Hays Consolidated Upends Leander Vandegrift

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: January 4, 2021

Hays Consolidated vs Leander Vandegrift - 2021 Regional by Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Rebels overwhelm Vipers to advance to 6A DII semi-finals

“Making History” was the slogan on the shirts of several Hays Consolidated Rebel fans on Saturday afternoon at Shelton Stadium in Kyle. Last week, the Rebels defeated San Antonio Taft to advance to the UIL 6A D2II regional finals. This matched the Rebels deepest playoff run since 2006 when the Rebels reached the regional finals and lost to Schertz Clemens. A win in the regional final would give the Rebels their first ever berth in the 6A DII semi-finals and mark their deepest playoff run since the 1996 squad which finished state runner-up in 4A DII. To add to their motivation, the Rebels were playing with a huge chip on their shoulder. To qualify for the playoffs, the Rebels had to rally to beat Austin Bowie 21-14 in the final week of the season. Because of that and the teams they faced in each round, the Rebels were seen as underdogs in nearly every round including Saturday’s regional championship.

Opposing the Rebels in the regional championship were the District 25-6A co-champion Leander Vandegrift Vipers. In the previous round, the Vipers defeated San Antonio Brennan 20-6 to match their deepest playoff run since 2015. That year, the Vipers advanced to the 5A DI regional final and lost to district rival Cedar Park Vista Ridge. With a win Saturday, the Vipers would match their deepest playoff run in school history when they reached the 2014 5A DI semi-finals.

Behind a potent slot-T offense and stifling defense, the Rebels were indeed able to make history and advance to the semi-finals with a 38-10 victory over the Vipers. Offensively, the Rebels used their strength and physicality to move the ball almost at will against the Vipers. Defensively, the Rebels stifled the Vandegrift offense and forced several key turnovers. Additionally, the Rebels’ defense made life miserable in the backfield getting constant pressure and several sacks.

In the first quarter, the Vipers struck first. On fourth down in Hays territory, quarterback Ryan Back connected with receiver Graylan Spring for a 35-yard pass to extend the drive. One play later, running back Ryan Sheppard scored on a four-yard touchdown run. The Rebels responded on the next drive with quarterback Durand Hill’s 13-yard touchdown keeper, but the Rebels missed the extra point leaving Vandegrift in front 7-6.

In the second quarter, running back Zach Obara gave the Rebels the lead with a seven-yard touchdown run. The Rebels failed the two-point attempt leaving the score at 12-7. On the ensuing drive, the Vipers drove deep into Rebel territory; but the Hays defense stiffened and forced the Vipers to settle for a 30-yard field goal by Charlie Fournier. On the next drive, Hill escaped a sack and dumped the ball to running back Quincy Jackson who ran the ball in for a 13-yard touchdown. The Rebels once again missed the extra-point and took an 18-10 lead into halftime.

Despite struggling to move the ball effectively in the first half, the Vipers were putting together an efficient drive to start the third quarter. The Vipers drove the ball into Hays territory, but Hays defensive back Marcus Taylor cut the drive short with an interception at the Rebels’ one-yard line. Following the interception, Durand Hill capped off the 99-yard drive with a 28-yard touchdown to Chris Bruce. On the next Vandegrift drive, Hays linebacker Tyson Hatnot got his first of two interceptions, and Durand Hill connected with receiver Bryant Lewis for a 44-yard touchdown pass. After Hatnot’s second interception on the ensuing Vandegrift drive, Hill found the end zone on a 19-yard keeper to put the Rebels up 38-10 midway through the fourth quarter.

On the subsequent kickoff, the Vandegrift returner muffed the kick; and the Rebels recovered. Unlike the previous three turnovers, however, the Rebels were unable to convert the muffed kick into points after kicker Cooper Cawley missed a 35-yard field goal. Vandegrift then turned the ball over on downs, and the Rebels were able to kneel out the clock.

With the win, Hays improves to 10-3 overall. Next week, the Rebels will face the 6A powerhouse Katy Tigers at McLane Stadium in Waco. The game is scheduled for Saturday, January 09, 2021 at 2:00pm CST. The Tigers are 11-1 following a 51-14 win over Clear Falls in the previous round. Vandegrift, meanwhile finished the season at 10-3.

by Steve Thomas