Late Field Goal Lifts Round Rock Over Leander Vista Ridge

By Chris Doelle
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: November 14, 2020

photos: Steve Thomas

Dragon defense staves off late Ranger rally

Collin Harwick netted a 29-yard field goal with 2:22 left Thursday night, and the Round Rock defense stifled Cedar Park Vista Ridge’s final drive for a 31-28 victory in an epic district 25-6A showdown. At stake was second place in the district and a chance for at least a share of the district title. As Head Coach Jeff Cheatham mentioned, Round Rock had been on a roll coming into Thursday’s contest. Since losing two close games in early October, the Dragons had won four straight games. Leading that charge was a potent offense led by quarterback Seth Ford and running back Israel Morgan along with a stout defense.

Regarding Ford, Cheatham called him the “pulse of our offense.” Vista Ridge, meanwhile, was looking to extend a three-game win streak of their own. The Rangers also featured a potent offense led by quarterback Kyle Brown and a stingy defense. With so much at stake and two evenly matched teams, the game more than lived up to the hype.

According to Coach Cheatham, one of the keys for his defense was to contain Kyle Brown. Throughout the night, the Dragons’ defense made life miserable for Brown. The Dragons sacked Brown five times and kept him under constant pressure. On the opening drive, defensive lineman Isaac Uruqidi sacked Brown for a seventeen-yard loss at the Rangers’ eight-yard line. The resulting punt gave the Dragons the ball at the Rangers’ 25-yard line, and Israel Morgan capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Vista Ridge responded quickly on the next drive as Brown connected with receiver Kwade Hegtvedt for a 75-yard touchdown pass tying the game.

Following the touchdown, the Vista Ridge defense rose to the occasion; and defensive lineman Ethan Ellsworth recovered Morgan’s fumble at the Rangers’ 35-yard line. Vista Ridge was unable to capitalize on the turnover, however.

Early in the second quarter, Morgan put the Dragons back in the lead with a one-yard dive across the goal line. After the Dragons’ defense forced another Vista Ridge punt, Seth Ford extended the Round Rock lead to 21-7 on a 50-yard option keeper. Shortly before halftime, Vista Ridge got a much-needed touchdown. On fourth and five from the Round Rock 19-yard line, Brown connected with receiver Malachi Byrd on a 19-yard touchdown pass to pull Vista Ridge to within a touchdown.

On the opening drive of the second half, Seth Ford found the end zone for a second time on a 19-yard keeper. After the Dragons’ defense forced the Rangers to punt on the ensuing drive, the Rangers’ defense stepped up; and defensive lineman Elijah Estes recovered Israel Morgan’s second fumble of the night at the Round Rock 26-yard line. Brown then connected with Kwade Hegtvedt for the second time on a 12-yard touchdown pass.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Rangers’ defense made another critical play. Ethan Ellsworth got his second fumble recovery of the game and set up Vista Ridge at the Round Rock 45-yard line. Four plays later, Kyle Brown tied the game on an 18-yard touchdown keeper which sent Gupton Stadium into a frenzy. Late in the fourth quarter, Israel Morgan led the Dragons deep into Vista Ridge territory.

At one point, Morgan appeared to set up the Dragons with first and goal at the Vista Ridge one-yard line; but the run was called back due to holding. Ultimately, the Dragons were forced to settle for Harwick’s field goal to retake the lead.

Following the field goal, Vista Ridge got the ball back with 2:16 left on their own 39-yard line. With their quick-strike ability, the Rangers offense appeared to have an excellent chance to get a score to tie or take the lead. Once again, however, the Round Rock defense rose to the occasion. The defensive line got ample pressure on Kyle Brown, and the secondary provided excellent coverage of the dangerous Ranger receiving corps.

With just over a minute left on fourth and one at the Round Rock 30-yard line, the Rangers had one last chance to take the lead. Unfortunately for them, receiver Wyatt Gates dropped the go-ahead touchdown pass in the end zone; and the Rangers turned the ball over on downs.

With the win, Round Rock improves to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in district. Next week, the Dragons return home to Dragon Stadium for a pivotal district showdown with Leander Vandegrift (5-1, 4-0.) The previous two contests between the schools have been decided by a total of ten points. Vista Ridge, meanwhile, falls to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in district. Next week, the Rangers will travel to Kelly Reeves Stadium in Round Rock for a Thursday showdown with Round Rock Stony Point (1-3, 0-3.)

by Steve Thomas