Vandegrift Shocks Katy

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: December 12, 2022

Leander Vandegrift vs Katy 2022 Semifinal

photos: Steve Thomas

Vandegrift Goes to State

For the first time in school history, the Leander Vandegrift Vipers are going to state. On Saturday at the Alamodome, kicker Hayden Arnold netted a 37-yard field goal as time expired to give the Vipers a dramatic 38-35 win over the Katy Tigers and a berth in the UIL 6A-D2 Championship game. The back-and-forth affair saw five ties and six lead changes and multiple big plays. Vandegrift quarterback Brayden Buchanan threw for 453 yards and two touchdowns. Thanks to some creative play calling by Head Coach Drew Sanders, receiver Miles Coleman also threw for two touchdowns. Coleman also had eight catches for 267 yards and a touchdown. For Katy, running back Seth Davis rushed for 251 yards and two touchdowns; and running back Chase Johnsey ran for 29 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Caleb Koger threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

Prior to the game, Coach Sanders mentioned that containing the potent Katy rushing attack was a critical aspect of the Vipers’ game plan. In the first half, the Viper defense did an excellent job of that. Vandegrift held Seth Davis to 57 yards rushing and Katy to a total of 76 yards. Offensively, the Vipers were able to dial up big plays when it mattered. On the opening drive, Buchanan connected with Coleman for a 48-yard pass; and Coleman then connected with receiver Charlie Oliver on a 14-yard hook-and-ladder. Early in the second quarter, Chase Johnsey tied the game at 7-7 with an 11-yard touchdown run. Following the Katy touchdown, Vandegrift took back the lead when Buchanan connected with Coleman for a 75-yard touchdown pass. On the ensuing drive, Koger tied the game at 14-14 with a 74-yard touchdown pass to receiver Micah Koenig. The Katy defense appeared to get a stop deep in their own territory shortly before halftime, but a roughing-the-passer penalty extended the Vandegrift drive. Two plays later Buchanan connected with tight end Jase Skoglund for a seven-yard touchdown pass which put Vandegrift back in front 21-14.

In the third quarter, the momentum began to swing in favor of Katy. While the Vipers had success containing Seth Davis in the first half, the Tigers’ halftime adjustments opened up running lanes for Davis in the second half. On the opening drive of the half, Davis broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 21-21. Neither team was able to score the rest of the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the real drama began. Early in the quarter, Caleb Koger gave Katy their first lead of the game on a 92-yard touchdown pass to Koenig. Vandegrift immediately responded, however, when Buchanan connected with receiver Beck Ormond for an 83-yard pass. The line judge initially ruled that Ormond had crossed the goal line for an 84-yard touchdown catch, but Ormond was later ruled to be down at the one-yard line. Two plays later, Buchanan punched the ball in with a one-yard touchdown keeper. After the Viper defense forced the Tigers to punt, Miles Coleman connected with running back Alex Witt for a touchdown on a 17-yard touchdown pass on another double pass. Unfazed by the setback, Seth Davis broke free for a 64-yard game-tying touchdown run on the ensuing drive to tie the game at 35-35. After the Katy touchdown, the Vipers got the ball back with under two minutes remaining and put together a methodical drive that reached the Katy 20-yard line and bled plenty of clock. With two seconds remaining, Hayden Arnold netted a 37-yard field goal as time expired and sent the Vandegrift sideline and stands into a frenzy.

Regarding the game-winning kick, Arnold said, “I just gave it to God. Before the game, I write three (Bible) verses on my wrist. I prayed before I went out, and I knew giving it to Him…it wasn’t me…it was all Him.” For his part, Coach Sanders praised his team’s mental toughness, especially late in the game when Katy made several big plays. Sanders said, “It’s everything. I call it ‘The Vandegrift Way.’ There wasn’t one time where we thought we were going to lose this game.” With the win, Vandegrift improves to 14-1 on the year. Next week, the Vipers will play the Desoto Eagles in the UIL 6A-D2 Championship Game on Saturday, December 17^th, at 3:00pm at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Katy, meanwhile, finishes the season at 14-1.

Players Pictured

Vandegrift