VYPE Central Texas Game of the Week Preview: McNeil vs. Round Rock

District 25-6A – previously known as 13-6A – has essentially been a two-team race between Vandegrift and Round Rock for the past seven seasons. We may know whether it’s time to toss McNeil into the mix when the McNeil Mavericks challenge the Round Rock Dragons Friday night (9/19) in the VYPE Central Texas Game of the Week from Dragon Stadium.

Longtime former Vandegrift defensive coordinator Scott Hermes has completely resurrected the McNeil program. Building slowly, the Mavericks (1-0, 2-1) have reached the playoffs each of the last two seasons. Senior quarterback Jadon Sultz (56-86, 803 Yds, 7 TD, 4 INT) and a fleet of running backs – Jarrell Gary, Jr., Aden Taylor and Zylen Hall – power a veteran offense that’s averaging 44 points and 490 yards per game. (McNeil posted a 70-spot vs. Westwood last week.)

They’ve needed every single one of those points, however, as McNeil’s young defense has given up 43 points per game. Look for them to get stronger as the season wears on.

Round Rock, on the other hand, has had a frustrating season so far. Head Coach Cody Moore’s Dragons (0-1, 0-3) are surprisingly still looking for their first win of the season after losses at Killeen Shoemaker, a 7-point loss against Temple and a gut wrenching 1-point defeat at Vista Ridge last week.

The Dragons still have time to turn the season around under the veteran leadership of senior quarterback Jack Appl and their senior-led defense. But with Vandegrift returning to form, an undefeated 3-0 Vista Ridge, an improved Hutto squad led by a defending state champion defensive coordinator and McNeil all in front of them, Round Rock likely feels an added sense of urgency heading into this rivalry game.

When McNeil clashes with Round Rock Friday night from Dragon, it will go a long way towards determining if it’s going to be the same ol’ same old in this year’s District 25-6A race – or if the upstart Mavericks will join the mix.