Austin Vandegrift Shuts Out Round Rock McNeil

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 9, 2024

photos: Steve Thomas

On Friday night, the Austin Vandegrift Vipers improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in district with a dominant 28-0 victory over the Round Rock McNeil Mavericks (2-4, 2-2.) The Mavericks were without starting quarterback Jadon Sultz for a second week, but quarterback Jarell Gary had filled in admirably last week in the Mavericks’ 55-30 win over Round Rock Stony Point.

This week, the Vandegrift defense shut down the Mavericks and only allowed 141 yards of total offense. The Vipers also forced three interceptions. Defensive back Tobias Gray accounted for two of the interceptions. Following the game, Vandegrift Head Coach Drew Sanders praised Gray’s performance saying, “It was great to see Tobias step into a starting role tonight. He made two big interceptions right when we needed them. It was fun seeing him and his teammates celebrate.” Aidan Jones got the other interception.

Offensively, the Vipers’ rushing attack allowed them to dictate the flow of the game. In his second game back from injury, running back Brendan Fournier anchored the Vandegrift ground game and scored two touchdowns. Running back Justin Moore also scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter. In total, the Vipers rushed for 168 yards. Quarterback Miles Toedecki threw for 118 yards including a 44-yard touchdown pass to receiver George Farley.

Despite Vandegrift controlling most of the game, McNeil did have some opportunities. Late in the second quarter, the Mavericks used an up-tempo offense and put the Vipers on their heels. The Mavericks drove the ball inside the Vipers’ ten-yard line, but the Vipers stopped Gary short of the line to gain on 4th and 3 and the Vipers’ five-yard line. In the second half, the Mavericks stopped the Vipers twice on fourth down; but they were unable to capitalize on either turnover.

After the game, Coach Sanders praised his team’s growth throughout the season. Regarding where he has seen the most growth, Sanders said that the growth has been throughout the entire team. “With so many new starters the growth has been team wide. It’s been fun to see our new QB take over the offense and all our great senior leadership.”

Next week, the Vipers will return home to Monroe Stadium to face the Round Rock Cedar Ridge Raiders (3-3, 3-1.)

McNeil, meanwhile, will travel to Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park to face Leander Vista Ridge (2-3, 1-2.)

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Vandegrift

#0 Hollister Stephens
#2 Aidan Jones
#4 Brendan Fournier
#5 Ian Witt
#12 Miles Toedecki
#18 Hudson Ratcliff
#63 Austin Lewis
#71 Parker Cecil
#94 Hugo DeLaVara Vazquez