GAMES
RANKINGS
Photo Courtesy of Coach Bryan Vardeman, Cedar Ridge High School
Fresh Faces: Bryan Vardeman sees purple at Cedar Ridge
After more than two decades as an assistant coach in the DFW metroplex, new Cedar Ridge Head Coach and Athletic Coordinator Bryan Vardeman leapt at the opportunity to take over the Raiders.
“I had to be one of the first applicants when the Cedar Ridge Head Coaching job opened,” Vardeman declared. “The tradition and success they have had, along with great Admin and community support makes this place very desirable. Cedar Ridge is a Home Run for us, and we are very blessed to be a part of such a great place!”
Born in Lawton, OK, the 44-year-old Vardeman played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys following his high school career at Lawton MacArthur. He seamlessly transitioned to coaching for the next 21 years; 11 of those as a defensive coordinator with stops at Colleyville Heritage, Crandall, Irving MacArthur, LD Bell, Flower Mound Marcus and, most recently, Flower Mound HS.
He’ll bring that defensive mindset with him to Cedar Ridge, where he’ll take over from Sam Robinson, who led the Raiders the past eight seasons. Although Cedar Ridge reached the playoffs four times in that time, the Raiders slipped to 2-8 and 3-7 in the past two seasons. Vardeman will try to return Cedar Ridge to the level of success the purple and black had grown used to.
With Cedar Ridge competing in an overloaded District 25-6A, Vardeman knows his first squad faces stiff competition – but he embraces that challenge.
“The expectations are high for this team,” he states. “’Best’ is standard and anything less is unacceptable. Our players understand this and are dedicated to leaving a legacy that includes Gold Footballs being put on the shelf.”
Now settled in close to family with his wife, Jade, who grew up in the Austin area, along with 6th-grade son Colson and 3rd-grade daughter Emerson, Vardeman is happy to be here and ready to get things started.
“I am looking forward to this Fall and am proud of the work our players have put in since I got here in the Spring. Their work ethic this summer has been amazing, and I can't wait to see them perform this season.
Neither can the purple and black faithful in Raider-land.
VYPE/ESPN Austin Radio Central Texas Game of the Week Recap Hutto holds off Cedar Ridge
It was an almost historic occasion the last time the Hutto Hippos were involved in the VYPE/ESPN Austin radio Central Texas Game of the Week on 102.7 FM. In that wild contest last season, Liberty Hill outlasted the Hippos 82-80. (Not a typo!)
It wasn’t quite that crazy Friday night (9/13), but it was close as the Hippos held off Cedar Ridge 63-56 to open District 25-6A play for both teams.
Like last year’s Game of the Week, the offenses were in command throughout the night with the Hippos pulling out to a 42-28 lead – and that was just at the half. Hutto (2-1, 1-0) stretched the lead to 56-28 early in the fourth quarter and seemed to have the game in-hand. That’s when Cedar Ridge (0-3, 0-1) mounted a late charge to tie the game at 56-all with under five minutes remaining. Hutto junior quarterback Jaden Stefak tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the night to finally break a 28-0 Raiders scoring run and secure the hard-fought district win.
Stefak went 16-32 for 231 yards and four touchdowns to pace the Hutto attack while junior running back Keilan Chavies rushed 12 times for 132 yards and two scores.
Hutto heads to Manor Friday night while Cedar Ridge looks for their first win of the season against Westwood.