt. Not bad for being just 5’11 170 ibs. Some of his most notable performances were against Cooper and Elgin, where he combined for over 500 yards and 7 touchdowns. Travis may not jump off the charts physically but his football IQ is next level. He reads his blocks very well and never settles for short yardage. He’s a home run player but he knows how to protect himself and the football. Aside from being underrated, Travis has received offers from Rice, Texas State and Navy but something tells me that more schools will begin to show some interest if the Vipers playoff run continues.
Vandergrift is posed to make another deep playoff run. Their region isn’t exactly competitive but no teams should be taken lightly. One game at a time seems to be the motto but The Vipers believe whole heartedly that they belong in the State Championship and they won’t settle for anything short of that. Last year’s loss to 76-35 loss to Temple molded this team into fierce competitors. The shadows of Cedar Park and Georgetown are fading slowly but surely and Vandergrift will be recognized as one of Central Texas finest as well.
