Round Rock McNeil Stuns Austin Vandegrift
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Updated: October 8, 2025
photos: Steve Thomas
Round Rock McNeil Stuns Austin Vandegrift
There’s a new team gunning for the top spot in District 25-6A. For the past three years, the Austin Vandegrift Vipers have dominated the district going 22-0 in district play and claiming three-consecutive district titles. This year, Vandegrift started 2-0 in district play and appeared to enroute to yet another district title. However, on Friday night, the Round Rock McNeil Mavericks rode into Monroe Stadium and knocked off the Vipers 17-14. The Vipers had not lost at Monroe since their bi-district playoff loss to Lake Travis in 2023.
The win was McNeil’s first-ever against Vandegrift. The teams had met nine times prior with Vandegrift winning every game by a decent margin. The win is also another milestone in the renaissance of McNeil football.
Now in his sixth season as coach, Head Coach Scott Hermes has brought new life to the Mavericks. After an 18-year playoff drought, the Mavericks have reached the playoffs each of the last two seasons. Hermes has also assembled a talentedsquad. “We’ve got a lot of talent, and we’ve talked with our guys a lot about turning talent into wins,” Hermes said. On Friday night, the Mavericks accomplished that goal.
In the first half, the McNeil defense shut down the Vipers’ offense. Vandegrift had five offensive possessions in the first half. Three of those drives ended on a turnover on downs, and another drive ended in an interception. That interception by defensive back Johnny McFarland set up the first half’s only touchdown. Following the interception, quarterback/receiver Jarrell Gary connected with quarterback Jadon Sultz for a 24-yard touchdown pass. Despite their success, the Mavericks also suffered a major blow shortly before halftime. Sultz suffered a leg injury on a scramble play and did not return for the rest of the game.
On the opening drive of the second half, new McNeil quarterback Calvin Cervini extended the Mavericks’ lead with a 19-yard touchdown pass to receiver Zach Christie. Following the touchdown, Vandegrift began to find their stride. On the ensuing drive, running back Justin Moore got the Vipers on the scoreboard with a three-yard touchdown run. After the touchdown, the Vipers blocked kicker Bryce Wilson’s 50-yard field goal attempt.
Late in the third quarter, Vandegrift’s defense made another big play when they recovered a McNeil fumble at the Vipers’ six-yard line. Following the turnover, Moore tied the game with a 12-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing drive, however, Wilson netted a 48-yard field goal which put McNeil back in front. Vandegrift had two additional chances to tie or retake the lead in the fourth quarter but were unable to take advantage. The first drive ended with a turnover on downs, and McNeil defensive back Aden Taylor sealed the game with an interception.
With the win, McNeil improves to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in district. Next week, the Mavericks will host the Vista Ridge Rangers (4-1, 2-1.)
Vandegrift, meanwhile falls to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in district. Next week, the Vipers will travel to Dragon Stadium in Round Rock to face the Round Rock Cedar Ridge Raiders (3-3, 2-2.)
by Steve Thomas
Players Pictured
Vandegrift
#3 Justin Moore
#6 Parker Davis
#12 Miles Teodecki
#20 Marshall Linenberger
#24 Max Newman
#25 Ayden Mitchell
#26 Henri Renel
#63 Kevin O'Rourke
#74 Will Wood
#77 Carter Mannon
#81 Hudson Moore
McNeil
#0 Aden Taylor
#5 Jarell Gary
#7 Ja Corian Hubbard
#8 Marshall Holland
#9 Zach Christie
#10 Jadon Sultz
#20 Keyvon Myers
#32 Michael Jones
#82 Bowen Wheatley
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