VYPE Austin Central Texas Game of the Week Recap: Revived Round Rock dispatches McNeil

Round Rock has life after all; McNeil still has work to do to challenge the district powers. Those were the main takeaways after Round Rock cruised past McNeil 31-17 in an important District 25-6A matchup Friday night (9/19) in our VYPE Austin Central Texas Game of the Week.

The Dragons jumped on top early and never looked back. Senior quarterback Jack Appl found senior wide receiver Daniel Barry behind the Mavericks defense for a 48-yard strike to open the scoring midway through the first quarter. The Dragons were on the move again before McNeil’s sophomore defensive back Kaden Kerney wrestled the ball away from a Round Rock receiver for an interception in Mavs territory.

A 30-yard Jadon Sultz to Zach Christie pass followed by a 40-yard run by Jarell Gary set up McNeil at the Dragon 5-yard line. However, the drive stalled after a personal foul penalty and the Mavs settled for a Bryce Wilson 37-yard field goal to make the score 7-3.

Round Rock responded with a nice mix of Appl passes and runs by Ryan Sirwaitis, Brady Cochran and Appl. Sirwaitis punched it in from 5-yards out and Cade Zamora tacked on the PAT to nudge the Dragons lead to 14-3.

Coach Cody Moore rolled the dice, and his Dragons fell on the ensuing onside kick ricochet at midfield. Round Rock quickly moved the ball deep into the red zone before McNeil’s defense stiffened. Zamora knocked a 22-yarder through the uprights to increase Round Rock’s lead to 17-3.

McNeil recovered the next onside kick attempt, but the Dragon defense recorded a couple of sacks to force a punt and prevent the Mavs from capitalizing. With Appl spreading the ball around to a variety of receivers, Sirwaitis capped off a 78-yard drive with an 8-yard run around the left side to send the Dragons into the locker room with a 24-3 lead.

After the teams traded possessions, Alexander Cochran’s short run put the game away for Round Rock late in the third quarter.

A Sultz quarterback keeper and Sultze-to-Christie touchdown pass made the final score more respectable.

Round Rock (1-1, 1-3) squares off against Cedar Ridge Friday (9/26) from the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex; McNeil (1-1, 2-2) faces Stony Point Friday from Dragon Stadium. VYPE will broadcast both games.