Vandegrift Blanks Cedar Ridge
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Updated: October 13, 2024
photos: Steve Thomas
Austin Vandegrift Humbles Round Rock Cedar Ridge
Just like the weather in Central Texas, the Austin Vandegrift Vipers remain hot. After experiencing growing pains early in the season, the Vipers are finding their stride at just the right time. Following a 49-46 double-overtime loss to Cedar Park in week two, the Vipers had won three consecutive games. On Friday night, the Vipers extended that streak to four games with a dominant 47-0 win over the Round Rock Cedar Ridge Raiders.
Entering Friday’s game, the Raiders were on a winning streak of their own. After losing their first three games of the season, the Raiders had won three-straight games over Round Rock ISD rivals Westwood, Round Rock, and Stony Point. Unfortunately, the Raiders were no match for the Vipers Friday night. From start to finish, the Vipers dominated both sides of the ball. The Vipers led 37-0 at halftime. Even on the opening drive, the Raiders were snake-bitten. On fourth down, the center snapped the ball over the punter’s head; and the punter was forced to kick the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
Offensively, quarterback Miles Toedecki lit it up through the air throwing for 178 yards and five touchdowns. Two of those touchdown passes were to receiver George Farley including the opening one on a 44-yard pass. Senior receiver Jack Rudberg, a bit of an unsung hero for the Vipers, got his chance to shine with two touchdown catches. After the game, Head Coach Drew Sanders praised Rudberg saying that Rudberg had been working hard throughout his career patiently waiting for his chance. Receiver Gavin Koester also recorded a touchdown catch, and running back Preston James III also recorded a score on the ground. Kicker Wylie Olson was one for two on field goals. Olson netted a 20-yard field goal for the game’s final score.
Defensively, the Vipers made life a nightmare for the Raiders. Vandegrift recorded two sacks and six tackles for loss. Vandegrift’s stout defensive line anchored by Arizona State commit Daeshon Morgan and the linebackers were able to put pressure on Cedar Ridge on nearly every play. Defensive back Tobias Gray added another interception to his tally, and the Vipers also recovered a fumble late in the game.
After the game, Coach Sanders praised his team for their growth throughout the season. Sanders said that his team took the constant preseason refrain from media and pundits about Vandegrift’s inexperience to heart and used it as motivation. Sanders also praised his team for persevering through struggles early in the season due to injuries and inexperience.
Next week, Vandegrift (5-1, 4-0) travels to Manor to take on the Manor Mustangs (1-5, 1-3.)
Cedar Ridge (3-4, 3-2) meanwhile will host Leander Vista Ridge (3-3, 2-2) at Dragon Stadium in Round Rock next Friday.
by Steve Thomas
Players Pictured
Vandegrift
#4 Brendan Fournier
#5 Ian Witt
#6 George Farley
#12 Miles Toedecki
#13 Gavin Koester
#17 Jack Rudberg
#20 Preston James III
#29 James Moore
#31 Tanner Hower
#47 Nicholas Zinda
#52 Nathan Sabbavarapu
#74 Will Wood
#79 Abib Garcia
#94 Hugo DeLaVara Vazquez
Cedar Ridge
#1 Reese Brooks
#12 Jaedyn Lambert
#13 Jaylen Broussard
#20 Aaron Montiel-Bravo
#22 Noah Devonish
#23 Davon Crank
#27 AJ Alviar
#54 Wyatt McKenzie
#97 Jonah Collis
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