Vista Ridge Survives Thriller Against Round Rock

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 4, 2023

Round Rock vs Cedar Park Vista Ridge 2023 Steve THomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Rangers stop Dragons on late two-point conversion to clinch playoff berth

Entering the final week of the regular season, chaos loomed in the District 25-6A playoff race. With Austin Vandegrift clinching the district title last week, three playoff sports remained with four teams in contention for them. Two of those teams, the Round Rock Dragons and Cedar Park Vista Ridge Rangers faced off Friday night at Dragon Stadium. The winner would clinch a playoff berth, but the loser faced possibly sweating out multiple tie-breaker scenarios.

Vista Ridge Head Coach Chad Scott said that he and his staff mapped out as many as ten different scenarios in which his team could qualify for the playoffs. However, he also said, “We knew that this one scenario would take care of everything, and that (scenario) was to beat Round Rock.” On Friday night, his team was able to do accomplish that goal. Defensive lineman Kaden Dees sacked Round Rock quarterback Mason Cochran on a two-point conversion with less than 20 seconds in the game to seal a 21-20 win and playoff berth for the Rangers.

Throughout the game, both teams played a physical game which featured an emphasis on the ground game and plenty of defense. In the first quarter, the Rangers got off to a fast start. Quarterback Grant Anderson connected with receiver James Hester on a 26-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive. Two drives later, the Rangers converted a fourth and nine on a fake punt; and Anderson scored again with his feet on a five-yard keeper. After that, neither offense was able to get anything going until late in the second quarter. Shortly before halftime, Round Rock running back Moose Garlington got the Dragons on the board with a one-yard touchdown run.

In the second half, the Dragons were able to make adjustments on both sides of the ball and started to gain momentum. On the opening drive of the third quarter, Mason Cochran took advantage of Vista Ridge over pursuing and broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run on fourth and ten. Later in the quarter, Cochran broke free for a long run; but the Vista Ridge defense forced and recovered a fumble at the end of the run. The Round Rock defense forced a punt following the turnover, but the Dragons were flagged for roughing the kicker which gave Vista Ridge the ball. A few plays after the penalty, receiver Kade Nathman scored on a four-yard touchdown run and gave Vista Ridge the lead. In the fourth quarter, the defensive struggle continued until just under two minutes remaining.

With 1:48 left in the game, Round Rock got the ball on the 50-yard line. As the Dragons moved closer to the goal line, the excitement continued to build. Round Rock fans could feel their team closing in on a potential game-tying score. Finally with just under 20 seconds left in the game, Mason Cochran scored on a nine-yard touchdown keeper which sent the Round Rock fans into a frenzy. Instead of sending the field-goal unit onto the field for a game-tying extra-point attempt, Round Rock Head Coach Cody Moore decided to go for the two-point conversion and possibly win the game in regulation. Unfortunately for Round Rock, Kaden Dees tackled Cochran short of the goal line on the attempt and sent the Vista Ridge side into a frenzy. The ensuing onside kick went out of bounds, and the Rangers were able to kneel out the clock.

After the game, Dees said that he actually went with a different play from what his coaches called on the two-point conversion. According to Dees, his coaches called a “pinch D;” but Dees said that he stayed outside and was able to stop Cochran from scoring. For his part, Coach Scott said that he was just thinking, “Run to the ball!” as the play was happening. With the win, Vista Ridge finishes the regular season 7-3 overall and 4-3 in district. Scott expressed great excitement for his team and the community for his team to be back in the playoffs. Next week, the Rangers will travel to take on the Dripping Springs Tigers (8-2, 7-1) in the bi-district round of UIL 6A-D2 playoffs on Friday, November 10, 2023.

Round Rock, meanwhile, finishes the regular season at 4-6 overall and 4-3 in district. Because of Vandegrift’s win over Round Rock Westwood, the Dragons qualify for the playoffs. Coach Moore expressed excitement at being able to compete in the playoffs, especially in light of the tough start to his team’s season. Next week, the Dragons will travel to face the Westlake Chaparrals in the UIL 6A-D1 playoffs on Friday, November 10, 2023.

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Round Rock