TRENDING
FAVORITES
RANKINGS
Pete Nguyen
VYPE U: Strake Jesuit vs St. Thomas storied rivalry coming to an end, Jesuit Schools to collide on Week 1
Feb 06, 2020
Last Thursday, St. Thomas Athletic Director Mike Netzel released a statement via the school's website stating that the St. Thomas-Strake Jesuit game would not be played in the 2020 season, as they already compete in different conferences (Strake Jesuit is in UIL, as St. Thomas is in TAPPS). This report was confirmed as the Crusaders 2020 schedule was released on Monday without the St. Thomas game on it.
Since 1964, the two teams have collided every year, with St. Thomas holding a 29-26-1 record over the Crusaders. In 2015, it was announced that the game would be held at NRG Stadium, the home of the Houston Texans, bi-yearly. Traditionally, the game was both school's first regular season match, and was considered a premiere game to many high school football fans, alongside local media, as KPRC 2 spotlighted a Strake Jesuit 28-17 win over the Eagles this past year in their "Friday Football Frenzy" segment. A Crusader win was not uncommon in the last few meetings between these two teams, and that has contributed to the fact that Strake Jesuit is one of UIL's most competitive private school programs.
The St. Thomas game will not be the only change to Strake Jesuit's schedule, as the UIL finished its realignment process for 6A on Monday, with the Crusaders joining District 23 with Alief Elsik, Alief Hastings, Alief Taylor, Alvin, 2019 5A Division 1 State Champions Shadow Creek, Pearland, and Pearland Dawson. The Crusaders will also play out of district games against C.E. King, Spring Dekaney, alongside a familiar foe in Dallas Jesuit on the first week of the regular season. The Jesuit teams last faced off against each other in 2015, when the Rangers defeated Strake Jesuit 38-27 in their Postell Stadium. It is currently unknown where the game in this upcoming season will take place, but it would be assumed that the game will either be at a neutral zone, or at Strake Jesuit's Clay Stadium based on prior game venues.
The announcement of this game has already excited Strake Jesuit's student body, who are looking forward to experiencing a rivalry with Dallas Jesuit, as they share the same Jesuit values. A motivated Crusader football team, looking to go further than ever in the UIL Playoffs, will be determined to start the regular season off with a win against the Rangers.
Vandegrift Gives Flower Mound Marcus All It Can Handle In Early Season Draw
Jan 10, 2020
The 2020 UIL boys soccer season was eight days old when Austin Vandegrift, Lake Travis and Westlake kicked off their co-hosting duties at the fourth annual Austin Lakes Elite Showcase. One of the opening matches resulted in a back-and-forth 2-2 draw between Austin Vandegrift (0-2-2) and Flower Mound Marcus (3-0-1) at Ed W. Monroe Memorial Stadium on Thursday.
"We lost like seven starters [from] last season, so we're just a new team," said Austin Vandegrift soccer player Ethan Dacaret. "It's been a tough road so far, but, this game, especially going up against good opposition, is a really good way to build chemistry with the other players and...get to know each other better as a team and progress into district with [a] better attitude and better mentality."
VYPE Player of the Game Ethan Dacaret’s goal helped Austin Vandegrift boys soccer tie a strong Flower Mound Marcus… https://t.co/vzvLuhgD29— VYPE Austin (@VYPE Austin)1578611335.0
Austin Vandegrift, who finished its 2019 season in the UIL 6A Region II bi-district round, started to strike at the Flower Mound Marcus goal in the fifth and sixth minutes, and finished what it started on Sam Galyen's go-ahead scoring kick at the 7:25 mark of the match.
"We were able to put the back line in a compromising position and the goalie got a bad clearance, and it came to my feet, so I took my chance," said Galyen. "And I was glad that I could put it away."
Sam Galyen’s first half goal helped Austin Vandegrift boys soccer tie a strong Flower Mound Marcus squad 2-2 in the… https://t.co/dKuO9Cz47y— VYPE Austin (@VYPE Austin)1578612579.0
Flower Mound Marcus, who advanced to the 2019 UIL 6A Region I Quarterfinal, was expected to bounce back and did so in a similar fashion. It didn't have a lot of early shots at Austin Vandegrift's goal, but found some opportunities in the middle part of the first half. That included a game-tying goal at the 20:37 mark.
The teams attacked more in the second half, so additional goals were added to the scoreboard. Dacaret, who was named the VYPE Player of the Game, scored at the 51:27 mark of the match to give Austin Vandegrift another lead at 2-1, and Porter Pomykal answered with a late Flower Mound Marcus goal to knot up the score at the 79:46 mark.
"It was really cool because I usually play left wing, but today we played a different formation," Dacaret said of his score. "So, I just saw the opportunity to cut in [and] swing it with my right foot. Luckily, it went in."
The teams played to a 80-minute regulation draw, but Austin Vandegrift coach Bobby Courtney thought his players took advantage of the time on the field.
"I was excited that we were able to compete," said Courtney. "I think when you play better teams, it's easy to get in your head. I was excited that we were able to execute the game plan and organize our defense. Players that normally would not have had the chance came in and were able to step up and make an impact, so it was an all-around team effort and I really enjoyed watching the guys compete."
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) 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.