Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
No. 3 Brentwood Christian School: The Bears have 14 returning starters from their 2018 TAPPS 11-Man Division II opening round playoff appearance, so they have the ability to go a couple rounds deep in 2019. Sam Orick is coming off a 1,000-yard rushing season, and will trade his running back position for the team's quarterback. He'll be protected by three-year starter at center Austin Balogh, so he'll be able to connect with two-way player Phillip Mach. Isaac Copeland and Luke Jackson are other players to watch because they're coming off productive defensive seasons.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
No. 4 Cedar Park Summit Christian Academy: The Eagles advanced to the TAPPS Six-Man Division III state semifinal in 2018 and have the necessary pieces to go after the ultimate prize in 2019. First-team all-state receiver and second-team all-state defensive back Blake Conover will lead the way, while first-team all-state tight end Aaron Campbell and first-team all-state linebacker Nick Hoenig provide important assistance.
No. 5 Hyde Park: The Panthers were one-and-done in the 2018 TAPPS 11-Man Division II playoffs, but are working hard to produce a better season in 2019. Safety/quarterback Luke Hindman and safety/receiver Riley Beckham will be the team's leaders, while slot/nickel Wesley Conquest and two-way lineman Spencer Dye provide important depth.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
No. 6 Fredericksburg Heritage School: The Eagles reached the TAPPS Six-Man Division III regional final in 2018, and has the necessary group of talents to top that in 2019. Joshua Hoermann is coming off a second-team all-state season for his running back and linebacker play, and will continue to receive the necessary blocking from second-team all-state two-way lineman Noah Given.
No. 7 Austin Veritas Academy: The Defenders won the TAPPS Six-Man Division I state title in 2018, but have some rebuilding to do to match that success in 2019. They lost 12 of their 14 all-state players to graduation, so first-team all-state running back Briggs Ellyson and second-team all-state linebacker Andrew Cuellar will be important in continuing the program's tradition.
No. 8 Hill Country Christian School of Austin: The Knights were one and done in the TAPPS Six-Man Division I postseason, but will be a team to watch in 2019. They have playoff experience and a young leader in all-state honorable mention slot back Zach Pryor.
No. 9 Austin Saints: The combined Austin St. Andrew's Episcopal School/Austin St. Stephen's Episcopal School team won its first three games in 2018, including a 24-point non-district victory against eventual TAPPS 11-Man Division IV state champ Shiner St. Paul, but needs to add more wins in SPC 3A play to make a run at the 2019 postseason. The team has the necessary two-way players to take the next step this season. Sam Zapalac and Patrick Wilson are receivers and defensive backs, George Breckwoldt is a quarterback and defensive back, David Houston is a running back and defensive back, Ben Ledet is a tight end and defensive lineman and Edbert Wu is an offensive lineman and a linebacker.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
No. 10 Giddings State School: The Indians' program has learned to quickly rebuild under longtime coach Sandy Brown, so there's confidence that it can build on its 2018 run to the TAPPS Six-Man Division I state semifinal.
Others to watch: Austin St. Michael's Catholic Academy, Faith Academy of Marble Falls, Round Rock Christian Academy, Round Rock Concordia and San Marcos Academy
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Doug Brown (VYPE)
