Two years ago, the Buda Johnson Jaguars were part of a ridiculously overstuffed 9-team District 26-6A that included the likes of Westlake, Lake Travis, Dripping Springs, Anderson, Bowie and others. So, it was good news/bad news when redistricting moved the Jaguars into District 29-6A. While the Jags have fared well in their smaller, less top-heavy new digs; they also found themselves nomads of sorts. Competing against teams from San Marcos through New Braunfels and northern San Antonio, Buda Johnson was often overlooked by folks in Austin and San Antonio alike.
Before Johnson returns to a more levelled out District 26-6A next year, they hope to close the door on their southern excursion with a triumphant 29-6A title. They can take a huge step towards that goal when the Jags face the Schertz Clemens Buffalos in this week’s VYPE Live Series Spotlight.
It’s not unusual that Coach Austin Yager’s Jaguars (2-1, 15-4-2) have a lot of starters back from last year’s regional finalists. What is unusual is how young those starters still are. Second baseman Luke Levasser and outfielder Gannon Plummer are the only two returning senior starters while the rest of the infield – all still juniors – are back as well. The Jags should still be a force to be reckoned with when they return to District 26-6A next season.
Defending district champion Clemens isn’t going to give up its district title without a fight. Like Johnson, Coach Eric Zimmerman’s Buffaloes (5-0, 16-5-1) return a plethora of young players from last year’s Area finalists, including 29-6A Newcomer of the Year RJ Grant and pitcher Hunter Lauinger, the only two returning senior starters.
Clemens has already easily dispatched second-place Cibolo Steele in their first meeting, and swept 4th place San Marcos and 5th place Canyon. That means if Johnson is going to overtake Clemens, they’ll likely have to take matters into their own hands with this series.
What: Buda Johnson vs. Schertz Clemens
When: Tuesday 3/24 and Friday 3/27, 6:50 pregame
Where: Tues. @ Clemens; Fri. @ Johnson
Who: AJ Arevalo
Watch: Broadcast Lineup on https://www.vype.com/
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Buda Johnson closed out Spring Break with a dominating Saturday afternoon win over Westlake. That win, coupled with a Rouse and Liberty Hill series split, propelled the Jags back to the top of this week’s Baseball Power Rankings. Dripping Springs continued to defy gravity – and the graduation of a massive senior class – to climb to second, ahead of both the Raiders and the Panthers. (Odds are the latter two will be separated into Division 1 and Division 2 should they make the playoffs; reason #1,023 that the UIL needs to get rid of the artificial divisions plaguing the regular season races and playoff matchups.) Lake Travis notched solid wins over Lake Belton and Vandegrift to surge into the Top 5.
Weiss dispatched Elgin to climb a spot just ahead of Georgetown, who split with crosstown rival East View. (Have we mentioned how treacherous district play can be?) Bowie bounced back from a tough series against Lake Travis to sweep Del Valle and move to #8 ahead of Round Rock, who salvaged a split with McNeil. (Have we mentioned how treacherous… yeah, we did.) Anderson continued to overmatch the rest of their district to move into the Top 10.
Hendrickson slipped to #11 just ahead of a pack of 6A clubs -- Cedar Ridge, Westwood, Vandegrift and Vista Ridge – who seem intent on bludgeoning each other in District 25-6A play.
With Spring Break behind them, teams have one “normal” week of games on tap before Good Friday in a couple of weeks adjusts the schedules for some squads. Here’s how they stand as we approach the end of March.
VYPE's Austin Baseball Rankings
(Last week’s rankings in parentheses)
1. (2) Buda Johnson Jaguars (6A) 15-4-2 (Def. Westlake)
2. (3) Dripping Springs Tigers (6A) 16-4-1 (Swept Austin High)
3. (1) Rouse Raiders (5A) 15-3 (Split w/#4 Liberty Hill)
4. (4) Liberty Hill Panthers (5A) 13-4-1 (Split w/#1 Rouse)
5. (6) Lake Travis Cavaliers (6A) 11-8-1 (Def. Lake Belton; def. #15 Vandegrift)
6. (7) Weiss Wolves (5A) 16-3-1 (Swept Elgin)
7. (5) Georgetown Eagles (5A) 18-3 (Split w/East View)
8. (9) Bowie Bulldogs (6A) 14-5-1 (Swept Del Valle)
9. (8) Round Rock Dragons (6A) 12-8 (Lost G2 @ McNeil; won G1 @ #12 Cedar Ridge)
10. (11) Anderson Trojans (5A) 13-6 (Swept Crockett)
11. (10) Hendrickson Hawks (5A) 11-5-2 (Lost vs. McCallum)
12. (12) Cedar Ridge Raiders (6A) 12-6-2 (Won G2 vs. #13 Westwood; lost G1 vs. #8 Round Rock)
13. (13) Westwood Warriors (6A) 14-7-1 (Lost G2 @ #12 Cedar Ridge; won G1 @ Manor)
14. (15) Vandegrift Vipers (6A) 9-9 (Lost vs. #6 Lake Travis; won G1 vs. #14 Vista Ridge)
15. (14) Vista Ridge Rangers (6A) 11-8-1 (Won G2 vs. Stony Point; lost G1 vs. #15 Vandegrift)
On the radar: San Marcos Rattlers (12-9-1); Hays Hawks (5A) 10-7-1; McCallum Knights (9-5-4); Manor New Tech (12-3)
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