Cedar Park Upsets Buda Johnson in Double-OT Thriller

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 13, 2021

photos: Steve Thomas

Timberwolves recover fumble in second overtime to seal win

Throughout the 2021 season, the Cedar Park Timberwolves have been playing with a chip on their shoulder. At 5-5 overall and 4-3 in district, the Timberwolves were experiencing the growing pains associated with graduating a large number of players from a team that reached the UIL 5A DI Championship Game and also replacing a head coach. After several tough losses, players such as running back Kevin Adams expressed that they felt that a lot of people had written off their season. On Friday night, the Timberwolves travelled to Shelton Stadium in Buda to face the Buda Johnson Jaguars in the Bi-district round of the UIL 5A DI playoffs.

In only their second season of varsity football, the Jaguars were 9-1 overall and 6-1 in district. Their lone loss came at the hands of district champion Dripping Springs. The Jaguars featured a high-octane offense which had broken the 50-point mark in several games this year.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Timberwolves drew first blood early in the second quarter. Cedar Park running back Tyree Nicholson found the end zone on a 12-yard run to give Cedar Park a 7-0 lead. The potent Jaguar offense wasted little time getting even, however, as quarterback Jesse Medina connected with receiver Caden Winzer for a 76-yard touchdown pass on the next drive. Later in the quarter, the Timberwolves were deep in Jaguar territory; but Winzer ended the Cedar Park drive with his first of three interceptions for the game. Shortly before halftime, Adams caught an eight-yard pass to give the Timberwolves a 14-7 lead.

Midway through the third quarter, Jesse Medina broke free for a 62-yard keeper to set up the Jaguars at the Timberwolves’ eight-yard line. Two plays later, receiver Aiden Rodriguez scored on a three-yard touchdown run. The Timberwolves blocked the extra-point attempt, however, leaving them with a 14-13 lead. On the ensuing drive, the Timberwolves added some cushion when quarterback Joshua Pell connected with receiver Cody Marshall on a 42-yard touchdown pass. Following the touchdown, Cedar Park defensive back Michael Putney ended a promising Jaguar drive with an interception which he returned to the Timberwolves’ 40-yard line. Despite the turnover, the Jaguars’ defense held and forced Cedar Park to punt.

On the following drive, Rodriguez broke free for a 40-yard run; and receiver Richard Kelly scored a one-yard touchdown run on the next play. The Jaguars attempted a fake field goal for the two-point conversion but were unsuccessful. Winzer came up big again on the ensuing Cedar Park drive with his second interception, and kicker Patrick Hellen netted a 47-yard field goal to give Buda Johnson a 22-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter. After the field goal, Winzer got his third interception of the night; and Rodriguez capped of the resulting drive with a 19-yard touchdown run.

With his team trailing 29-21 late in the fourth quarter, Cedar Park Head Coach Michael Quintero told his team, “We’re about to have the best drive we’ve had all year;” and his team answered the call. After starting at their own 30-yard line, the Timberwolves put together an effective drive which culminated in Pell connecting with Marshall a second time on a 24-yard touchdown pass. The Timberwolves also successfully completed the two-point conversion to tie the game at 29-29 and send the game to overtime.

In the first overtime, running back Devon Blackwell scored first for the Jaguars on a one-yard touchdown run. Cedar Park responded with Pell finding Marshall for a third touchdown on a 13-yard pass. In the second overtime, the Timberwolves started with possession; and Adams caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to give Cedar Park a 42-36 lead. The Timberwolves opted to go for the two-point conversion, but the receiver dropped the pass in the end zone. On the first play of the Buda Johnson’s drive, the Jaguars fumbled the ball on an exchange between the quarterback and running back; and Cedar Park defensive back Reid Vines recovered the fumble to seal the game for the Timberwolves.

After the game, Quintero praised his team’s resiliency during the game. He also praised his offensive line’s performance as well as the run game, the quarterback, and the defense. Regarding the defense, Quintero said, “People forget that we’re still Cedar Park. These kids take a lot of pride in the Black Rain.”

Quintero also echoed his players’ sentiment that many people had written off the team’s season. “A lot of people counted us out,” he said. With the win, Cedar Park improves to 6-5 overall. Next week, the Timberwolves will travel to Waller to take on the Angleton Wildcats (8-3) in the Area Round. Buda Johnson, meanwhile, finishes the season at 9-2.

by Steve Thomas