Cedar Park Gets Critical Win Over Austin Vandegrift

Timberwolves remain perfect with win over Vipers

The Cedar Park Timberwolves are hitting their stride at just the right time. Last week, the Timberwolves secured a dramatic 37-35 win over Hutto to improve to 7-0. Regarding his team's success, Head Coach Michael Quintero said, "They're playing with confidence."  This week, Cedar Park faced a familiar foe, the Austin Vandegrift Vipers. The two schools had met every year since Vandegrift's first varsity season in 2010. However, this marked the first time since 2015 that the teams squared off as district opponents. Not only was it the first district meeting between the programs in more than a decade, but it also carried major District 24-6A championship implications, as Cedar Park and Vandegrift entered the contest as the only remaining unbeaten teams in district play.

Given the chance to seize control of the district title race, Cedar Park rose to the occasion. In a tough physical contest, the Timberwolves prevailed 23-10 over the Vipers. Cedar Park's stout defense held Vandegrift's offense to 237 total yards. Throughout the game, the Timberwolves' defense wreaked havoc in the back field. Coach Quintero said that a major part of the strategy was to get pressure on the Vipers. The Timberwolves' defense forced two turnovers (a fumble and an interception) and tallied multiple sacks and tackles for loss.

Offensively, Cedar Park showcased a balanced attack. Quarterback David Cooper  threw for 179 yards and a touchdown which went to receiver Brayden Jahns. As a team, the Timberwolves rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown. Running back Lucas Viloria was the main workhorse for the Timberwolves' rushing attack with 76 yards. However, running back Kysen Pham accounted for Cedar Park's lone rushing touchdown. Kicker Jack Girardeau also netted three field goals.

Vandegrift struck first when running back Preston James capped the opening drive with a 15-yard touchdown run. Cedar Park answered by moving into Vandegrift territory but had to settle for a field goal. The Timberwolves broke through on their next possession, as Cooper connected with Jahns for a 26-yard touchdown pass to give Cedar Park its first lead of the night.

That advantage didn't last long. Vandegrift responded with a scoring drive of its own, and kicker Landon Klein tied the game at 10-10 with a 39-yard field goal.

With the score even once again, Cedar Park embarked on a methodical seven-minute drive and regained the lead on a 21-yard field goal by Girardeau. The Vipers appeared poised to answer before halftime after recovering a fumble in Timberwolves territory and driving inside the 15-yard line. However, a penalty stalled the march and forced a field-goal attempt. Klein missed the initial kick and then missed again after a running-into-the-kicker penalty gave him a second chance.

Vandegrift's defense came up with a huge stand to open the second half, stopping Viloria short of the goal line on fourth-and-goal after Cedar Park had driven to the Vipers' two-yard line. But the Timberwolves' defense quickly swung momentum back in its favor on the next possession, as defensive back James Kukla recovered a fumble. Cedar Park capitalized on the turnover with a 24-yard field goal to extend its lead.

The Timberwolves put the game away in the fourth quarter. Running back Kysen Pham scored on a five-yard touchdown run, and defensive back CJ Rogers sealed the victory by intercepting Vandegrift's final comeback attempt in the end zone.

Next week, Cedar Park (8-0, 4-0) will return home to Gupton Stadium to host the Georgetown East View Patriots (3-4, 1-2.)

Vandegrift (4-3, 2-1) will travel to AC Bible Stadium in Leander to face the Leander Lions (1-6, 0-3.)

Players Pictured

Cedar Park

#5 Ross Surell
#8 David Cooper
#11 Deshaun Stewart
#12 Brayden Jahns
#22 Hayden Hollander
#41 Micah Morales
#43 Jack Girardeau
#44 Olujimi Aluko
#53 Brock Bungo

Austin Vandegrift

#0 Griffin Gorrebeeck
#1 Gavin Koester
#2 Preston James
#8 Jake Venuto
#9 Tyler Salo
#63 Kaden O'Rourke