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It’s doubtful anyone could have predicted that Cedar Park vs. Vandegrift would become one of the most eagerly anticipated Texas high school football annual showdowns when they met for the first time in 2010. Cedar Park, after all, was building towards its apex as a 4A/5A power last decade, culminating in 4A and 5A state championships in 2012 and 2015.
Vandegrift, on the other hand, was a brand-new program carved primarily from Cedar Park HS in 2009 and initially practicing at Cedar Park’s facilities. For years, the one-sided “rivalry” was literally Big Brother vs. Little Brother.
But as Head Coach Drew Sanders gradually turned the Vipers into a perennial power, the rivalry flipped in Vandegrift’s favor. The Vipers defeated the Timberwolves for several straight years, reached the 6A state championship game in 2022 and won its first title in 2024.
With Cedar Park joining Vandegrift in the 6A ranks and in the newly reconfigured District 24-6A this year, the Timberwolves and the Vipers will renew their marquee matchup for a 17th time Friday night (10/16) from Monroe Memoria Stadium in our VYPE Austin Central Texas Game of the Week.
Undefeated Cedar Park (3-0, 7-0) might be the “surprise” team of the Austin area. (Actually, there must be something about the word “Cedar,” as Cedar Ridge is also undefeated; but I digress.) After reaching the state semifinals in 2020 under former Head Coach Carl Abseck, the rebuilding T’wolves under 6th year Head Coach Michael Quintero remained a playoff caliber program, albeit one that had exited the postseason relatively early the past few seasons. Once again, however, Cedar Park looks poised to make a deep playoff run.
Senior quarterback David Cooper (108-156, 1,635 Yds., 18 TD, 3 INT) is reaping the benefits of two previous seasons as the starting signal caller. He’s divided most of his targets between seniors Jonah Johnson (24-484, 20.2 YPC, 9 TD) and Wesley Hebert (21-389, 18.5 YPC, 4 TD). Yet another senior, Lucas Viloria (127-644, 5.1 YPC, 10 TDs), paces the rushing attack, with significant support from senior Kysen Pham (68-417, 6.1 YPC, 5 TD) and Cooper (59-438, 7.4 YPC, 7 TD).
While Cedar Park’s defense hasn’t yet matched the performance of last decade’s vaunted Black Rain, they have notched two shutouts this season while the starters have limited their opponents’ scoring, as was the case in last week’s scintillating win over a high-octane Hutto club. Senior Deshaun Stewart (75T, 5.0 TFL, 3 Sacks) anchors the defense with support from sack leader Jimi Aluko.
Vandegrift (2-0, 4-2), meanwhile, appears to be mimicking their trajectory from a year ago. Whereas Viper teams from earlier this decade simply overwhelmed their opponents, last year’s state semifinalists overcame two tough losses as they rounded into championship contenders.
This year’s squad fell to San Antonio Johnson and dropped a heartbreaker to Round Rock in non-district play but have since dominated East View and Vista Ridge. Senior quarterback Gavin Koester (61-105, 676 Yds., 4 TD, 5 INT), who played both quarterback and wide receiver his sophomore year and missed nearly all last season with an injury, is developing quickly behind center. It helps that the Viper offense has two explosive junior running backs in Even Williamson (88-589, 6.7 YPC, 12 TD) and Preston James (69-534, 7.7 YPC, 7 TD).
Like Cedar Park, the Vandegrift defense isn’t yet the lights-out unit of years past – but it’s getting there despite a rash of injuries. Senior Griffin Gorrebeeck is the heart of the defense, supported by juniors such as Colt Stevens, Luke Davis and Gavin Law who played extensively last year.
While Cedar Park dominated the series early and still holds the overall series edge at 9-7, Vandegrift has won four of the last five meetings. The one exception was when the T’wolves edged the Vipers 49-46 two years ago in what would be the only blemish on Vandegrift’s 15-1 championship campaign.
This one is a serious sibling rivalry.
What: Vandegrift vs. Cedar Park
When: 6:40 Pregame, 7:00 Kickoff
Where: Monroe Memorial Stadium, Vandegrift HS
Who: Josh Willard, Brad Cone, Cecil Coconougher (Cedar Park Broadcast);
Merle Bertrand, Matt Sanders, Brian Spieles (Vandegrift Broadcast)
Watch: https://www.vype.com/7pm-football-cedar-park-vs-vandegrift-2678079583 The Cedar Park broadcast is also streaming on the KVUE+ App.
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