A UIL state championship followed by a halted season due to a global pandemic: Southlake Carroll girls soccer is looking to make up for lost time as they fight through their district schedule.
"We've been training a lot, wearing our masks, and social distancing as much as we can. When we aren't training, we're team building," said senior Morgan Quillen in an interview with VYPE DFW earlier this season.
After the interrupted season, the Lady Dragons have been working hard to get back on track this season. Currently ranked in the fifth slot in their district, the Lady Dragons are showing that they aren't willing to go out without a fight. "Our goal this year is to get through the season and get through as many games as we can. It's very unpredictable right now," said junior Hanna Khan.
As an already great program, it's easy to remember the highest moments and want to strive for that feeling again. "[It was] totally surreal. It was one of the most important moments of my life and I'm hoping to do the same thing this year," senior Gabby Jamall said remembering the state championship just two seasons ago.
The Lady Dragons are 5-4-4 this season and 1-2-1 in district play. They still have quite a few games to go. Their next one is Friday at home against Timber Creek at 7:00 pm.
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.
