BOX OFFICE CRASH
Cedar Parkfans, cheering for their team In a game at Vandegrift In 2019, wlll have to adhere to COVID•l9 restrictions that wlll force schools tolimit crowds to50 percent of their capacity in Texas. [STEPHEN SPIUMAWFOR STATESMAN] COVID-19 WIii have 99,oooplayers. spokesman Marco Alvarado call for lower attendance. negative Impact on high As the 2020 season said season-ticket assign Using City ofAustin guide schoolfootballgate approaches, challenges ments will not be affected lines, teams from theAustin receipts, booster club provided by the COVID-19 by the temporary suspen- school district are limiting efforts In Central Texas pandemic will put a large sion, and their status for crowd capacity to25%. dent inhigh school athletic those seats will remain "as "I think ever yone's plan By Rick Cantu budgets throughout the is"U11til it has been declared willlook a little different as [email protected] state. Attendance will be safeto resume such sales. far as spacing and skipping limited to 50% with social The Cavalier band is going rows, but the bottom line is Roughly 55,000 Lake distancing enforced and to take a serious hit, too, we are allfollowing the City Travis fans filled Cavalier masks required m1der Gov. because sponsors are drying ofAustinguidelines," Austin Stadiumlast fall and gener Greg Abbott's guidelines up, booster club presi High coach Mike Rosenthal ated $311,000 inticket sales for football games during the dent Megan Granelli said. said. "Priority will be given for seven home football pandemic. Last year the booster club to parents, so they can see games. What does this mean for earned $70,000. She said their kids play. Football is big business at Lake Travis High School? it remains "unknown" how Lake Travis andClass 6A Lake Travis and through- According toschool officials, much money will belost in Division II state champion out the state. Consider attendance for individual 2020 but it shouldbe more Westlake weighing whether this: 166,000 high school games will be sliced from than50%. itwill limit crowds between students played football in 7,400 to 3,700 spectators While most of the state 50% and 25%. Texas in2019. By contrast, and ticket sales will drop to will adhere Abbott's plan Throughout the region, California ranked No. 2 in $150,000. of limiting schools to 50% the nation with roughly Lake Travis school district capacity, some cities will See CRASH, CJ Witha 50% reduction inatten Stadiumwillgeneratebetween to be onthe safetyofthestu Rattlerscollected$S3,636from CRASH dance combined witha limited $30,ooo and $36,ooo 011 any dents playingandperforming, ticket sales in five games, an menu at concession stands, given Friday, he said. With their coaches and sponsors, average of$10,727, last season From Page Cl bandrevenueswillbe slashed COVID-19 precautions, th.ose the staffworking the games, andexpectthatfiguretodropat well below SO%. figures willbe choppedinhalf, andthe spectators enjoying the leastsopercentthisyear. Rouud Rock booster clubs LaPlante said. games,"Lambsaid. REGENTS: According to high school districts are havehadother revenue streams LaPlante said that does not HAYS: The schools in the athletic director Beck Brydon, reporting similar num dryup. Round RockHigh's car take intoaccowit extra costs district that played varsity the school earns between bers while adhering to raffle, for example, has been for keeping parents, students, lastyear - Hays and Lehman $6,000and$4,000in"admis guidelines set by the Texas canceled. Also, bandcompeti volunteers and security offi - - provided attendance fig sions" during "normalyears." Education Agency, University tiollS that producerevenue in cials safe such as extra hand uresfor justthreehomegames Concessions stands yield Interscholastic League and thefallhavebeencanceled. sanitizerinvarious partsofthe apiece in 2019. Total gate roughly$3,000. local health officials. Also, AUSTIN: Thelargest school stadium. receipts for those six games "I can't imagine getting us mostschool districts inCentral district in CentralTexas, the h1 Hutto, a full concessions - which included only fans close to those numbers this Texaswillnotsellseasontick Austin school district's 11 high menu generates between with "scanned" tickets - was year," Brydon said. ets this year, hopingfans will schoolfootballprograms col $7,000 and $8,000 onregu $122,864, anaverage of$20,477 EANES: Westlake offi buythemonlineoratthegate. lected $389,521 in ticketsales lar game nights, said Amy a game. District spokesman cials reported that last year's Thepandemicwill also have for varsity games and $30,609 McFeely, theschool's athletic Tim Savoy said attendance game against Akins gener a negative impact onathletic for sub-varsitygames in2019, boosterclubpresident. Under figures might dipthis season ated roughly$50,000 inticket booster clubs, baud boosters a district spokesmansaidthis new provisions, concession becausesomefans mightelect revenue.Ifthestadiwnishalf andconcession sales, areaoffi week. salescoulddrop 75% thisfall, tobypassgames for coronavi empty, thatfigure will drop to cials said. Herearea few more Total concession sales for accordingtoMcFeely. The big rus reasons. about$25,000. area districtsthatwillfeel a bite Nelson, Burger, House Park gest sellers inHutto, cooked lAMPASAS: Coming off "Fridaynight football games out oftheirathletic budgets: and Noack was $287,439. foods such as bot dogs, have thebest season inschoolhis are big fundraising events for ROUND ROCK: The five Withstadiumseatinglimited beenremoved from the listof tory, the Badgers reported many of ourstudentandparent high schools in the district to 25% in 2020, those figures optio11S, shesaid. earning $34,650 off reserved organizations," said Eanes - Round Rock, Stony Point, will absorb a major blow no "Thisisn't just affectingour seating in 2019 and about athletic director ToddDodge, Cedar Ridge, Westwood and matter how many games are high school football season $22,000 from concessions whose eight-game schedule McNeil - garnered $400,000 played. either," McFeely said. "Asour stands. Lampasas will absorb a includes only three at home. in ticket sales at all levels in HU'ITO: The Hippos, a booster club supportsallsports "significant hit" toitsrevenue "The Chaparral band uses 2019, athletic director Dwayne perennial Central Texas power onbothmiddleschoolsandthe streams this year, saidcoach sponsors~andrevenue from Weirich said. The district is for nearly a decade, are going high schoolcampuses, this is and athletic director Troy thegame-dayprogramsasone making a ''big push" for onliue tofeel a financial crunch, too, going to causea majorreduc Rogers. Tickets for Badgers oftheirbiggest fundraisers. ticketsales toavoidcrowds at football coach and athletic tioninourtotal:revenuefortbe homegames: $5. "The Westlake PTO counts ticket booths. director Brad LaPlante said. year." LIBEitTYHIU,:Lastseason onmoneyfromtheconcession "I would expect the "Ifyoualsotabulatethecosts LEANDER: District athletic the Panthers earned $75,800 stands to help support their ($400,000) to go down more incurred by school districts director Jonathan Lamb said inticket sales and $20,oooon efforts for studentsandstaff," than so percent this season," this year withincreasedmea - ticket sales "varygreatly" from concessions for five varsity hecontinued "TheChapClub hesaid. sures tokeepfans, playersand itssixhighschools - Leander, home games, coach and ath (athletics booster club) gen Baud booster clubs in the coaches safe, thatonlyaddsto Cedar Park, Glenn, Rouse, letic director Jeff Walker said. erates revenue from selling RoundRoclcschooldistrictgen themoney brought inbyschool Vandegrift and Vista Ridge. He expects a so percent dip parking spaces and stadium eratedatotalofabout $150,000 districts on a Friday night," On most nights stadiums, do this year, dropping those fig sponsorships. All ofthesewill last year, said Melanie Pav, LaPlante said. notreach sopercent capacity ures to $37,900 and $10,000, be significantlyimpactedthis president of the Round Rock A capacity crowd of 5,500 onthevisiting side. respectively. yearwithonlythreehomefoot HighSchoolbandbooster club. fans at Hutto Memorial "Our main focus is going SAN MARCOS: The ball games." HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PRliSliASON TOP 10
In Central Texas, August means scorching days and heated preseason debates about the area's top high school football teams. Leading up to the season's klclkoff, we unveil our Top 10, as selected by our high school reporting staff. No. 4 Vandegrift
Coad!: Drew Sanders (101-52 overall, 86·38 at Vandegrift, ninth season) 2tl9: 11•l, District 13-6A Division II champion, lost to Klein Collins in area playoff game Hello: QB Ryan Back. OL Matthew Lee. DB Logan Arnold Goodbye: QB Dru Dawson, WR Trey Mongauzy, LB Jax Mccauley Returning starters: 8 offense, 3 defense 2tl9 suts:Averaged 27.6 ppg., allowed 13 ppg.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
With the loss of Dawson at 1 quatetbd, wll Bacltake Yandegrift senior comerbacll Lotan Arnold (right), defending up the sladl me! lead the Vipers against a pass by Hendridlson last fal. is one of just three returning toanocher dstrldtitle? As long players on defense. (JOHN GUTIERREZ/ FOR STATESMAN] as he knows he's got plenty of help surrounding him, he squad went to the state semifi DID YOU KNOW? should be fine. He does not nals while finishing 12-3. have to be a hero. He will rely Sanders reached a milestone heavily on Bowen Lewis early LINEMAN LEADS last yearwithhis 100thcareer to establish a ground attack. BY EXAMPLE victoryinthefinalgameofthe The Vipers have an experi 2019 regular season against enced offensive line. Look for Who is Vandegrift's most Stony Point. Sanders, who Vandegrift, which averaged 175 versatile player ? A case could previouslycoachedatTravis, rushing yards and 160 passing be made for RB BowenLewis, is 86- 38 withthe Vipers. yards last season, to continue FS Kaleb Lewis and CB Logan its run-pass balance this fall. Arnold. Sanders said offensive OURTAKE Sanders said the Vipers are lineman Matthew Lee might in "good hands" with a pair of be the most versatile player. What game on Vandegrift's backup quarterbacks ready "Matthewleads byexample, scheduleeldesyou the mosl? to take snaps: junior Reece works extremely hard andcan Rick Cantu:I'mplacingmy Beauchamp and sophomore playallfivepositionsupfront," betsthatthe Vandegrift-Vista Brayden Buchanan. Sanders said. "He's a great Ridge winnerwillwinDistrict Hqw wil1lie1radi1ionally exampleof~meonewho has 25-(>A. Both have dynamic 2 tough detel,sefaewilh a great attitudewhile show offenses and questions on only tine star1ers reunlng? ing othersbowto perfect their defenseTbeteamthatproduces Sanders has a knack for turning skills." the better defense will winit. out good defenses, and he's Thomas Jones: CanI picka confident this group will shine. DOUBLE PERFECTION playoff game? TheVipers have Don't expect the Vipers to hold HARD TO FIND proved themselves against opponents to 13 points a game their districtopponents over again. For a change, there is With its back-to-back the past two seasons with more talent on the offensive perfect regular seasons, back-to-back perfect dis side ofthe football in 2020. Vandegrift joiJlls Ceda.r..Ear.k trict campaigns. I'm eager can Vande9rift be In the (2015 and 2016) and Lak to see what theycan do now 3 mix for a state nan? Yes. Travis (2007-09, 2015 and that the school is in Region First of all, the Vipers were 2016)as theonlyAustin-area rv, and I'm especially eager placed in Region IV this season, Class5Aor 6A programs topull to seeVandegrift face either which is considered an easier offthatleat. Cedar Park and WestlakeorLake Travis in the draw once the playoffs begin. LakeTravi havewonmultiple postseason. Perhaps this could be the best state champioos, a height the Vipers team since the 2014 Vipers aspire toreach. Rick Cantu HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PRliSliASON TOP 10
In Central Texas, August means scorching days and heated preseason debates about the area's top high school football teams. Leading up to the season's kickoff, we unveil our Top 10, as selected by our high school reporting staff. No. 3 Lake Travis
Coach: HankCarter (11th season, 129-17) 2019: 13-2, Class 6A DI state semifmallst Hello: QB Nate Yarnell, TE Lake McRee, RB Weston Stephens. OT Raleigh Erwin, DB/WR Aden Nava Goodbye: QB Hudson Card, WR Grayson 5andlin, WR Kyle Eaves. LB Maui Trevino, DE Trey Sofia Returning starters: 3 offense, 4 defense 2019 stats: Averaged 45.4 ppg, allowed 193 ppg
QUESTIONS TO PONDER Lalle Travis running badl Weston Stephens, carrying the ball again Lehman last season, heads what loob 111.e the best set of rushers In With so many starters to years for the can. [JOHN Gl/TIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN] 1 replace, can Lake ll'avis maintain its high standards? NATEMAKES JACK OF ALL TRADES Since ascending to the state's NINE (OR TEN) highest division in 2012, the Senior Aden Nava returns Cavaliers have won a state Senior quarterback Nate as one of the most versatile title, reached two other finals Yarnell has already contin Cavaliers. Entering his third and advanced to the semifinals uedoneofthelongeststreaks varsity season, Nava is poised three different times. They in the country. With his to start at his third different expect nothing less in 2020. commitment to Pittsburgh, position. After starting as a "This will be a talented team,~ Yarnellwillbecomethe ninth cornerbackanda safety, Nava Carter says matter-of-factly. consecutive Lake Travis figures toseeextensive time on With 129 wins in his first 10 starting quarterback to earn offense asa receiver and spe seasons, carter's more than a Football Bowl Subdivision cial teamsasaretumspecialist. earned the benefit of the doubt. scholarship. Yarnell joins a Cartersees Nava filling therole With another FBS quarterback list that includes Hudson Card ofthe graduated Kyle Eaves, and senior class driven to (Texas), Matthew Baldwin wholedtbeCavaliersinreceiv win an elusive championship, (Ohio State/TCU), Charlie ingbut stepped inat comerback don't be surp rised to see the Brewer (Baylor). Dominic whenneeded whilealso return Cavaliers in the final four again. DeLira (Iowa State/Texas ing kickoffs and punts. Will uke Travis' offense Southern), Baker Mayfield 2 sputter out of the gate (Texas Tech/Oklahoma), DID YOU KNOW? without a spring Ill adjust Michael Brewer (Texas Tech/ to new coorcinator Tommy Virginia Tech), Garrett Gilbert Dating back to2006, when Mangino? Without the benefit (Texas/SMU) and Todd Lake Travis first met rival of spring or summer workouts. Reesing(Ka11sas). Thelistcan Westlake, only three teams Mangino installed his offense also include Colin Lagasse, have accumulated winstreaks through Zoom and other online who started four games at overthe Cavaliers. Westlake meetings. The team impressed quarterback and earned a defeated Lake Travisin2006 the new coach with the speed scholarship to play receiver and2007andagainin2017and that it grasped his concepts at SMU. Yarnell has posted 2018. Converse Judson once and language. Beginning a 6-o record as a starter, beat Lake Travis three con Sept. 7, he'll put the offense including a 3-0 playoffmark secutive times, in 2013, 2016 through a hurry-up version of last year. and zo17. Only Galena Park the on-field install. Based on North Shore holds an active their fast-paced history, the RUNNING CAVS? streak over the Cavaliers. cavaliers should be able to The Mustangs have beaten get up to speed In time for the Withthestreakofquarter Lake Travis in eachof thelast opener against westwood. backs to earn scholarships, two seasons en route to 6A, How will the regular the Cavaliers have long Division I championships. 3 season finale between been known for their fast Westlake and Lake Travis paced passing attack. Could OURTAKE Impact the playoffs? Through 2020 be the yearofthe run a random draw, the annual ning back? Seniors Weston It's new,too laleto !omat the Battle of the Lakes will serve - Stephens and Marcelo Alanis Battle of the lalfes. Who ya got if things go according to plan anchor a deep backfield this y&6? - a regular-season finale that that may serve as a security Thomas Jones: W estlalce has will decide the District 26·6A blanket while a revamped more experience as well as a championship. The Chaps and receiving corps settles in. 201Qstatetitleintow, butdon't Cavaliers wlll end up In dif Alanis began last season as forget thatLake Traviswonlast ferent divisions, so the game the starter before suffering season's meeting. The Chaps itself won't have mu ch impact a season-endingknee injury will enter the regular-season on seeding. Confidence, on the against Westlake. Stephens finaleasthefavorite,but I'D flip other hand, Is another story. stepped in and rushed for aooinandtakeLTforauthtime The winner enters the postsea 1,057 ofhis team-high 1,279 in the 16-gameseries. son knowing it has beaten a yardsinthe final eight games Rick cantu: Westlake was so team most figure to be a favor and could finish his career shook up abootlosinglast year, ite to win Region IV. Both carter ranked among Lake Travis' theOlaps went ontowin state. and Westlake coach Todd career rushingleaders. Gary Westlakewins a close one this Dodge can only hope that the Gordon, WatsonCusick and year.SotheCavsmustwinstate. annual slugfest doesn't leave Wesley Erwin also return either team banged up for the after carrying the ball last fay Plotkin, American beginning of the postseason. year. Statesman correspondent HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL: NO. 3 LAKE TRAVIS Versatility the Icey for Cavaliers
Lake Travis seeks first Inside "In no way is this a rebuild," tltle since 2016 behind LakeTraviscoachHankCarter QB Nate Yarnell High School Football isquicktopointout. "Wehave Preseason Top 10, C2 a ton of great kids who are By Jay Plotkin ready to roll." American-Statesman "Even though we lost some Correspondent Since emolling at the high great players, we have a lot of school in the fall of 2017, the guys ready to step up," quar For the last five seasons, Cavalier seniors have yet to terback Nate Yarnell said. the road to the state champi take that final step. While returnees such as onship has gone through Lake "This group wants to win a Weston Stephens, Jackson Travis. state championship," defen - Scruggs, LakeMcRee, Raleigh The Cavaliers last won sive tackle Raleigh Erwin said. Erwin and ffe Ohalete are the title in 2016, but in 2015 "We've never been a part of known commodities, other and every year since 2017, one. Itfeels like every class up familiar faces will find them they've fallen to the eventual until ours has seen it happen. selves in new roles as the champions. Katy (2015) and That is something we want coaches look to put their Allen (2017) beat Lake Travis to be a part of. We want that best 11 players on the field as in the title game, and Galena ring." quickly as they can identify Park North Shore topped the To get that ring, anew group them. Cavaliers in the semifinals in ofplayers must step into vital "It will be really interest 2018 and 2019. roles. Lake Travis graduated ing to see what our best 11 After two years on defense, Aden Nava should figure into Lake Travis' Those last three losses have 15 starters from last year's is," Carter said. "It will be a offensive plans at receiver this year. Coach Hank carter said this brought this year's senior class semifinal team. The cupboard, year's squad will feature "a lot of versatile kids." [)OHN GlJTIERREZ/FOR toanunacceptablerealization. though, remains far from bare. See PRESEASON, C2 STATESMAN] PRESEASON Preseason Top 10
From Page Cl The 2020 high school football season will kick off Aug. 27, when private schools and unique year for us with a lotof UIL schools In Class 4A and versatile kids. We'll justthrow smaller are allowed to begin them in the tumbler andsee play. Schools in SA and 6A are what comesout." not allowed to begin play until Aden Nava and Wesley Sept 24 because of the corona Erwin have been varsity virus pandemic. Between now playerssincetheyweresopb and the start of the season, the omores, but they'llbe among American-Statesman will count theCavalierswith new roles. down our preseason Top 10, After two years on defense, regardless of classification. The Nava should figure into the list includes: Cavaliers' offensive plans at Aug.17: No.10 Wimberley receiver. WesleyErwinwillbe Aug.18: No.9Vista Ridge less likely to carry the ballas Aug. 19: No. 8 Dripping Springs annming backthan he wi.Ube Aug. 20: No. 7 Liberty Hill to hunt themas a linebacker. Aug. 21: No. 6 LBJ Carter's especially focused Aug. 22: No. 5 Lampasas onthe trenches. Offensively, Aug. 23: No. 4 Vandegrift the Cavaliers want to give Yarnell time to find open senior quartelbadl Nate Yarnell hopes to INII Lalle •msto its first state title since 2016. He,l lead a receivers and maintain the cavalier offense that seeks three new starters on the offensive line. [JOHN Gl1Tl ERREZ/FOR STATESMANJ healthy after a preseason knee balance they found last year injury sidelined him for all of behind Stephens, Marcelo aggressive guys," he said. "I and quickness," be said. well be in the cards, but the 2019,said. "Weneedtotakeit Alanis and an effective run thinkwehave7-8guysinthere "We'renot going to beasbig Cavaliers aren't putting any one day, one practice ata time. ning game. Three offensive who are starter-quality." as theline at say, North Shore, carts before the proverbial It's a process." line starters graduated, but Defensively, Raleigh Erwin butthatdoesn'tmean we can't horses. Players know there's "We're all preparing vig Jacob Tracy and Judge Niland leads a group that will blend be quicker than everyone." work to be done, one painful orously," Yaruell said. "We won'tbe wonting for talented sizeandspeedtoslow oppos It's no accident that Erwin stepat a time. know the goal and we're teammates. ing offenses. mentioned North Shoreand "Obviously we want to win workingtowarditharder than "Our offensive line is a "Our defensive line has its massive offensive line. A it, but we can't focus on it ever. We will make a run at it bunch of big, strong, smart really worked on our speed third straight meeting may fromthestart," McRee, 100% and it will be exciting." HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PRliSliASON TOP 10
In Central Texas, August means scorching days and heated preseason debates about the area's top high school football teams. Leading up to the season's kickoff, we unveil our Top 10, as selected by our high school reporting staff.
Cedar Pail receh,er Josh cameron, left, takes• end-aouncl behind wlle Wllbms en route lo a touchdown In the first quarter of a playoff game against McCallurn last season. Both return for a loaded offense. [PAUL KNIGHT/FOR STATESMAN] No. 2 Cedar Park Coach: Carl Abseck (58·9, Dripping Springs, Manvel and Taylor, defensive line sixth season) Richmond Foster all being man Murray Robinson 2019: 11-2, Class SA DI hlghly regarded, and District and defensive backs Josh regional semifinals 11 provides several oppo• Bretz, Casyn Weisenhutter Helkx OL Luke Williams, nents that could make runs andBlakeBurton mark the LB Shelby Battles, QB for a rematch. The potential otherreturningstartersfor Ryder Hernandez. WR Josh to reach the semifinals or the defense. Expect line Cameron, WR Gunnar Abseck AT&T Stadium Is there, but backers Logan Shaw and Goodbye: DL Ben Bell, OL they'll have to be at their best JavionMays,defensiveback CJ. Blackmon, RB Johnathon when the playoffs roll around. Michael Putney anddefen - Stockwell, DB Tammer Alzer sive end Ian Ferguson to Reblming starters: 7 offense, WILLIAMS LEADS have significant roles. 7 defense THE LINE 2019 stats: DID YOU KNOW? Averaged 36 ppg, allowed Williams, a senior, is 16.1 ppg. regarded as one of the top Since 2012, Cedar Park linemen in Class 5A and is one of three Austin QUESTIONS anchors a unit that returns area teams to win a UIL TO PONDER three starters along with state championship. The Nolan Seifert and Braxton Timberwolves won Class Wil l'Nlignment have an Tollett. Connor Mason is 4A Division II in 2012 and 1 impact? Cedar Park is anothertalent for a unit that Class 5A Division II in2015. in an eight-team district that iskey tothepassing attack Westlake (Class 6ADivision has three teams that dropped in giving Hernandez the II, 2019) and Lake Travis from Class 6A (Anderson, time he needs to throw. (Class 6A Division I, 2016) Hendrickson, Leander) and are the other area teams another which jumps from TALENTED RECEIVER witha UIL titleinthatspan. Division II after a playoff CORPS berth last season (Weiss). OURTAKE Abseck freely admits the dis Hernandez may be an trict is very tough and has no exceptional quarterback, l s RyderHernandez the weak opponents. "Everybody butbehas someprettyspe best quarterback to ever has good players, and If you cial receivers to throw the play at Cedar Park l' don't show up to play every ball to. Came.ron hauled in Rick Cantu; There have week, you're going to lose," 81 catches for 1,119 yards been some good ones to he said. and14touchdowns last fall, walk through the Cedar How dominant wll the and Gutmar Abseek made 76 Parklocker room over the 2 defense be? Known as receptions for 725yards and years, but I'mtaking Ryder. "Black Rain," the Cedar Park six scores. Twoother starters Forget the 34 TDs and defense allowed more than 17 returninPrestonScott and 64% completion rate last points only three times last TristanHervey, making the year for a minute. Look for year - ironically, it allowed Timberwolves' aerial assault those numbers to improve 17 points in both its losses especially dangerous. tbjs year bec ause the - with two of those occa Timberwolves are loaded sions coming In blowout wins STOPPING THE andhave a legitimate chance where the opponent scored OPPOSITION towinstate. late. Thanks to seven starters Thomas Jones: Ryder returning, the defense has the There's a reason Battles Hernandezhas setvirtually potential to be even stingier earned honorable mention every passing record at the than usual. all-state last year. The senior school, but has not won a Will the Timberwolves middle linebacker recorded statetitle - yet. I have togo 3 mallea deep playoff a whopping 115 tackles and, with Nate Grimm (the QB for run? With the personnel It alongwithmammoth 6-4, the 2012state championship brings back, Cedar Park has 240-pow1d defensive end team) and Mak Sexton(the all the tools to play deep into Hunter Hewitt (69 tack QB for the 2015 titlesquad). the postseason. But Region les, 20 TFL), will pace the Ill appears loaded with defense. Linebacker Luke Colby Gordon Hl~H SCHOOL FOOTBALL PRESEA.SON TOP 10
In Central Texas, August means scorching days and heated preseason debates about the area's top high school football teams. Leading up to the season's kickoff, we have unveiled our Top 10, as selected by our high school reporting staff.
Westlake's Zane Minors runs the ball during the 63-3 win by Westlake over Katy Taylor In last year's Class 6A Division II state semifinals. Aversatile running bad who can run and each the ball, Minors is part of a loaded Wesdoe l>Kldield. [PAUL BRICK FOO STATESMAN] No.1 Westlal
The 2020 high school football season will kick off Thursday when private schools and UIL schools in Class 4A and smaller are allowed to begin play. Schools in SA and 6A are not allowed to begin play until Sept. 24 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The American-Statesman has been counting dlown our pre season Top 10, regardless of classification:
Aug. 17: No. 10 Wimberley Aug. 18: No. 9 Vista Ridge Aug. 19: No. 8 Dripping Springs Aug. 20: No. 7 Liberty Hill Aug. 21: No. 6 LBJ Aug. 22: No. s Lampasas Aug. 23: No. 4 Vandegri~ Aug. 24: No. 3 Lake Travis Aug. 25: No. 2 Cedar Park Aug. 26: No. 1 Westlake HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: PRESEASON RANKINGS
Westlake footbal players hoist the sute championship trophy after beating Denton Guyer inlast yea's Class 6A Division II titlegane. The Chaps enter this season ranlled a10p the Amerfcan-Sutesman's preseason Class 6A pol. [STEPHEN SPILLMAN/ FOR STATESMAN] CLASS6A 4.Manor 8-6 Mustangs reloading under Team 2019 W·L new coach James Keller l . Wesllalle lS-1 after run to regional finals Defending Class 6A In DI Division II state champ 5. Georgetown 8-4 boasts stellar defense, Gritty Eagles return 13 young offensive lettermen in DI, including playmakers dual-threat QB Darson 2. Lake Travis 13-2 Herman Perennial state contender Also receiving votes: has made five straight McCallum, East View trips to at least state semifinals CLA.SS 4A AND 3. Villldegrift 11-1 BELOW Vipers haven't lost a regular-season game 1. Lampasas 13-2 since 2017 Coming off best playoff 4. V"rsta Ridge 8-3 run in school history in All -state QB Kyle Brown 4A DI and returns QB Ace returns for dynamic Whitehead offense 2. LBJ 8-3 S. Del Vale S-5 Jags drop to Class 4A Blue-chip recruits abound 01 after 15 consecutive for cardinals playoff berths at a higher Also receiving votes: classification Round Rock. Hays 3. Wlmbertey 12-4 QB move-In Matthew CLASS SA Tippie boosts talented offense for 4A DI I team Team 2019 W·L 4. Thorndale 9-3 l . Cedar Park 11·2 John Kovar takes over Loaded DI squad boasts football after successful dynamic passing game, stint as the boys basket touted "Black Rain" ball coach defense s. Regents 11-2 2. Ll>erty Hill 7-6 Former assistant Tim RBs Seward, Simpson Phillips takes owr for approached 4,000 com• Beck Brydon, who led bined yards rushing last TAPPS powerhouse to five season state titles and six other 3. Dripping Springs 9-2 title game appearances in Tigers have 40·8 record in 20 years. DI over past foursea• Also receiving votes: sons under coach Galen Giddings, Lago Vista Zimmerman Thomas Jones UPON FURTHER REVIEW Fingers crossed: Prep football kicks off
night are high school Thefirst sign that the games being played before season willbe a difficult communitiesthattake journey came Monday. The pride in their teams. Luling-Columbus opener Yet a dark cloud stretching slated for Friday night was from El Paso to Beaumont canceledbecauseoneLuling RidKCantu and Wichita Falls to player was diagnosed with Brownsville shows nosigns the virus. Halftheteam is ofdissipating. Theyear under quarantine, mak- t should come as no that COVID-19 changed ing it impossible to play, surprise thathigh school everyone's life is notover. district Superintendent Icoaches and players in Allowing our kids to play Erin Warrensaid. Texas aren't going to let football this fall is risky. Still, some area coaches, a global pandemic side Noonecandispute that. suchas Westlake's Todd line football season. Schools are bank- Dodge and Anderson's Tum onthelights. ing on safety measures Daniel Hunter, saycancel The season - atleast for suchas social distancing, ing theseason would have an Ascene that'shappening across the country: A hli,. school footbal Classes 4A to 1A - is upon masks and hand sanitizer adverse effect onplayers and field ispres.,ed for a game. In Texas, schools in ctass 4Aand below us. The glows you willsee to help everybody make start theirseasons Friday nighl, whle the bigger schools in Classes 6A from thefreeway Friday it through theseason. See CANTU, C3 and SA are stll a couple ofweeksaway. (DOUG ENGI.EJOCALA STAR-BANNER] divided onwhether to wherekids may go days CANTU allow fall sports to go on. before they reafu.e they AsthenationalCOVID- have(COVID-19), and From Page Cl 19 deathtollsurpasses in the meantimethey 180,oooand total cases have spread it to multiple approachomillion, more teammates andclass would stretch beyond thanadO'Lenstates have mates," Fenrichsaid. the gridiron. elected to shift football As for the season, the "Ihave multiple kids m season to the spring, medical advisory com myteam that willnotgrad includingfootball hot mittee passed ameasure uate ifwe do not have foot beds such as California. requiringthat students who ball," Hmter said. "Football Oregon, Colorado, Illinois test positive for COVID- is theirmainmotivation and North Carolina. 19 be deared by a physi for school andacalani:.s. This is abig gamble cian before returning to lamwonied that without for the un., the govern extracurricular activities. footballtheywill be the ing body ofhighschool While small schools in forgotten kidsthat never sports for more than Texas startFridaynight, graduated, and have little 1,300 schools inTexas, games for Classes 6A and options afterhighschcd" whichled the nation 5A will notbegin witil Sept. Cedar Park's Carl last year with 166,000 24. 1hepandemic does not Absecksaid players will kids playing football. appearto haw scared off be left wfth emotional 'Theissue conceD1s the many players. Lake Travis scarsiftheydon't get an UIL's medicaladvisory coachHank Carter said a CJWOrtwrityto play. committee. During ar~nt school-record 350 ath "Iftheydon'tplay, the virtualmeet:ingwith UIL letes have been preparing effects on them mentally, officials, a fewcommittee to play for the freshman, IX1ysically andemotion - members said COVID- 19 JV and varsity teams. allyaregoingtobefarmore is a "moving target" that Abseck reminded usthat damagingthanwhat the changes almost daily. high schoolfootbanis a virusis doing to loos of this Arnold Fenridl, a pedi voltmtary sport and ooth age," theTimb~lves atric cardidogi.stfrom inginlifecomes without coachsaid. ''This hasbeen Au.run, wondered,ifpro risk. Te:icas has never been proven as wellwith data fessionalsportsteams are koown for backing away points across the country having trouble containing from a battlewithout try talkingabout depressiOlL the coronavirus, what will. ing. The kids have aright ... For most kids, this is itdotosuc:h alargepool to try to make it work. the cahnination of mul ofhigh sc:hod players and "Atsome point we have tiple years ofinvestmmt, coaches? Tiloseproteams toleamtoworkwitbin their last chancewith have theresources to check the issues," Absecksaid. theirteam, teammates, players daily. Highschool "They are not going away coaches and represent- athletes,by comparison, are anytime soon. Weneed ing their comnnmity." not required to be tested. to find a way tolive with Across the country, "Ican't imagine how it. Even with a vaccine, though, opinions are that's going tobe in sdiools how effectivewillitbe?" Austin High bolstered by arrivals from rivals
Promising players programlast season. In addi Jennifer Orr. at Westlake, LTJoin tion, explosivehitterBrooke Lastseasonasasophomore, Maroons• volleyball Jeffrey will take the court for the 6-foot Kasen Rosenthal team Austin High aftershiningfor hammered 2ic;i kills and had Lake Travisa yearago. 94 digs and 40blocks while By Butch Hart ForLindsayRosenthaJ, it's helping Westlake share the American-Statesman a welcomed homecoming. She districttitlewithLake Travis. Correspondent helped Austin High toitsonly Shealso has experienceplay volleyball state championship ingsetteratthe clublevel and Several new faces onAustin in 1992 and is thrilled about wiU likely rotate in at both High's volleyball team wiU watchingher daughterswear positions for second-year look familiar to fans of theMaroons' colors. MaroonscoachKiley Woods. Westlake and Lake Travis - "It is exciting thatthegirls Like her oldersister, sopho and they couldhelp shiftthe aregoingtoAustin High,"she moreTanonRosteuthalplays balance ofpower in District said. "Of course, theirdad is bothsetterandoutsidehitter. 26-6A. there, but for me, it has such She impressed last season KasenandTanonRosenthal, wonderful memories. for Westlake coach Marci thedaughtersofAustin High Then known as Lindsay Laracuente while playing athletic director and head Treadwell, shewas partof a primarily on the subvarsity football coach Mike Rosenthal loaded squad coached byDana teams. and his wife, Lindsay, will join Hatchthat includedall-state "Coach Lar acuente did a Brooke Jeffrey impressed as a sophomore last season for Lilllle Travis their father atAustin High this setter Jesilyn Hatchandprep and lokled a loaded Auslal High program In the offseason. (JOHN fall after playing inWestlake's all-Americanoutside hitter SeeWESTLAKE, Ao GUTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN] championship in 2017 during of tall and talented middle WESTLAKE a two-year stmt in Class 5A. blockers in Sadie Swift and The Maroons went 20-12 a Deandra Pierce. The Maroons EromPageA5 year ago butfinished one game have plenty of firepower behind Hays for the fourth on the outside with 5-11 and final playoff spot. Ill addi Callie Ruark, 5-ll Samantha gre.11t job, but havingthe girls tion to Austin High, Hays, Unbehagen and 5-10 Lala at Austin High is very spe Lake Travis and Westlake, Joyner, and that group will cial," Lindsay Rosenthal said. the revamped District 26-6A be bolstered by the arrival of Last season, Jeffrey, a 6-1 also includes Bowie, Del Valle, Jeffrey and the Rosenthals. junior, had 184 kills and 9 6 Akins and San Marcos. Defensive special blocks for a team that won 38 Woods returned a strong ist Adrianna Gallegos and matches and reached thethird nucleus even before the new right side and setter Morgan round of the playoffs. additions, and she hopes to Castaneda will give Woods The addition of the help her program return to multiple options in terms of Rosenthals and Jeffrey bol its glory days under Hatch. A rotation. sters Austin High's hopes of Dallas-area native who played "I am really excited to get capturingitsfirst district title collegiately at Oregou.State, uu.derway," she said. "The in the state's largest classifi Woods won a state title as a players get along and have cation since the 1990s. Tbe high school player in Oregon. great familiarity. This will be program did win a district Austin High returns a pair a fun season." Virtual lesson disrupted byexplicit video, slurs
Lake Travis school repeatedly. In audio from the Hesaid thedistrictis work Group, said these kinds ofdis and officials know the login district Investigating video, then-word and other ingwithparentsandstudents ruptions are usually rootedin the intruderused. Buthesaid video conference hack foul language can be heard. whoare logging in from per lack of proper security steps thestepsthedistrict hastaken Severalstudents canbeheard sonal devices to make sure suchas using secured meeting over the past 24 hours will By Luz Moreno-Lozano asking thepersonto stopand they are using the assigned codes, passwords andwaiting make another such occurrence [email protected] asking the teacherto kickout login and passwords so rooms. He saiddistrictsusing as wilikely to happen again as the person. The teacher also teachers can verify who they these kinds ofcommunications humanly possible. Aseventh-gradesocialstud asks for the person to stop are allowing into the virtual toolsshouldbesureto enforce While theintruders have not ies class atLake Travis Middle before quickly asking students classroom. The district is those steps. beenidentified, officials said, School was disrupted Thursday tologout. also working with teachers The disruption can come ifa student is behind the dis asintruderstookoverthevir An email from Lake Travis ontactics andprocedures so fromastudent, whichishesaid ruption, consequences willbe tuallessontostream asexually Middle School Principal Lester theyunderstandtheright way isnotuncommon, because dis handeddown by theprincipal explicit video anduse profane Wolff was sent to parents toletkidsintotheclassroom. ruptionshawenvirtuallyandin accordingto the student code language andracial slurs. Thursdayevening informing "We arehandinga few other theclassroom. of conduct and the district's The Lake Travis school them oftheincident. He said pieces internally as well, to "With social disrupters, acceptable use policy, which district welcomed students this was an isolated incident, make sure our classroomsare these kinds ofincidents give students are required to sign back for thefirst dayofschool which is being aggressively safe andsecure," he said. them a certainsense ofpop before learning with digital Wednesday, but in a remote and thoroughlyinvestigated. As districts across the ularity among their friends tools. format amid the coronavirus " We take this matter countrybeginthenewschool or group," he said. "When He noted that good digital pandemic. Studentslog intoa seriouslyand are working dil year with remote-onlylearn you can't be a class clown in citizenshipisvitally important Google Meet at thebeginning igentlywithourinstructional ing, othereducatorsmight be school, you have to be class while students are learning ofeachclass periodfor instruc stafftoprovide guidance for faced with similarincidents. clownonline." remotely through the nextfew tion,andthatiswhenthevideo our teachers to avoid these Last week, a similar incident The Lake Travis district is weeks. conference was disrupted, offi types of disruptions moving was reported in Pflugerville offering virtual learning for "The main thing ends with cials said. forward," the email stated. whena virtualdass was dis all students through Sept. 4. thegolden rule, which is treat A video sharedwiththeLake Superintendent Paul rupted by intruders using Students working remotely others how you wanted to Travis View shows students Nortonsaid the teacher will racial slurs and foul lan areusing online learning and be treated," he said. "Virtual logged into a video confer only allow students into the guage. Last spring, a virtual communication tools such as classrooms are a different encewiththeir teacher when Google Meet links with their meeting ofBlack students at Schoology, the district learn environment. It comes down suddenly an explicit video of confirmedLake Travis school the University of Texas was ing management system, and to respect the privacyofothers scantily clad women danc district account. Students interrupted withracial slurs. Google Meet to engage inles in the classroom, and we are ing provocatively pops onto will not be permitted to log Spencer Coursen, a threat sonseachday. encouragingthatwithourstu the mainscreen. Inthe chat, in through a parent's email management expert for the Norton said the district has dentsandasking parents to help then-word canbeseentyped acconnt. Austin-based CoursenSecurity beeninvestigating theincident reinforcethatas well." Welcome back to (virtual) school
School bulldlngs eerily quiet, but onllne classrooms burst with energy as Lake Travis begins remote learning
By Luz Moreno-Lozano [email protected]
Itwas anawfullyquiet first day of school for Lake Travis educators with no enthusi astic greetings and hugs at the door or noisy hallways filled with students. The only evidence ofthe start ofthe new school year could be found in glowing computer screens and echo ing audio systems coming from classrooms of teach ers who were connecting live with students. Lake Travis schools wel comed back more than 11,000 students onAug. 19, butfrom a distance. The dis trict is providing only remote Bee cave Middle Sdlool band director Gret Demoore plays "Mary Had A Little Lamb," the first SOl1il learning through Sept. 7 in students will learn on the A'ench horn, during a virtual lesson Aug.19. [LUZ MORENO-LOZANCVLAKE TRAVIS VIEW] SeeVIRWAL, A8 Third grade teacher Erin Eskridge Introduces. her third grade class to new Superintendent Paul Norton during an Online lesson on A11g. 19. [LUZ MORENO-LOZANO/LAKE TRAVIS VIEW] at Rough Hollow were on their tube coiledinstru VIRTUAL campus last week teach ment by p]ayin.g "Mary ing from their classroom Had A Little Lamb" using FramPageAl desktops while a1so creat an enhanced microphone ing flexible environments and Google Meets to to engage with students. demonstrate finger place line with Travis County Frankhouser said ments and connect live. orders to help combat teachers were encour "Mary Had A Little the spread ofCOVID-19, aged to create places Lamb is actually the first the disease linked to the where they felt the most song you learn to play coronavirus. comfortable and could on the French horn," The district shuttered be successful in teach Demoore told students. all campuses il1 March in ing their students both Across campus, science response to the pandemic remotely and in person. teachers Mary Carnes but plans to reopen all Using large easel pads, and Kara King and con campuses, including the interactive bitmoji class tent master classroom newest campus, Rough rooms and smartboards, aide Lizette Cortes could Hollow Elementary, toin teachers are able to be seen meeting with person learning Sept. 8. engage and guide students students through smart Principal Angela through each lesson. boards and classroom Frankhouser said Fourth grade teacher desktops and engaging althoughemptyhallways Christine Pencak used in first day lessons. The and playgrounds were not a "find s01nething" at aroma of to-go meals the scenes district leaders home game to co11Dect wafted from the cafeteria had envisioned for the and break the ice among as workers staffed food opening of the campus, students. Across the ball stations and cash regis remote classrooms were Krista Crump, another ters for parents picking still filled with lots of fourth grade teacher, up breakfast and lunch excitement and energy. connected with students for their children. Jody Strauss, a second by sharing ideas and Superintendent Paul grade teacher at Rough encouraging the creation Norton, who took over Hollow Elementary, said of successful at-home earlier this month, vis Aug. IQ was an WlUSUal learning spaces. ited several classrooms first day, but she treated "Teachers have across the district, greet it just like any other. been incredibly flex ing students through She prepared her class ible and innovative in computer screens. He room for the day before creating their spaces,'' said it was strange not the bell raug and bopped Frankhouser said. "Andit having students walking on Google Meets for the has been so fun watching up the hallways but that first meeting of the day them be creative." it was rewarding to watch accompanied by class Middle and high school classrooms come to life roompet turtle, Shelly. teachers, many ofwbom virtually. "The first class meeting were back 011 campuses "There is still lots of went well, and the kids are across the district, were excitement and virtual all excited to be back," a]so finding innovative energy today," he said. Strauss said. "We started ways to connect virtu ''This is a new beginning online, and it's different. ally. Bee Cave Middle for all of us but it is excit But we connected and School band director Greg ing to see al] the work that was amazing. n Dem oore introduced new from thelast five months Most teachers and staff French horn players to come together today." Lake Travis grapples with back-to-school guidelines
Students allowed to The district welcomed back school districts all started return Sept. 8 more than 11,000 students classes remotely in recent remotely on Aug. 19 in an days. efforttocombat thespread of But there is a divide among By Luz Moreno-Lozano COVID-19, thedisease linked the Lake Travis community [email protected] tothe coronavirus. about whether classrooms Lake Travis is one of the should opensooner. In more Lake Travis studentswill be several school districts that than twohours ofpublic tes- allowedtoreturntothe class- began the new year virtu - timony during a school board roomon Sept. 8, three weeks ally. The Eanes, Lago Vista, meeting Aug. 19, parents, Parents. students and staff members took part in more than two afterthe new school year has Ge orgetown, Leander, hours of testimony ~119 bacll-to-school plans for Lake Travis begun. Pflugerville andRound Rock See SCHOOL, AS schools. (LUZ MORENCHOZANO/LAKETRAVIS VIEW] Norton said teachers we are doing our best to SCHOOL submitted applications accommodate as much to teach remotely with as possible." From Page AI doctor recommenda He noted that the class tions. District staff used a lists are not final. It is a scale to prioritize teacher living document, he said, teachers and students requests. adding that families have argued both sides of the Carol Creel, who was w1til Aug. 25 to decide if issue. one of several dozen between remote or in Several parents said teachers at Lake Travis person learning. remote learning was High School who were The district will allow ineffective for their chil denied a request to students to return to dren, citing the negative work remotely, spoke campus on Sept. 8, where effects on mental health during public comments the school day will look and the lack ofresources Wednesday urging the different. Hallway direc to help their children be board to reconsider the tional signage, socially successful plan, taking better con distant lunch rooms, Raquel Rodriguez, a siderationofteachers. classrooms and buses and mother oftwo, urged the A teacher for 20 years facial coverings will be board to reopen schools to who is also the highschool some ofthe new normals. families who want it, and tennis coach .and a French Students and staff are ultimately pass that deci teacher, said her husband, required to self screen sion on to families. who had kidney cancer, is for the virus daily, prior "Lake Travis ISD gave at high risk for contract to arriving on campus. parents the choice to ingthevirus, so returning All campus visitors will choose remote learn- to campus is notthe safest also be screened before ing orinperson, so open option for her family. entering. our schools," she said. Norton said at the Under new Texas "For those families not elementary level it was Education Agency rules, concerned, give them easier to meet requests for campuseswill berequired the choice to attend in remote teachers because daily to report any con person with or without many teachers have the firmed corouavirus cases masks or with or without same certification, but among staff and students distancing. By passing the at the secondary level it to the Texas Department choice to families itmakes was a more difficult to of State Health Services. them responsible for their accommodate remote The agency willkeep a tally decisions." learning requests because of the cases and publicly The district gave par - teachers have specific report the data by school ents an option to allow certifications. district on its website. their children to learn "All these accommo Districts also must con - remotely or return to dations we offer to our tinuetoreportsuchcases to campus. At press time, students, th.estate does their local health agencies, Superintendent Paul not require us to, but we whichisrequiredbylaw. Norton said the district do it because we want Procedures, in is expecting about 65% our students to have accordance with state of students to return to those learning opportu- guidelines, have been put campus on Sept. 8. nities," he said. "We take into place for Lake Travis But for teachers the the health and safety of schools should a student choice to return was a our teachers, staff and or teacher test positive for little more complicated. students seriously and the coronavirus. Student T-shirt campaign sparl
Lake Travis seniors launched an inclusivity plan to wear Black campaign this sUIIlliler by Lives Matter shirts sellingT-shirtsemblazoned to school, prompting with "Black Lives Matter," some parents to object she supported their efforts, especially because the stu- dents intended to make a ByLeslee Bassman statement by wearing the Contributing writer shirts on the first day of in-class learning in early For parent Angel a September. Morrow, raising her teens The students createdsoc ial tobe independent thinkers media accounts and order has always beena top prior forms, secured sponsors and Lauren White, right, a Lake Travis school district board member, ity, alongwithensuringthey responded to questions and speaks with parents before the meeting Aug. 19. A small group are "socially responsible, concerns "with compassion showed support of high school seniors who plan to wear T-shirts empathetic and goal driven." and respect," stated Morrow advocating the Black Lives Matter movement on the first day of So when a group of seniors in-person learning in September. The statement has drawn the at Lake Travis High School SeeT-SHIRT, A8 opposit.ion of some parents. [PHOTO BY LESLEE SASSMAN] llJ!!.i LT5eniorsForBLM @LTSeniorsForBLM • Jul 20 V 'ii' This is the t-shirt design!
A group ol Lab'Travis High school seniors plan to wear this T-shirt in support of the Blacll: Lives Matter movement to their fust day ofin-person learning next month. but the BLM organization to teachers and staff as T-SHIRT is not an organization well," she said. that any school or any According to the stu FromPageAJ government should be dent code of conduct, the advocating," she said. district prohibits cloth "Politics doesn't belong ing that in theprincipal's in an Aug. 19 email to the in school." judgment may cause dis Lake Travis district's Other parents ruption of normal school school board on behalf of expressed concern about operations. thestudentsin charge of Black Lives Matter. One The district also bans the project. mother who asked not clothing with pictures According to the LT to be identified said or writings that are lewd, Seniors for BLM Twitter the movement was "a offensive, vulgar or account created by the Marxist, Communist obscene, or that adver seniors, "the goal of organization." tises or depicts tobacco the project is to have But Morrow urged products, alcoholic bev everyone (who) wants the district "'to support erages, drugs or other to participate wear this diversity, inclusivity, prohibited substances. shirt on the first day of free speech and appro Superintendent Paul school," with a portion priate student-driven Norton said said there ofthe sales contributed initiatives." are guidelines for sell to charities supporting "I stand with them ing T-shirts on campus, the Black Lives Matter against intolerance and which apply to all stu movement. hate," she stated regard dent groups, clubs and "Recent events have ing the senioxs' project. orgauizations. shown us how much Laurie Higginbotham, LT Seniors will be of an impact the youth an attorney and Lakeway required to follow the has," the page stated. City Collllcil's mayor same rules and the dis "Lake Travis High School pro tern who spoke on trict is working with is a great place to spread behalf ofthe LT Seniors them. awareness and show group at a school board "By all means, we will compassion. It is our job meeting Aug. IQ, said support students aca - to change our future for students have the right demically,butequallyas the better. n towear expressive cloth important is our support But some residents are ing as long as it does not for social and emotional challenging the T-shirt interfere with instruc learning," he said. "We plan. tion or contain explicit respect and support all With a senior and content. The item was student voices. ln this freshman at the high not on the agenda but particular case, these school, resident Michelle residents addressed the are young adults who are Woodruff said "it's fine" board during the citizen trying to do good. They for the students to wear comment portion of the are well intended. This the shirts to school but session. is a learning opportunity "didn't know that nec "I assure you that you for our students." essarilythe school needs are well grounded to to be covering political support students' right - Luz Moreno- issues." of expression and that Lozano contributed "Black lives do matter right should be extended to this report. School's virtual lesson disrupted by explicit video, slurs
ByLuz Moreno -Lozano instruction and that iswhen asks for the person to stop account. The Lake Travis district is [email protected] thevideo conference was dis - before quickly asking students He said thedistrict is work offering virtual learning fo r rupted. officials said. tologout. ingwith parents and students all students throughSept. 4. A seventh-grade social A video shared with the An email from Lake Travis who areloggingin from per- Students working remotely studies class at Lake Travis View shows students logged Middle School principal Lester sonal devices to make sure are using online learning and Middle School was disrupted intoa video conference with Wolff was sent to parents they are using the assigned communication tools suchas last Thursday as intruders their teacher when suddenly Thursday evening informing login and passwor ds so Schoology, thedistrict learn took over the virtuallesson an explicit video of scantily them ofthe incident. He said teachers can verify who they ing management system, and to stream a sexually explicit clad women dancing pro this wasanisolated incident, are allowing into the virtual GoogleMeettoengageinles video and use profane lan vocatively pops onto the which is being aggressively classroom. sons each day. guage and racial slurs. main screen. In the chat, the and thoroughly investigated. The district is also working Norton said thedistrict has The Lake Travis school n -word can be seen typed Superintendent Paul with teachers on tactics and been investigating the inci district welcomed students repeatedly. Inaudio from the Norton said the teacher will procedures so they under dent and officials know the back for the first day ofschool video, then-word and other only allow students into the standtheright way tolet kids login the intruder used. But Wednesday, but in a remote foul language can be heard. Google Meet links with their intothe classroom. he saidthe steps the district format amidthe coronavirus Several students can beheard confirmed Lake Travis school "We are handing a few other has takenwill make another pandemic. Students log into asking thepersonto stopand district account. Students pieces internally as well, to such occurrence as unlikely a Google Meet at the begin asking the teacher to kick out will notbe permitted to log make sure ourclassrooms are to happen again as humanly ning ofeach class period for the person. The teacher also in through a parent's email safe and secure," he said. possible. Officials: Students exposed to inappropriate website on Zoom
By LuzMoreno-Loza.no seen an icon for aninapiropri emailisnecessary.n was reported in Pflugerville took overthevirtual lesson to lmoreno·[email protected] ate website on the teacher's Theincidentisnnder inves when a virtualclass was dis stream a sexually explicit video desktop. tigation and Eanes district ruptedbyintruders using racial and use profane language and An inappropriate website 1'Wbile the icon itself was officials said approJXiate action slurs and foul language. Last racial slurs. seen on a teacher's desktop notinapproJriate,thename of willbetaken. spring, avirtualmeetingofBlack Technologyandconnectivity during a Zoom class at West thesitereferenced nnsuitable As districts across thecountry students at the University of issuesarealso expected tobean Ridge Mildle ScboolonMonday material," the email stated. beginthe newschool year with Texas also was interrupted with issue while studentsand teacher is being investigated, Eanes "We recognize students are remote-onlylearning, educa racialslurs. OnThursday, a sev are learning remotely. Leander school district officials said. talking (about) andsharing the torsmightbefaced with similar enth-gradesocial studies class schools had to cancel the first In ai1 email to parents, the screenshotofthe icon, whichis virtual disruptions. atLake Travis Middle School two days of school for high district said students mayhave whywe believe a school-wide Thisroonthasimilarincident was disrupted as intruders schoolbecauseoftechissues. 100 YEARS OF THE UlL TOP 100: OUR BEST PLAYERS EVER
In honor of 100 years of the lftl.., tl1e American-Statesman sports staff has seledl!d the top 100 pJ.ayers who participaled in high school footbal i'I schools from the Austin area. Among the best of the best. dodlwise from top left, are old Anderson Higb's Dick MNight Train" Lane., westlalle's Drew Brees, Lake Tlavls' Baker Mayflefd, Burners Jordan Shlpley and Lake D'avls' Ganett GIibert. see C4-S for the complete lisl [AMERICAN-STATESMAN FILE PHOTOS] HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PRESIASON PREVIEW: TOP 100 FRIDAY NIGHT HEIGHTS Ranking the Austin area's top 100 19. John Symank, LaGrange: 44. Regale BNJWD, Reagan: Twenty all-time pl~ers Neller the biggest and never the three years ago, the promising young fastest, no one had more fl)ht linebacker for the Detroit Lions lay By Thomas Jones than thefomer standout forLa motionless on the turf of the Pontiac tjooe @statesman.com Qar1ge andcaldwell. Syman< Silverdome struggUn11 to breath. A played all overthefleld i1 his sJinal cord inJLrY suffE!f'ed in the final TheUniVE!l'SityInterscholmtic prqi careEr in the early 19505 game of his second NFL season led to League, the state's governing and be<3ne an all-Ameril31 a frantic effort to save his life, and an body of high school athletics tm-wayplayer at Florida. The extensive and grueling rehabilitation for p.iblic schools, celebrates its legend.vy Vince Lombardi enabled Brown to eventually leave 10 oth anniversary this school selected the 5-foot-11, 111). his wheelchair and walk again. The year. Inhonorofthat milestone, pound Syllliln( late in the 1957 all-state player at Reagan and all theAmeri.can-Statesmansports draftfa the Green Bay Packers, American selection atl'ex.as A&M left staff has selected the top 100 and he emerged as a stcm,g the game way too early, but his inspi players who participated in high defensive back with anota>le rational career after football lndudes school football in schools from mean streak. "There Is no actor mentorln!I young athletes and !living theAmtinarea. i1 Symank,• Lornbarci ...... me i1 motivational speeches about the From the small towns and his book. "Run ID Dayight." "He power of perseverance. the segregation era to the city Is serious and Intense. and In schools andthe modem game, a gane he 'Mltlld jlstas soon this is our ranked list ofthe best break yotr leg asnat. He has players to evertakethe ~diron made it in thisle~because Forml!I' Reagan and TeJaS A&M stu linebacbr Ref9ie Brown addressed the media from a Detroit hospilal inCentral Texas: he getsa geatdeal more out r:i in January 1998, a few weeks after suffering a career-ending spinal cord injury four days before Christmas l. Dick Lane, Ander5un Yelow hinself1han his ablity and si:ze 1997 while playing for the Detroit Uons. [l(IRTHMON F. DOZIERll