Cedar Park gets Win over Vandegrift
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Updated: September 9, 2024
photos: Steve Thomas
Cedar Park Snaps Skid Against Austin Vandegrift
The Cedar Park Timberwolves have only played two games this season, but they have already experienced the full gamut of emotions. Last week, in their season opener, the Timberwolves lost a 45-43 heartbreaker to Killeen Harker Heights in five overtimes. On Friday night against the Austin Vandegrift Vipers, the Timberwolves once again found themselves in an overtime thriller. This time, however, the Timberwolves prevailed 49-46 in double OT.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Cedar Park against their Leander ISD rivals. Entering Friday’s game, the Timberwolves led the all-time series 8-6; but Vandegrift had won the last three meetings by an average score of 43-8.
Throughout the night, the young Vandegrift squad was snake-bitten by penalties and miscues. On the opening drive, the defense forced the Timberwolves to punt; but the Vipers muffed the punt. After Cedar Park recovered the ball, running back Trae Hill broke free for a 35-yard touchdown run. Vandegrift quickly responded when receiver Thomas Buechler broke free for a long touchdown catch. Later in the first quarter, quarterback Miles Toedecki put Vandegrift in front with a 19-yard touchdown pass to receiver George Farley.
Early in the second quarter, the Vipers once again forced Cedar Park to punt; but the Vipers were flagged for roughing the kicker. Cedar Park took advantage, and Hill tied the game on a one-yard run. Both teams traded touchdowns before halftime and went into the break tied 21-21.
On the opening drive of the second half, sophomore running back Griffin Gorrebeeck put Vandegrift back in front with a 13-yard touchdown run. Cedar Park responded with a sustained drive, and Hill capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
Early in the fourth quarter, Gorrebeeck broke free for a 52-yard touchdown run; and the Vipers retook a 35-28 lead. Later in the quarter, the Vipers had a chance to take a ten-point lead; but kicker Wiley Olsen missed a 49-yard field goal. On the ensuing drive, Trae Hill once again tied the game at 35-35 with a 12-yard touchdown run. With six seconds remaining in regulation, the Vipers had a chance to win the game; but Olsen missed again from 41 yards.
In overtime, penalties and miscues were once again Vandegrift’s undoing. On the opening drive of the first overtime, defensive lineman Daeshon Morgan made a massive interception to seemingly end Cedar Park’s drive. However, the Vipers were flagged for offside. Cedar Park Head Coach Michael Quintero described the rollercoaster of emotions saying, “I thought, ‘Not again,’” followed by a massive sense of relief. Trae Hill found the end zone again shortly thereafter. The Timberwolves got the two-point conversion and went ahead 43-35. Vandegrift responded with another touchdown pass from Toedecki to Farley, and Toedecki found receiver Brock Chilton for the two-point conversion
In the second overtime, Vandegrift drove the ball inside the ten-yard line; but a bad snap and a false start pushed the Vipers back to fourth and 26. Kicker Noah Kalberer netted a 43-yard field goal to put Vandegrift back in front.
Needing only a touchdown to win, the Timberwolves wasted little time sealing the victory. Sophomore quarterback David Cooper connected with receiver Bowen Travis for a 26-yard touchdown, and the entire home side of Gupton Stadium from the press box to the sidelines erupted in jubilant celebration. After the game, Hill said, “Words can’t even begin to describe the joy.” Hill credited his offensive line for his performance and also said that the loss last week helped to light a fire under him.
Next week, Cedar Park will be back at Gupton Stadium for their final non-district test against Huntsville (1-1).
Vandegrift, meanwhile, will open district play against Round Rock Stony Point (1-1) on Thursday, September 12, at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.
by Steve Thomas
NOTE: a postgame interview with Coach Michael Quintero is in this week's Central Texas Huddle
Players Pictured
Cedar Park
#7 Jamal Porter
#8 David Cooper
#21 Trae Hill
#22 Hayden Hollander
#24 Grant Fuller
#46 Jimmy Aluko
Vandegrift
#1 Brock Chilton
#12 Miles Toedecki
#19 Griffin Gorrebeeck
#23 Justin Moore
#63 Austin Lewis
#77 Carter Mannon
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