Weiss Downs Rival Hendrickson

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: September 26, 2021

Pflugerville Weiss , Pflugerville Hendrickson by Steve Thomas 092521

photos: Steve Thomas

Pflugerville Weiss Gets First Win Over Pflugerville Hendrickson

Despite Pflugerville Weiss only opening in 2017, the Pflugerville Weiss Wolves and Pflugerville Hendrickson Hawks seemed destined to be rivals. Off the field, the Weiss attendance zone drew mainly from Hendrickson’s attendance zone. The resulting shift in numbers ultimately brought Hendrickson down from 6A to 5A D1 and Weiss up from 5A DII to 5A DI in the 2020 realignment. That realignment also put the two schools in the same district. To add to the intrigue, Weiss quarterback Dior Bradfield played his first two seasons at Hendrickson before transferring to Weiss last year. The Weiss student section even featured a sign saying, “Thanks for the QB!” as a barb against the Hawks.

On the field, the first meeting between the two teams last year was an incredibly tight contest in which the Hawks blocked the Wolves’ two-point conversion attempt at the end of the game to seal a 49-48 win. This year, the Wolves entered Friday’s game against Hendrickson at 2-1 overall. Following an opening loss to Killeen Harker Heights, the Wolves finished their non-district schedule with consecutive wins over former district rivals Leander Rouse and Leander Glenn. Hendrickson, meanwhile, entered at 1-2 overall.

The Hawks opened the season with consecutive losses to Cibolo Steele and Killeen before securing their first win two weeks ago against Belton. In front of a raucous crowd at the Pfield, Weiss overcame a sluggish start and withstood intense defensive pressure from Hendrickson to secure a 38-21 over the Hawks.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Hendrickson struck first when running back Ethan Bell scored on a two-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Weiss responded immediately on the ensuing drive when running back Daelen Alexander found the end zone on an 11-yard run. Receiver Price Morgan then put the Wolves in the lead with a 58-yard punt return for a touchdown. The next Hendrickson drive ended with the punter bobbling the snap, and Weiss took over with the ball at the Hawks’ 24-yard line. Shortly thereafter, Morgan caught a 21-yard pass for his second touchdown of the night and put the Wolves up 21-7 going into halftime.

Midway through the third quarter, Weiss receiver Micah Gifford followed a 38-yard catch with a one-yard touchdown catch which put Weiss up 28-7. Late in the third quarter, Hendrickson finally responded with a score when receiver DJ Pinkerton caught a 35-yard touchdown pass. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Weiss kicker Oscar Jaramillo netted a 24-yard field goal to extend the Wolves’ lead to 31-14. With about two minutes left in the game, Weiss defensive back Jacobie Greathouse sealed the game when he returned his second interception of the night over 80 yards for a touchdown.

Hendrickson receiver Spencer Distefano then scored the game’s final touchdown on a 66-yard catch. After the game, Weiss Coach Steve Van Meter attributed the sluggish start in the first quarter to poor execution and noted that his team has a lot to clean up. However, he also credited his team for finding a rhythm to recover from the slow start.

With the win, Weiss improves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in district. Next week, the Wolves return to the Pfield for a Thursday-night showdown with the Austin Anderson Trojans (2-2, 1-0.) Hendrickson, meanwhile, falls to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in district. Next week, the Hawks will travel to Gupton Stadium to face the perennial power Cedar Park Timberwolves (2-2, 1-0.)

by Steve Thomas