GAMES
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RANKINGS
Vandegrift emerges from the tunnel in the 2024 season opener
THE POWER RANKINGS: Austin-Area loaded with challengers on the gridiron
The Austin area is filled to the brim with state contenders, beginning with perennial power Westlake, who was one victory away from reaching the UIL-6A-DI title game a year ago.
They're on a collision course back to the championship, but they aren't the only ones vying for supremacy. District rival Lake Travis should give them a run for their money in 6A, alongside the always threatening Vandegrift Vipers.
Meanwhile, Smithson Valley looks to make a name for themselves, while LBJ is primed to dominate in Class 4A.
All that being said, here are our composite rankings as we head into Week 2 of the new season.
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VYPE AUSTIN FOOTBALL TOP-10
*Combined Class 6A, 5A, 4A
*Last parentheses indicates most recent game result
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1. Westlake Chaparrals (6A) -- 1-0 (35-14 W v. Prosper)
2. Lake Travis Cavaliers (6A) -- 1-0 (51-12 W v. Martin)
3. Vandegrift Vipers (6A) -- 1-0 (31-14 W v. Dripping Springs)
4. Smithson Valley Rangers (5A) -- 1-0 (45-0 W v. SA Roosevelt)
5. LBJ Austin Jaguars (4A) -- 1-0 (54-6 W v. Sam Houston)
6. Dripping Springs Tigers (6A) -- 0-1 (14-31 L v. Vandegrift)
7. Weiss Wolves (5A) -- 1-0 (42-41 W v. McNeil)
8. Harker Heights Knights (6A) -- 1-0 (45-43 W v. Cedar Park)
9. Vista Ridge Rangers (6A) -- 1-0 (31-21 W v. Killeen)
10. Hutto Hippos (6A) -- 1-0 (63-8 W v. San Marcos)
5-To-Watch: Austin/San Antonio- Week 2
Week 2 of the Texas High School Football season and with that it's time to look at the top games across the San Antonio and Austin area this week.
Hutto vs Liberty Hill
This to me may just be the game of the week for a couple of reasons and it is because of both of the schools in this matchup. First let's look at Hutto. Last week they had an extremely impressive win of San Marcos 46-21. In that game their offense could not be stopped. Gary Choice III had 163 yards receiving, Alex Green tallied 127 yards and QB Will Hammond was 19/25 for 329 yards and 4 touchdowns. But even more impressive was their defensive outing against the Rattlers. As with most teams the play Liberty Hill, if your defense is good so are your chances against Liberty Hill. That holds true to start the year as the Panthers put up over 300 yards rushing against Wagner. Joe Pitchford led the way with 152 yards and will look to do more of the same against the Hippos. But with all the numbers aside here is why this game is the top to watch for me. Both these teams, I feel, have a chance to make a run this year. We know the Panthers came up short last season against South Oak Cliff in the championship game and a convincing win here could go a long way for their title hopes this season (especially after South Oak Cliff's strong showing against Duncanville last week). For Hutto, this is a team I'm going to have on my radar all season. I feel like Coach Compton has something special building up in Hutto and even though Liberty Hill is a 5A opponent a win here goes a long way in showing they are someone to take seriously this year, especially with Judson and Steele on their schedule.
Westlake vs Judson
Does Coach Soto have Judson on the right path? After a disappointing season last year that saw Soto being brought in as the new Coach for the Rockets, Judson came away with a thrilling victory over Soto's former school San Antonio Johnson 46-43. Meanwhile after a slow start, Westlake found it's grove on offense and defense and walked out with a 44-14 victory over Ridge Point. For Westlake this is their last non-district game so a good showing here will go a long way for the Chaps that will only see a handful of tough district opponents. On the flip side a close game by Judson could make them one of the favorites in 27-6A. This one will come down to the Judson defense vs the Westlake offense. I think Westlake's defense will do a better job of containing Judson's offense than San Antonio Johnson did so the question will be will Judson's defense be able to do the same? I'm not so sure. While Ridge Point was able to hold Westlake in check briefly I'm not sure Judson can do the same and for a full game. If this were at the end of the season, possibly, but not so sure in week 2
Smithson Valley vs Harker Heights
Smithson Valley squeaked out a win last week against Reagan 14-13 while Harker Heights handled business against Killeen Ellison 33-7. This will be a good test for 5A Smithson Valley who plays in a pretty competitive district this year. The Rangers will have to contest with a balanced attack from Harker Heights who saw Dylan Plake throw for 162 yards and Re'Shaun add 140 yards on the ground. The Rattlers' win last week was a defensive one and to do the same against another 6A opponent they will have to do the same this week. I do like Smithson Valley in this one though.
Reagan vs Round Rock
Speaking of Reagan, after last weeks tough defensive battle against Smithson Valley they see Round Rock come to town. For Reagan it is simple, don't turn the ball over. Round Rock capitalized on it's win last week with 2 Interceptions and 1 forced fumble. Weiss did a pretty decent job of containing Round Rock overall but Reagan will have to keep its eyes on quarterback Mason Cochran who ran for 114 yards. Can they do it? I'm not so sure. Round Rock is one of those interesting teams for me in the Austin area. They upset Lake Travis in the first round in 2020 and then last year found themselves on the receiving end of a first round loss. It feels like coming in their district could come down to Manor and them (maybe Vandegrift though their loss last week leaves some questions) so a strong showing here can set them up nicely heading into district.
Davenport vs Kerrville Tivy
Davenport enters its first year in UIL football looking to make some noise in 4A. They have a chance to show they are a force to be reckoned with when they welcome 5A Tivy to their home Friday. They are one of those interesting teams (like Lake Belton who have had some great years in their first 2 years as a football program. The Wolves will rely on Junior Quarterback Triston Hamlin who put up 343 yards in the air with 3 Touchdowns and Senior Shastin Golden who rushed for 121 yards. Tivy comes off a 28-6 win over Medina Valley with a smothering defense. This one looks like it could come down to the Davenport offense and the Tivy defense. The offensive line for the Wolves will have to stop the front 7 of the Tivy defense that tallied 6 sacks last week. If they can give Hamlin the time he needs to make his reads Davenport could see themselves entering Week 3 at 2-0