Cedar Park Trounces Pflugerville Connally 49-0

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 22, 2016

photos: Steve Thomas

Timberwolves shutout Cougars to move closer to District title

For the Cedar Park football program, losing is not in its vocabulary. Entering Friday night’s game at Gupton Stadium, the Timberwolves had not lost in at home in 24 games nor had they lost in 23 games overall. Since 2009, the Timberwolves have won two state championships and six district titles. After going 7-0 including a big win over Georgetown last week, Cedar Park appeared to be well on their way to a seventh district crown. Standing in their way, however, was Pflugerville Connally.

After struggling the past two seasons, the Cougars had been one of this year’s surprise teams also going 7-0. The wins have not always been easy for the Cougars. For example, Connally fought all the way back from a 19-0 deficit to defeat Leander Rouse 20-19. Head coach Jason Cecil considers this ability to keep playing and not quit to be one of his team’s greatest strengths.

Despite the fact that both teams were undefeated, it was clear from the outset that the Cougars were outmatched. The Timberwolves’ defense stifled the normally potent Pflugerville Connally offense led by senior quarterback Robert Patterson. The Cougars finished the first half with negative seven yards and two first downs. For the game, the Cougars only had three plays of ten yards or more. Penalties and miscues also plagued the Cougars throughout the game, the most egregious of which occurred early in the second quarter. Down 14-0, the Cougar defense forced the Timberwolves to punt after a drive of only 12 yards. However during the return, the Connally returner muffed the punt; and the Timberwolves recovered the ball at the Cougars’ seven-yard line. Two plays later, Cedar Park scored a touchdown to increase their lead to 21-0.

While Connally’s offense struggled throughout the game, Cedar Park’s offense gashed the Connally’s defense, especially on the ground. Cedar Park senior running back Tyler Lavine turned in another excellent performance rushing for over 75 yards and scoring two touchdowns on a five-yard rush and a seven-yard catch. Senior wide receiver Daniel Rosenthal caught two touchdown passes from junior quarterback Makenzie Sexton. Seniors Hayden Craig and Omar Alzer and junior Payden Sawicki also each scored a touchdown as the Timberwolves shut out the Cougars 49-0.

Tyler Lavine

With the win, Cedar Park improves to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in District 19-5A. The Timberwolves have won 25 consecutive home games and 24 consecutive games overall. Head coach Carl Abseck is also 23-0 in his tenure at Cedar Park. Next week, the Timberwolves travel to Hutto. The Hippos are 6-2 overall and 4-2 in district following a 42-32 win over Leander Rouse.

Pflugerville Connally, meanwhile, falls to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in district. The Cougars return home next week to host Bastrop Cedar Creek. The Eagles are 1-7 overall and 0-6 in district following a 47-3 loss to Georgetown.

by Steve Thomas