Tag Archives: Vandegrift football

Viper football beats Cedar Park for 2nd time in history

The Vandegrift Vipers celebrate a touchdown in the second quarter of a high school football game between the Cedar Park Timberwolves and the Vandegrift Vipers on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018 in Cedar Park, Texas.

By ZACH SMITH, Hill County News

Photos by Scott W. Coleman

As soon as the final whistle blew Friday night at Gupton Stadium, the far wall of white made up of Vandegrift players, students and fans exploded.

The Vipers beat Leander ISD rival Cedar Park 29-13 for the second time in the nine-year history of the rivalry. Vandegrift last beat the Timberwolves in 2014, the last time Cedar Park lost a regular season game.

“They talk a lot about Black Rain, but I’m very impressed with the Vandegrift defense tonight,” Vandegrift head coach Drew Sanders said. “Our defense showed up to play. We’ve got a fantastic defensive line and we’ve got six guys that can play at a high level and we rotated them all night. We didn’t get tired.”

Vandegrift Vipers head coach Drew Sanders during a high school football game between the Cedar Park Timberwolves and the Vandegrift Vipers on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018 in Cedar Park, Texas.

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Vandegrift football recaps season after playoffs

By SCOTT W. COLEMAN. Four Points News

No matter how it ended, Vandegrift head coach Drew Sanders said he’ll have many fond memories of the 2017 football season.

“Our last minute victories over Hays to earn our playoff spot, and over Johnson to earn our second 6A gold ball in school history were so fun. Our team never gave up and always played hard no matter the situation,” said Sanders. “When you play hard all the time, you are always in the game.”

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Preview: Vista Ridge at Vandegrift at Monroe Stadium Friday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.

By SCOTT W. COLEMAN, Four Points News 

In every victory this season, there has been one constant for Vandegrift: a solid ground game.

Vandegrift head coach Drew Sanders said after last week’s win over Leander that establishing the run game is crucial for his team. This Friday, things will be no different as the Vipers host a Vista Ridge team that can put up points in a hurry.

Vandegrift Vipers junior wide receiver Reese Watson (81) bats a pass intended for Leander Lions junior wide receiver Ismael Sanchez (17) away in the end zone during a high school football game between the Leander Lions and the Vandegrift Vipers at Bible Stadium in Leander, Texas, on October 13, 2017. Photo by Scott W. Coleman 

Leander Lions senior wide receiver Dalton Flowers (6) leaps high to bring in a pass over Vandegrift Vipers sophomore defensive back Tyler Mongauzy (33) during a high school football game between the Leander Lions and the Vandegrift Vipers at Bible Stadium in Leander, Texas, on October 13, 2017. Photo by Scott W. Coleman 

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VHS Football Preview Lehman at Vandegrift Monroe Stadium Friday, Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m.

 

VHS coach Drew Sanders talking to Viper players at the Sept. 22 game vs Harker Heights. Photo by Bill Seitzler

Vandegrift players taking the field at the Sept. 22 game vs Harker Heights. Photo by Bill Seitzler

With arguably the toughest test on their 25-6A schedule out of the way, the Vipers (2-3, 0-1) return to Monroe Stadium for a homecoming matchup with Lehman on Friday.

Justin Moore’s mastery of the offense has been on display the last three weeks, and it will be needed again, as the Vipers have struggled in all three losses with the run game. In two wins, Vandegrift amassed 361 yards on the ground. In three losses, the Vipers averaged just 40 rushing yards in each outing.

“Justin is getting better with each game and being able to handle the pressure of being a 6A starting quarterback. It’s a big job and he’s been up to the task,” said Vipers head coach Drew Sanders.

Defensively, Vandegrift has shown it can stand toe to toe with one of the best teams in the state. Lehman won’t be that kind of test for Vandegrift this week, but coach Sanders and the rest of the staff will be certain to focus on avoiding any sort of letdown while facing the 1-4 Lobos.

Lehman’s lone victory came against Austin Akins in Week 3, a game that marked the Lobos’ best offensive performance of the season, as they outscored Akins 42-35. Continue reading →

VHS Football Preview: Cedar Park at Vandegrift Monroe Stadium ~ Tonight, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Last year, Justin Moore was pushed into action as Vandegrift’s quarterback for the first time when starter Alex Fernandes was unable to play against Cedar Park. This year, Moore returns to face the Timberwolves as Vandegrift’s starter.

Last week showed promise, with Moore going 11-for-22 for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns against a Permian defense that returned nine starters from a year ago. The rushing game was never really in gear, though, with the Vipers amassing just 28 net yards on 22 carries. That will need to get better this week for Vandegrift to have a chance of beating the Timberwolves.

Both teams are coming off disappointing losses, with Vandegrift driving nearly 700 miles round trip to Odessa and falling 28-24 to the Permian Panthers.

Vandegrift Vipers senior defensive lineman Zach Hildebrand (55) erupts in celebration on the sideline following a Vandegrift touchdown during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.

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