NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - It should come as no surprise that when Arkansas announced they were firing Head Coach Chad Morris that the recruits would soon start to leave.
Three East Texas recruits are among those looking for a new place to play college football.
Vandegrift and Rouse both began playing Varsity football in 2010. They faced each other the first four years of their existence as then-4A district rivals – but haven’t faced each other since their last showdown in 2013.
While that might not exactly make them “ancient” rivals, this first meeting between the Vipers and the Raiders in 13 years in this week’s VYPE Austin Central Texas Game of the Week comes as both team battle for a spot in the playoffs.
Coach Drew Sanders’ Vipers (2-2, 5-3) seem to slowly be rounding into a typical Vandegrift squad that’s poised for a deep playoff run. As a relatively young defense battled through injuries and growing pains, the Vipers’ double-barreled rushing attack featuring juniors Evan Williamson (91-620, 6.8 YPC, 12 TD) and Preston James (101-748, 7.4 YPC, 10 TD) dominated the offense. An injury to Williamson, however, led to an offensive overhaul.
Senior quarterback Collin Williams made his first start last week and promptly tossed the football all over Bible Stadium (12-20, 196 yds,, 2 TDs) against Leander. His first touchdown pass was to previous starting quarterback, senior Gavin Koester, who returned to his native spot at receiver. James, supplemented by a stable of reserve running backs, remains a dangerous back, especially with the Vipers’ newfound focus on the passing game.
Vandegrift’s rapidly improving defense pitched a shutout into the fourth quarter before giving way to the reserves. Junior Luke Davis (68 tackles, 2.0 TFL, Sack) anchors the emerging unit.
Rouse had run the gamut of success under original head coach Joshua Mann, enjoying moderate playoff success some years while enduring rougher seasons in others. First year head coach Mark Hopkins has the Raiders (2-2, 4-4) hovering on the edge of the playoffs in their first year as a 6A program – especially as quality losses to the likes of Waco Midway, undefeated Cedar Park and 1-loss Hutto were highly competitive.
Senior quarterback Chase Whitten (114-169, 1,372 yds., 17 TD, 4 INT) operates a potent passing attack with three primary targets (seniors Coen May and Aubryn Davis, plus sophomore Rhett Rogers.) Sophomore Amauri Dickson (115-760, 6.6 YPC, 8 TD) and Davis (65-525, 8.1 YPC, 5 TD) offer balance on the ground.
Senior Greyson Simpson (80 Tackles, 15.0 TFL, 11 Sacks) and junior Dylan White (107 T, 7.0 TFL, Sack) lead the Raiders’ feast or famine defense.
One of the more intriguing storylines heading into the 2026 season was the reunion of the first five Leander ISD schools in the same 6A district. This matchup between Vandegrift and Rouse stands out as these two programs essentially came of age together. With both battling for a playoff spot in our VYPE Austin Game of the Week, the intrigue will only grow.
What: Vandegrift vs. Rouse When: 6:40 Pregame, 7:00 Kickoff Where: Monroe Memorial Stadium, Vandegrift HS Who: Merle Bertrand Watch: https://www.vype.com/7pm-football-vandegrift-vs-rouse and also streaming on the KVUE+ App.
7:30PM - Football: Anderson vs. Cedar Creek
7:30PM - Football: Austin High vs. Buda Johnson
7:30PM - Football: Bowie vs. Akins
5:30PM | NFHS – 6AD2 Volleyball Bi-dist.: Brandeis vs. Pieper
6PM | NFHS – 6AD2 Volleyball Bi-dist.: Cedar Park vs. Fulshear
5:30PM | NFHS – 6AD1 Volleyball Bi-dist.: Davis vs. The Woodlands
6:30PM | NFHS – 6AD2 Volleyball Bi-dist.: Dripping Springs vs. Stony Point
6:30PM - Football: Foster vs. Cy Ranch 
5PM | NFHS – 6AD1 Volleyball Bi-dist.: MacArthur vs. Grand Oaks
6:30PM | NFHS – 5AD1 Volleyball Bi-dist.: McCallum vs. Georgetown
6PM | NFHS – 5AD1 Volleyball Bi-dist.: Mesquite vs. Woodrow Wilson
5:30PM | NFHS – 6AD1 Volleyball Bi-district: Rouse vs. Bridgeland
6:30PM | NFHS – 4AD1 Volleyball Bi-dist.: Sanger vs. Conrad
4PM | 5:30PM | 7PM - FR Football: Vandegrift vs. Cedar Park/Rouse
7PM | NFHS – 6AD2 Volleyball Bi-dist.: Vandegrift vs. Waller
