Klein Collins Runs Past Leander Vandegrift

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 23, 2019

photos: Steve Thomas

Tigers avenge last year’s double overtime area loss against Vipers

Last year, the Klein Collins Tigers met the Leander Vandegrift Vipers in the area round of the UIL 6A Division II playoffs. The Vipers won that contest 28-21 in double overtime. This year, the two teams met again in the same round of the 6A Division II playoffs. After easily dispatching Spring Dekaney 37-6 in the bi-district round, the Tigers came into Monroe Stadium Friday night anxious for revenge. Vandegrift, meanwhile, entered the game coming off a dramatic 14-13 bi-district win over Cypress Bridgeland. In that game, the Vipers trailed 13-0 into the fourth quarter.

Tiger head coach Adrian Mitchell said that he believed that Vandegrift was able to win last year largely because they played with more enthusiasm. Mitchell said that this was a major area of focus entering Friday’s game. He wanted to make sure his players were focused and putting forth everything they had. On Friday night, his players more than answered the call. Running back Braelon Bridges rushed for over 200 yards and three touchdowns, and the defense forced three first-half turnovers to lead the Tigers to a 28-14 victory.

From the outset, the Tigers made their presence known on the field. Defensive back Donald Lee intercepted quarterback Dru Dawson’s pass on the opening drive and returned it to the Vandegrift 33-yard line. One play later, Bridges scored his first touchdown on a 33-yard run. Late in the first quarter, Bridges scored his second touchdown on a four-yard run.

On the next drive, the Vipers drove the ball all the way to the Tiger 11-yard line; but defensive back Blake Okoye recovered Dawson’s fumble following a sack to end the drive. Late in the second quarter, quarterback Colby Powers extended the Tigers’ lead to 21-0 on a 19-yard keeper. Following the touchdown, the Tiger defense got another turnover when defensive lineman Donovan Phenix-Niman intercepted double-reverse pass back to Dru Dawson.

On the opening drive of the second half, Bridges scored his third touchdown of the night on a six-yard run. Early in the fourth quarter, Vandegrift finally got on the scoreboard when Dru Dawson connected with receiver Blake Youngblood in the corner of the end zone on a nine-yard pass. Desperate for a rally, the Vipers attempted an onside kick, but the Tigers recovered it.

After the Klein Collins drive ate up six minutes of clock, Vandegrift running back Nathan Andrade scored on a five-yard touchdown run. Once again, however, the Vipers failed to recover the onside kick; and the Tigers were able to run out the clock.

After the game, Coach Mitchell praised his team’s all-around effort. He also gave credit to his defense for stifling the normally potent Viper offense. Mitchell credited the defense’s ability to contain Dru Dawson in part to the speed of his linebackers. He also noted the advantage of having a quarterback that could also block in wildcat formations.

With the win, Klein Collins improves to 11-1 overall. The Tigers will face Dallas Jesuit in the next round at McLane Stadium in Waco at a time to be determined. Vandegrift, meanwhile, finishes the year at 11-1. The Vipers end the year with back-to-back District 13-6A titles and two consecutive undefeated regular seasons. After the game, head coach Drew Sanders praised his team’s accomplishments and gave a special thanks to his senior class. Sanders also expressed confidence in the program’s future in light of returning talent and players coming up through the system.

by Steve Thomas