BEHIND THE LENS: South Houston knocks out Sam Rayburn

Everything old is new again.

Westlake’s throttling of a decent Stony Point squad cemented the Chaps atop our final Power Rankings to cap off a year of redemption after last year’s first-round exit. But we’re smart enough to realize that the Power Rankings mean about as much as polling during an election year. And like politicians, who repeatedly exclaim “the only poll that matter is on Election Day,” football coaches, players and fans will all say that the upcoming playoff games are all that matter.

The next four teams -- Dripping Springs, Cedar Ridge and Cedar Park – all held serve behind Westlake, all are in Division 2, and all are potentially on a collision course with the Chaps. Hutto, surging after their impressive knockout of Vandegrift, rounds out the Top 5.

Speaking of surging, Lake Travis has regrouped and climbs back up to #6, ahead of Round Rock who slips a couple of spots after their showdown with Cedar Ridge. Weiss, the highest-ranked 5A team, inches up to #8 with Bowie up a spot to #9. Vandegrift, still dangerous, remains in the Top 10.

Anderson and Wimberley, the top 4A club, both won and stay pat. The biggest news from the bottom half of the rankings concerns Rouse, who struggled mightily in their season finale without their senior quarterback. Since rankings are snapshots, the Raiders dropped – but remain in these final rankings because they deserve that much.

Rouse’s fall allowed the next five teams – Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Bastrop, Lago Vista and Hays -- to all move up. #18 Legacy Ranch would have moved up with them but came up just short against Boerne to cap off an impressive inaugural regular season. Pflugerville also moved up a spot with Rouse closing out our final Power Rankings of the season.

The private schools started their playoffs last week and UIL teams start their Second Season on Thursday night (11/12).

Thanks for following along all season and off we go to the playoffs to determine the only rankings that matter.

VYPE Austin Top 20 Combined Class 4A-6A
*Last parenthesis indicates most recent game result

1. (1) Westlake Chaparrals (6A) 9-1 (W 68-33 @ Stony Point)

2. (2) Dripping Springs Tigers (6A) 8-1 (W 74-6 vs. Del Valle)

3. (3) Cedar Ridge Raiders (6A) 9-1 (W 35-32 vs. #4 Round Rock)

4. (4) Cedar Park Timberwolves (6A) 10-0 (BYE)

5. (6) Hutto Hippos (6A) 8-2 (W 49-10 vs. #7 Vandegrift)

6. (8) Lake Travis Cavaliers (6A) 5-3-1 (W 58-0 vs. Westwood)

7. (5) Round Rock Dragons (6A) 6-4 (L 35-32 @ #3 Cedar Ridge)

8. (9) Weiss Wolves (5A-1) 8-2 (W 62-0 vs. Pflugerville Connally)

9. (10) Bowie Bulldogs (6A) 8-2 (W 31-0 vs. Buda Johnson)

10. (7) Vandegrift Vipers (6A) 6-4 (L 49-10 @ #6 Hutto)

11. (11) Anderson Trojans (5A-1) 8-2 (W 56-10 @ Lehman)

12. (12) Wimberley Texans (4A-2) 9-0 (W 65-0 @ Eastside)

13. (14) Liberty Hill Panthers (5A-2) 6-4 (W 63-13 vs. Veterans Memorial)

14. (15) Georgetown Eagles (5A-2) 6-4 (W 28-14 vs. Killeen)

15. (16) Bastrop Bears (5A-2) 6-4 (W 2-0 F vs. Austin LASA)

16. (17) Lago Vista Vikings (4A-2) 8-2 (W 72-0 vs. Austin Achieve)

17. (19) Hays Hawks (6A) 6-4 (W 76-0 vs. Akins)

18. (18) Legacy Ranch Wranglers (5A-2) 5-5 (L 32-27 at Boerne)

19. (20) Pflugerville Panthers (5A-2) 6-4 (W 60-12 vs. Crockett)

20. (13) Rouse Raiders (6A) 4-6 (L 31-0 vs. East View)

On the Radar: Crockett (5-5), Manor (5-5)

VYPE Austin Top 5 Private Schools
*Last parenthesis indicates most recent game result

1. (1) Regents Knights (TAPPS D2) 8-1 BYE

2. (2) St. Michael’s Warriors (TAPPS D1) 6-4 (BYE)

3. (3) Hyde Park Panthers (TAPPS D2) 7-5 (L 37-6 vs. Second Baptist)

4. (4) Hill Country Christian Knights (TAPPS FL) 7-3 (W 43-19 vs. Frassati Catholic)

5. (5) Brentwood Christian (TAPPS FL) 8-2 (W 67-26 vs. Cathedral)

On the Radar: St. Andrew’s (6-4)