The Vandegrift Vipers have one of the most explosive offenses in the state of Texas. They almost didn’t need it as the Vipers rode a smothering defense and solid special teams play to a 58-0 shutout of Cedar Ridge Friday night at Vandegrift’s Monroe Memorial Stadium.
After a bad snap over the punter’s head led a Safety and a quick 2-0 Viper lead, Vandegrift’s offense drove the short field inside the 10 yard-line. There, Bryce Altrudo fell on a fumbled rush in the End Zone for a 9-0 lead. The “Silver Snake” defense next recovered a fumble at the Raiders’ 19 yard-line, Deuce Adams fired a 12-yard strike to brother Eli Adams for a 16-0 Vandegrift first quarter lead and the rout was on.
After Adam Scott returned Aiden Jones’ blocked punt for a TD and a 23-0 Vandegrift lead to open the second quarter, Jones set the table again with a fumble recovery. Adams (13-16, 11 Yds., 3 TDs) would toss the first of his two TD passes to Mile Coleman. Later, as David Overhauser recovered two Cedar Ridge fumbles and Will Lyons fell on another one, Sr. Drew Mestemaker connected with Brock Chilton and George Farley; and RB Brendan Fournier rushed for a TD in as the offense certainly held up its end of the bargain.
The win combined with Round Rock’s loss to McNeil means that Vandegrift (8-0, 5-0) has clinched at least a tie for its 5th straight district title and sets up a showdown vs. their oldest rival, Vista Ridge, Friday night (1-27) at Gupton Stadium. Cedar Ridge (2-6, 0-5) will look to regroup and play spoiler against Round Rock.