The Vandegrift Vipers have owned District 25-6A (formerly 13-6A), capturing or sharing the district title for seven straight seasons. Their loss to McNeil last month was their first district defeat since 2021. But this year they find themselves embroiled in a 5-team playoff scrum. And while the Vipers are still definitely in the mix for another district title, they find themselves in the unusual position of chasing another team, the resurgent Hutto Hippos. And that raises the stakes this Friday night (10/24) when Vandegrift travels to Hutto’s Memorial Stadium to face the Hippos in this week’s VYPE Austin Central Texas Game of the Week.
The Hippos (5-0, 6-1) got off to an inauspicious start, dropping their opener to San Marcos. Since then, however, first year Head Coach Eli Reinhart’s club has reeled off six impressive wins. Reinhart was the offensive coordinator for last year’s 6A Division 1 state champion, North Crowley. Those Panthers averaged a gaudy 53.7 points-per-game enroute to a perfect 16-0 record and a 50-21 shellacking of Westlake in the title game.
The numbers for Reinhart’s Hippos aren’t quite that off the charts, but at 41.4 PPG they’re still plenty impressive. Senior quarterback Kaden Stefanik (111-182, 1,730 yards, 23 TDs, 5 INTs) guides a pass-happy attack that primarily targets juniors Jayden Fields (49-741, 15.1 YPC, 11 TD) and Dylan Owens (29-618, 21.3 YPC, 7 TD). Senior running back Keilan Chavies (87-605, 6.9 YPC, 7 TD) provides a healthy rushing counterpoint.
Hutto’s defense isn’t as dominant as the offense, but it’s doing enough. Senior Brayden Daniel (14.3 tackles per game, 10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) and junior Hunter Frenette (9.6 TPG, 3.0 TFL, 2 Sacks) lead the Hippo defense.
Coach Drew Sanders’ Vipers aren’t the overwhelming juggernaut as were last year’s 6A Division 2 state champions – but they’re coming into their own. Senior quarterback Miles Teodecki (110-172, 1,331 Yds., 10 TD, 5 INT) has managed a Vandegrift offense that’s averaging 30.9 points and 354.7 yards per game. While seniors Brock Chilton (47-511, 10.9 YPC, 5 TD) and Thomas Buechler (26-368, 14.2 YPC, TD) are Teodecki’s favorite targets, he can spread the ball around and use his legs when needed. Senior running back Justin Moore (88-385, 4.4 YPC, 8 TD) has battled through injury and leads the Viper rushing attack.
With only three returning starters, Vandegrift’s defense got torched for 41 points by Dripping Springs in their season opening loss. Led by seniors Parker Davis (6.6 TPG, 2 TFL, 2 Sacks) and Hugo DeLeVara Vasquez (4.1 TPG, 8 TFL, 2 Sacks), the Vandegrift defense has been figuring it out ever since. Despite losing several key players to injury, the Viper defense is now allowing just 14.4 points and 269 yards per game.
With five good teams battling for just four playoff spots, the defending King of the Hill Vipers and the upstart Hippos both hope to solidify their title and playoff hopes when they clash in this week’s VYPE Austin Central Texas Game of the Week.
What: Hutto vs. VandegriftWhen: 5:35 Pregame, 6:00 Kickoff (starting early due to weather)
Where: Hutto Memorial Stadium
Who: Merle Bertrand, Matt Sanders, Hank Hudson, Brian Spieles
Watch: https://www.vype.com/7pm-football-vandegrift-vs-hutto
Also watch on the KVUE+ mobile app.
