Vandegrift Knocks Off Dripping Springs

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: August 26, 2023

Leander Vandegrift vs Dripping Springs 082523 by Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Leander Vandegrift Opens Season With Solid Win Over Dripping Springs

Last season, the Leander Vandegrift Vipers made their first-ever state championship appearance. Prior to kickoff on Friday, Leander Vandegrift Head Coach Drew Sanders made it clear that his team could not rest on their laurels heading into this season. Regarding the new season, Sanders said, “Nobody cares that we were a state finalist last year.” Sanders also emphasized that this team was not the same as last year’s team. “This is a new team,” he said.

Indeed, the Vipers entered the season with a number of new faces at key positions. One of these positions was quarterback. After losing last year’s starter, Brayden Buchanan, to graduation, the Vipers received a major boost in the spring with addition of former New Braunfels Canyon quarterback Deuce Adams and his brother, wide receiver Eli Adams. Despite the turnover at several positions, the Vipers did return several key players including wide receiver Miles Coleman, offensive lineman Blake Frazier, and tight end Jase Skoglund.

To begin the season, the Vipers faced a familiar foe, the Dripping Springs Tigers. Last year, the Vipers and Tigers met twice in dramatic contests. Like the Vipers, the Tigers featured several new players at key positions including quarterback. Unlike the dramatic contests from last season, the Vipers made sure the outcome was in little doubt with a convincing 27-7 win over the Tigers.

In the first half, the Vipers put on a dominant performance. On the opening drive, the Adams brothers opened the scoring when Deuce connected with Eli for a 55-yard touchdown pass. Early in the second quarter, running back Brendan Fournier capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run; but the Vipers were unable to convert the extra-point attempt. Later in the quarter, Fournier found the end zone again on a four-yard run. Shortly before halftime, Viper defensive back Diego De La Vara Vazquez intercepted quarterback Maddox Maher’s pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown. Maher was forced into duty in the first quarter after starting quarterback Jack Williams suffered an injury which kept him out for the rest of the game.

In the second half, the Tigers showed resilience, especially on defense. The Tiger defense was able to do a much better job containing the Vipers and kept them from scoring any additional points. The Vipers, meanwhile, showed some signs of early season rust not uncommon for the first game. Penalties and miscues were the predominant issues for the Vipers including several procedural penalties such as false starts and several bad snaps. Dripping Springs receiver Kyle Koch scored the lone points of the half on a 75-yard end-around run.

After the game, Coach Sanders credited his team for getting the win against a quality team like Dripping Springs. “Anytime you can go 1-0 is a great start to the season, especially against a quality team like Dripping Springs.” Sanders also praised his defense’s performance, especially against a potent rushing attacking like that of Dripping Springs. While praising his team’s success, Sanders also acknowledged there were definite areas for improvement, especially in terms of lining up correctly. Next week, the Vipers return home to host Cedar Park (1-0) at Monroe Stadium.

Dripping Springs Head Coach Galen Zimmerman, meanwhile, praised his team’s resilience in the second half after struggling in the first half. He said that he viewed the game as a major learning experience for his team, and he expressed optimism that many of the mistakes his team made could be readily cleaned up. Next week, the Tigers travel to San Antonio to take on San Antonio Wagner.

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Vandegrift