After one of the best seasons in program history, Vista Ridge competed in the one of the toughest schedules in the state, finishing the regular season with back-to-back losses to Lake Travis and Westlake to a combined score of 115-7. Despite a 2-4 district record, the Rangers made the playoffs as the fourth seed in their region for the third straight time and fourth since 2010; Vista Ridge trailed Lake Travis, Westlake and Vandegrift in the standings. In the first round, the Rangers battled Churchill – a team hampered by an injury to starting quarterback Jordan Billups, replacing the senior with sophomore starter Derek Perez. The Rangers lead for three quarters, before the Chargers pulled away, claiming the Class 6A Division II bi-district playoff 41-38 – an impressive offensive showing by a Rangers team that was wildly consistent throughout the year.
Numerous lettermen graduated from last year’s semifinal team, and most saw their first ever Friday Night Lights action against Flour Bluff in the season opener. Defensively, three players had more than 100 tackles; the unit sacrificed 37.8 points per game and allowed over 28 points in nine contests.
Key Losses
Blake Harrison (LB), Jonathan Travis (TE), Sean Freeman (OL), Christian Boyd (DE)
Four of the five top receivers in terms of yards will be lost to graduation. Seniors Ryan Landrum, Samuel Waldum, Jonathan Travis and Aiden Florez were responsible for 1,330 of the team’s 2,054 total receiving yards – production Taute will sorely miss in his final year with the program.
Last season’s All-Central Texas football team elect Blake Harrison (LB) accounted for 127 total tackles. This year’s sum was only a stop short, compiling 126 total tackles (19 solo, 107 assisted). – 126 total tackles, 19 solo 107 assisted. Harrison – alongside graduating seniors Travis, Sean Freeman (OL), Caleb Welch (SS), and Christian Boyd (DT) were named second-team All-District.
Key Returners
Jacob Taute (QB), Jamil Pittman (WR), Kevin Bastow (ILB)
Jacob Taute lead the team with 2,137 total yards, throwing for 1,766 yards and 13 touchdowns. The junior peaked midseason in a slugfest against Hays, completing 31 of 56 passes for 502 yards and five touchdowns in the victory. There were also remarkable lows, where Taute lobbed six interceptions in a 54-0 blowout suffered at the hands of the Westlake defense – hurling four in the first half. The quarterback and Jamil Pittman were the only two Rangers named to first-team All-District. The receiver had 488 receiving yards, 327 rushing yards and five total touchdowns.
Bastow bullied opposing teams with 106 total tackles, including eight solo and four quarterback hurries. The defensive stud was elected second-team All-District for his impressive athleticism in the middle.
The Verdict
In the schools thirteen year history, Vista Ridge has never made it past the semifinals. It’s difficult to imagine progressing much into the postseason with the current roster, but with another season of experience under their belt, the Rangers could potentially reach .500 or above in the 2017 campaign.
The lead against Churchill was a promising sign for coach Rodney Vincent and his unit to turn it around; the receiver corps will be deteriorated from graduation, the offensive backfield will mostly stay intact. If underclassmen pick up the slack for absent receivers, the offense has tremendous upside, the defense could improve as well with thirteen returning students and 23 graduating.
Brought to you by: XENITH
