MEET THE AD: Spring Branch's Hershey has done it all in high school sports

Nov 08, 2019

Spring Branch athletic director Paige Hershey is one of the most unique administrators in the state of Texas.

Let that sink in...

Ok, so she played four sports in high school before playing basketball in college at Rice University. Upon graduation, she took her first job in Spring Branch ISD as a junior high coach at Spring Oaks.

"I was a role player in college and because of that, I was still hungry to play even after I graduated," she said. "After I interviewed with SBISD, I got a call and was hired to coach in junior high. I wanted to be a high school coach, but I took it and that launched my career."

What a coaching career it was.

Hershey would advance to the high school level and become an assistant for girls' basketball. Two years later, she would become the head coach of the Tigers, where she would patrol the sidelines for the next 14 years.

While at Spring Woods, Hershey would also be a volleyball assistant (State Champ), the head coach of the softball (Regional Finals) and cross-country teams (Regional Qualifiers).

"Spring Branch has been an incredible fit for me," she said. "My passion for athletics has never waned. From listening to our coaches to motivational speakers, I still get pumped. I love coming to work."

What makes Spring Branch ISD so special?

"It's sort of 'Mayberry ISD'," she said of the small-town feel of SBISD. "There is a lot of care and concern for each other between the communities. We are trying to transform lives through the power of sports."

She's doing just that.

INSTANT REACTION: Aledo Outlasts Ennis in Overtime

FRISCO - A gusty and stellar performance by running back Jase McClellan was almost spoiled at the Ford Center at the Star by Collin Drake and the Ennis Lions, as Aledo survived with a closer-than-expected 43-36 overtime win to win the 5A Division II Region II championship.

McClellan was iffy coming into the game but suited up and started off well for Aledo (13-1), scoring three first half rushing touchdowns. Turnovers, though, plagued Aledo in this one, as it coughed up the ball three times, resulting in 14 Ennis (12-2) points, which kept the game much closer than it should have been.

Twice in the third quarter, McClellan fumbled with one being inside the five yard line, leading to one of the Ennis touchdowns. Ennis' comeback charge was led by Drake, who threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns.

Aledo seemed to play things conservatively down the stretch as Ennis made its comeback. But when his team needed it, Aledo quarterback Jake Bishop put the game on his shoulders with a 17-yard touchdown run in the first overtime. Bishop scrambled right at first but could not find anyone, so he reversed field and saw nothing but daylight on the way to his second rushing score of the night.

For Ennis though, as well as Drake performed throughout the game, it needed him to get his fifth touchdown of the night to extend the game. On Ennis' lone overtime possession and facing fourth down, Drake had an open receiver on a slant, but Jo Jo Earle batted away the late pass and seal the game.

Aledo will play Lubbock-Cooper in the State Semifinals with the game most likely being played in Abilene next weekend.

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Lake Travis Not Skipping A Beat With Yarnell Under Center

Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.

By VYPE Media's Olivia Jones.

After Lake Travis senior quarterback and University of Texas at Austin commit Hudson Card suffered a foot injury that cost him most of the 2019 Texas high school football season, junior quarterback Nate Yarnell was ready to step in. With Card's injury coming in October, Yarnell had just a few weeks to prepare for the playoffs. When asked about "the transition", Yarnell credits the veteran quarterback by saying "Hudson made [it] easy."

The playoffs bring a lot of pressure, but Yarnell is ready and confident in his team.

"The past three weeks have been so fun to be able to get out and compete with a fantastic group of people," Yarnell said.

Yarnell further explained that being surrounded by a strong support system on the field has made the experience easier.

Lake Travis now heads into the UIL 6A Division I Region IV championship against Converse Judson on Saturday December 7th. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and the game will be played in San Antonio at the Alamodome. Both teams are 12-1 on the season, and Yarnell and his Cavalier teammates are ready for this weekend's playoff game. They are focused on continuing to improve and get better through the end of the season.

Yarnell has received FBS offers from both the University of Houston and Tulsa. In regards to his recruiting, Yarnell said he is focusing on this season and is excited to face the great teams that are ahead. This weekend's regional championship will be a great matchup and an opportunity for Yarnell to showcase his talent. No matter the outcome of this season, Lake Travis will have an experienced quarterback for the 2020 football season.

Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.

ATX/SA Football Teams Chase 5 UIL 6A/5A Regional Titles

Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.

Four Austin/San Antonio area football teams (Converse Judson, Lake Travis, San Antonio Brandeis and Westlake) will play for a UIL 6A regional championship and three area programs (Boerne Champion, Manor and San Antonio Wagner) are battling for a UIL 5A regional title this week. Check out the latest VYPE Central Texas and VYPE South Texas regional final previews and stay tuned for more postseason coverage in the days and weeks to come.

UIL 6A Division I Region IV Championship: Converse Judson Rockets (12-1) vs. Lake Travis Cavaliers (12-1)
When/Where To Watch: Saturday December 7th at 4pm/San Antonio's Alamodome

Players to Watch: Converse Judson (Mike Chandler, De'Anthony Lewis, Treylin Payne and Donnie Moody); Lake Travis (Nate Yarnell, Kyle Eaves, Weston Stephens and Mauricio Trevino)

Success Against Opponents: Converse Judson has outscored its 2019 opponents 611-255, while Lake Travis has a 595-206 point differential.

VYPE Prediction: Converse Judson

UIL 6A Division II Region IV Championship: San Antonio Brandeis Broncos (13-0) vs. Westlake Chaparrals (12-1)

Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.

When/Where To Watch: Friday December 6th at 7:30pm/San Antonio's Alamodome

Players to Watch: San Antonio Brandeis (Jordan Battles, Joshua Suarez, Aiden Inesta-Rodriguez, Jalen Rainey and Preston Dang); Westlake (Kirkland Michaux, Ryan Lindley, Zane Minors, Mason Mangum and Leo Lowin)

Success Against Opponents: San Antonio Brandeis has outscored its 2019 opponents 510-188, while Westlake has a 626-127 point differential.

VYPE Prediction: San Antonio Brandeis

UIL 5A Division I Region III Championship: Manor Mustangs (8-5) vs. Shadow Creek Sharks (13-0)

Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.

When/Where To Watch: Saturday December 7th at Noon/San Antonio's Alamodome

Players to Watch: Manor (Tahj Brooks and Princely Umanmielen); Shadow Creek (Kyron Drones and Kelvon Brown)

Success Against Opponents: Manor has outscored its 2019 opponents 429-368, while Shadow Creek has a 640-125 point differential.

VYPE Prediction: Shadow Creek

UIL 5A Division I Region IV Championship: San Antonio Wagner Thunderbirds (12-1) vs. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial Eagles (10-3)

Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.

When/Where To Watch: Friday December 6th at 7:30pm/Corpus Christi's Buccaneer Stadium

Players to Watch: San Antonio Wagner (LJ Butler, Isaiah Williams, Alex Bouldin, Daniel Powel and DeMarcus Hendricks); Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (Carter Senterfitt, Kobe Piper, Jacob Hernandez, Jaden Mora and Josef Davis)

Success Against Opponents: San Antonio Wagner has outscored its 2019 opponents 652-179, while Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial has a 505-275 point differential.

VYPE Prediction: San Antonio Wagner

UIL 5A Division II Region IV Championship: Boerne Champion Chargers (12-1) vs. Calallen Wildcats (12-1)

Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.

When/Where To Watch: Saturday December 7th at 8pm/San Antonio's Alamodome

Players to Watch: Boerne Champion (Luke Boyers and Tamari Jenkins); Calallen (Jarrett Garza, Jeremiah Earls, Charley Hill and Colten Calloway)

Success Against Opponents: Boerne Champion has outscored its 2019 opponents 563-239, while Calallen has a 429-206 point differential.

VYPE Prediction: Calallen

For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX/@VYPESATX) on Twitter.

Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.

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