HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: CLASS 6A Cedar Ridge ends two-game losing streal<, fends off McNeil

Norris guides Lake Travis to s-o with win over Bowle

By stephenWagner American -Statesman Correspondent

Cedar Ridge wasn't going to be upset on itshomecoming. The Raiders' rushing attack shone through once again in Friday night's 34-7 win over McNeil, running for 238 yards and three touchdowns tosnap a two-game losing streak. However, Cedar Ridge strug­ gled to find its footing early on and trailed the winless Mavericks in the first half. "We didn't really start slow, we got stops ondefense (but} couldn't finish itoff (and hadto} kick field goals instead of scoring touchdowns," Cedar Ridge head coach Sam Robinson said after the game. "Their defense threw a lot of stuffat us inthe first half and held their own." McNeil's defense did more than simply hold its ownin thefirst half. After a promis­ ing interception return setthe Raiders inside the Mavericks' 10-yardlineup 6-o, McNeil Cedar Ridge lnebacker Joseph captain looks to bottle up McNel wide receiver Mark Henke during Cedar Ridge's 34-7 win Friday at Kelly defensive back Mekhai Reeves Athletic Complex. [JOHN GUTIERREZ FOR STATESMAN] Coleman was determined to shiftthe tide ofthe game. Cedar Ridge running back Dylan Morello swung out of the backfield on a wheel route as quarterbaclc Joaquin Sandoval dropped back to pass. Sandoval immedi­ ately looked to Morello, wide openturning out ofhis break towardthe end zone. Coleman read it allthe way. He stepped hardtoward the running back, snagged the balland returned it 50 yards into Raider territory. Coleman pWlched itin ona 5-yard touchdown run later that drive to give McNeil (0-7, 0-5 in District 25-6A) Vista Ridge quarterback Kyle Brown scrambles awayfrom Hutto a 7-6 lead in the second defender Braylon SUgg during the Rangers' 27-13 win at Hutto High Round Rock defenders, from left, 'D'avien Brown, Parker Kuhn quarter. School on Friday. [PAUL KNIGHT FOR STATESMAN] and Luke Dodds tackle Stony Point punter Isiah Garcia during the "That was a badturnover,n Dragons' 45-6 win over Stony Poi1t at Dragon Stadium on Friday. Robinson said. "You've got to [HENRY HUEY FOR STATESMAN] punch those in. As we go onin is a senior atBaylor. quarter. district (play), we'regoing to Pressed for his opinion Akins held Westlake to havetopunchthose in towin aboutthe quarterbacktalent its lowest point total of the and ran it back 24 yards to (5-2, 3-1)witha28-6halftime games.n in the 512 area code, Dodge, season. set Brown and the Rangers advantage. But the Raiders' offense who played quarterback for "They're good ballplayers. offense up inside the Hippo wasn't going tolet its home­ the Longhorns from 1982- They get after it. We need 5-yard line. Brown found Bob Brinkman, American­ coming game slip away. 1985, said the quality at the more players like them," Hegtvedt for a short touch­ Statesman correspondent Later that quarter, Cedar position has never been Akins coach Humberto Garza down pass onthe nextplay. Ridge (3-3, 2-2) hunkered higher. said of his defensive backs. Hutto sophomore Theo Lake Travis 52, Bowie 2: down in its jumbo formation "I was driving towork the "You look at the scoreboard Anderson also had a night to Weston Stephens rushed for onthe goal line and running othermorning thinking about and they scored 40-some­ rememberwithtwo intercep­ 153 yards and three touch­ back and linebacker Joseph it," Dodge said. "Idon'tthink thing points, lbut I thought tions, both of which came downs to help Lake Travis Captain powered in a two­ it's ever happened that you our defense did what they whenVista Ridge had theball roll past Bowie despite the yard touchdown to snag a have two quarterbacks from could and fought until the inHutto territory. absence ofsophomore quar­ 12-7 leadat thehalf. the Austin area, really high end. That's all we can ask," terback Bo Edmundson. The second half wasfar less profile scholarship guys that Alberto Alvarado, American­ While Isaac Norris set- competitive. are playing at the University John Harris, American­ Statesman correspondent tied in at quarterback, the Morello busted a 25-yard ofTexas atthe same time, and Statesman correspondent Cavaliers (5-0, 4-0inDistrict touchdown run on the another one who got an offer Round Rock 45, Stony 26-6A) leaned on their rush­ Raiders' first drive ofthehalf. from them. And you also have Vista Ridge 27, Hutto 13: Point o: Round Rock capi­ ing attack and a dominating Captain, again in a goal-line Charles Wright who's com­ Kyle Brown was able to find talized on Stony Point special defense to maintain con­ jumbo formation, ran in his mitted to play there. It just theendzone four times while teams woes for three of its trol. Norris suffered an early second touchdown of the shows the caliber offootball Jay White came up with two four first-half touchdowns safety but bounced back to nightonthefollowing drive. in this area." key fumble recoveries to help and rolled onto a district vic­ pass for 127 yards and two Sandoval connected with Austin has a long history Vista Ridge hold off Hutto at toryand homecoming win. touchdowns while adding a wide receiver Victor Taylor for producing elite quarter- Hutto Memorial Stadium A snap over the punter's third onthe grow1d. Jr. for the dagger in thefourth back talent. Super Bowl MVPs on Friday and pick up a key head, a fumbled punt return After rushing for a 5-yard quarter, puttingCedar Ridge Drew Brees (Westlake) and District 25-6A road win. and a missed field goal bythe score, Norris connected up34-7. Nick Foles (Westlake) and Brown finished the night Tigers were all answered with with Jackson Scruggs for Back at .500 after losing No. 1 overall NFL draft pick with 341 yards and four touchdowns bytheDragons, touchdowns on back-to­ consecutive district games, Baker Mayfield (Lake Travis) touchdowns on 30-of- whoturned a tense 7-6 first back drives late inthesecond Friday's win keeps Cedar immediately come to mind. 39 passing while Kwade quarter score into a more quarter to open up a 28-2 Ridge in contention for the However, they graduated Hegtvedt had 154 yards on comfortable three-touch­ lead. Stephens and Marcelo fourth-place playoff spot. from high school in different 11 receptions to help Vista down halftime cushion. Alanis ran for third-quarter Westlake 48, Akins o: eras. Ridge (6-1, 4-ll) hold its spot The Dragons defense frus­ touchdowns to putthe game The quality of high school Against Akins, Klubnik in second place. trated Stony Point most of away. quarterback play in the tossed two touchdown passes Sophomore Brody Bujnoch the night, notching sixsacks, The Cavaliers also got a greater Austin area is entering and ran for another score as was a two-way standout for including Travien Brown's dominating defensive effort, a new, lofty era. On Friday, Westlake built a 31-0 half­ Hutto (3-3, 2-2) posting an 3.5, plus another eight runs sacking Bowie quarterbacks it was Westlake junior Cade time lead. Klubnik departed interception and a rushing and two passes netting no six times and recovering a pair Klubnik's turn to carry the after connecting withsenior score. gain or a loss. offumbles, one of which Evan baton across the finish line. runningback Zane Minors for The Rangers jumped out Round Rock running back Kelley returned 75 yards for a A week after receiving a a 35-yard score with9 :17 left to a 20-0 first-halfleadbut Israel Morgan tallied 96 fourth-quarter touchdown. scholarship offer from Texas, in thethird quarter. hadtoholdoffa Hutto surge yards andthree touchdowns Bowie (2-3, 2-2) finished Klubnik passed for 200 yards "With UT offering, it in the second half. by halftime, finishing with with just 209 totalyards, 99 and accounted for three was definitely pretty cool,,, Brown found Alex 101 yards and four scores. ofwhich came inthe fourth touchdowns inless than2 ½ Klubnik said. "But that's not Berndlmaier for an 8-yard Quarterback Seth Ford quarter. quarters in the Chaparrals' an automatic thing for me. touchdown pass, his fourth threw for one score and ran Stephens scored 011 runs of 48-owinoverAkins atBurger I'mstill very new in my pro­ of the night, midway through for another. The Tigers' 42, 44 and 18 yards to pace Stadium. cess. I'mtaking my time. 11 the fourth quarter and the Cameron Cook rushed for a Lake Travis rushing attack It was the fourth shutout Said Dodge: "You never Rangers forced a Hutto three­ 130 yards in thefirst half and that gained 315 yards. Alanis of the season for Westlake, know how a junior in high and-out on the ensuing Hippo finished witha game-high 143 added 89 yards on his 10 which improved to 6-o and school is going to actwith20 driveto end thefinal threat. onthe ground andthe Tigers 1 carries. 4-0 inDistrict26-6A. Akins Power 5 (scholarship) offers. It was White's play on only score through the air. Edmundson suffered a isl-6, 0-5. They may completely lose defense that gave the Rangers Stony Point (1-3, 0-3 in knee injury at practice on One day earlier, Austin their mind andget a big head. greatfield position andcon- District 25-6A) stonewalled Wednesday, pushing Norris High senior and UT recruit He's been very grounded. He trolofthe game early. the Dragons' first posses­ from receiver to quarter­ Charles Wright threw five isn't letting any ofthat stuff The defensive lineman sion, taking over on downs back. Edmundson had earned touchdown passes against getinthe way ofleading this pounced on a Hutto fumble at the Tigers' 41 after line­ the starting job - replacing Hays. Wright will join current team." late in the first quarter to man Alonzo Brand ran down injured senior Nate Yarnell - UTfreshman quarterback and Both of Klubnik's touch­ give Vista Ridge possession Ford on fourth-and-6. But in a preseason competition. Lake Travis productHudson down passes followed his on the Hippo 21-yard line theTigers could not advance, Norris shook off some rust Card on the 40 Acres next first interception of the with 1:22 left in the opening and the punt snap sailed and led the Cavaliers topoints season. Current UT senior season against Akins' hyper­ quarter. Brown connected high, with Dragons Brown onsix straight drives before starting quarterback Sam aggressive secondary, which with Dayton Bombarger two and Parker Kuhn smothering coming out of the game late Ehlinger starred at Westlake featured junior KimaniSmith plays later toputtheRangers Isiah Garcia and theball atthe in the third quarter. under coach Todd Dodge. and senior Robert Mallet IV, ahead 6-o. Tigers 10. Another former Lake Travis who recorded the intercep­ White picked up a fumble Thatset off a string ofmis­ Jay Plotkin, American­ quarterback, Charlie Brewer, tion at thestart ofthesecond on the ensuing Hutto drive cues that left Round Rock Statesman correspondent STATE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES

FRIDAY'S SCORES carroo o Peace& Olton 42, Fllnllell 21 Tuscola Jim Ned 42, Clyde 6 A&M Consolidated 42, Montgomerylake Creek28 Cranfills Gap def. Iredell, forfeit Houston Milby def. Angleton, forfeit Omaha Pewitt 44, ~water 6 Tyler 10, ~tMesqlite 3 Abernathy 20, coahoma 14 Crockett 39, 1tinity o Houston Sea>nd Baptist33, Fort Bend Clristian 14 Olona 20, Johnson City, N.Y. 0 Tyler Chapel lill 42. Henderson 28 Abilene Wylie 44, Wichita Falls 14 Cros.1 Plains 56, Meridian 0 Houston St Pius X48, SA Christian 6 Palacios 67, Orange Grwe 52 Tyler se,,elt21 Perryton 3, Borger 0 WF City View S5, Nocona 24 Anson !ii>, Colorado City 14 Dallas Adams 41, carrollton linero Ingleside 40, CC West OSO 14 ~erville27, l'ftugerville Weiss 20 WICO li-.-e Oak Classical 46, Kennedale fellowship Argyle 28, Pans 7 Dallas Carter SD, Dallas lb>sevelt 12 IOWII Parl< 48, ~ 7 ~erville Hendridcson 52, Manor 27 20 Arlington Martin 55, Ar1ington Bowie 23 Dallas Christian S6, Frisco Legacy Christian 16 Ira S2, Aspermont 6 Plano 42, Lewisville Hebron 38 WIii 19, F.ar)y7 Arlington Seguin 35, Bur1eson 21 Dallas Highland Parl< 18, Longview 13 Irving Nimitz 31, Irving 13 Plano Coram Deo 48, Rockwall HeritageO W&skom 54, New Diana o Atlanta 41, JeffeJSOn 8 Dallas Hillcrest 57, Seagoville 38 Italy 61, Marlin 6 Plano west 34, Plano East 26 Wlxahachle 31, Mansfield Lake Ridge 21 A!ixey 42, Van Alstyne 3 Dallas lakehill 64, ning The Highlands 16 Jasper 41, Madisonville 6 Alst def. lahoka, forfeit weatherfonl 49, FW Paschal 14 Austin I.ASA 38, Austin £astside Memorial o Dallas Life oak Cliff 57, Dallas A+ Academy o Jayton 67, Matador Motley Colllty so Alteet 14, Universal City Randolph 7 Weathertonl Clristlan 23, fW ll!mple Christian 21 Austin St Michael 34, Austin Hyde Par1< 12 Dallas Lincoln 52, North Dallas 13 Jonesboro 78, Evant 31 Alth 33, Natalia 26 welfington 38, Wheeler 7 Austin Westlake 48, Austin Akins o Dallas Samuell 44, Dallas sunset34 Karnes City 28, Stoddale27 Alttsboro 22. Wi111sboro 21 Weslaco 28, Harlingeri south 14 Azle 70, rfeit Baptist 12 Duncanville 74, Hewittt.tdway 21 Lake navis 52, Austin Bowie 2 Richmond Foster def. Wisdom, forfeit Winters def. Coleman, forfeit Beaumont West Brook 41, Humble 14 EP Parkland 38, Clint Horizon 0 Lamesa Klondike S6, We'lch Dawson o Riesel def. Bllfalo, forfeit Vtwdville 27, Anahuac 22 Beckville 49, Franlcsto n 21 Eagle Pass 35, Laredo Nixon 16 Lampasas S6, Redericksborg 20 Rio Grande City La Grulla 28, Kingsville King 20 voamn 62. Hempstead 1J BelMlle def. SWeeny, forfeit ustlw &s. Dubfin 19 lanldo United 20, Del Ao 13 Ibby def. lbtan, forieit Zap;ata 24, Hidalgo 20 Big Lale Reagan COllltY JS, Stanton 26 B Campo 40, Needville 21 League City Clear Creek 47, Houston Clear Lake 20 lbchelle 71, Mullin 38 Big Sandy Harmony (Gilmer) 28, Winona 14 B Maton Tidehaven 39, Danbl.l)' 0 League City ClearSprings34. C1ute Bnzoswood 7 lbckport-fillton def. RomtONI\ forfeit THURSDAY'S SCORES Bladtwell 52, Loraine 44 EldOllldo def. Junction, forfeit Leakey def. Prairie lea, forfeit lbckwall 45, 'Tyler Legacy 40 Afton Patton Springs 52, Gutll'ie 26 Blanket def. Valera PantherCreek. forfeit Emory Rains 62, Bonham 20 lenorah Grady 52. TLC Yidland7 lbckwall-lleath 58, Nortll MesquiteO Anton def. Lazbuddie. forfeit Blooning GnM! 51, Rioe 7 Enris 54, Crandall 9 Leonard 100, Whitewright 0 lbgers 54, Florence 14 Austin Mccallum 14, Marble Falls o Blue Rldge def. Lone Oak. forfeit Evadale 22, Burleville 0 Lew~lle 51. LewisvJlle IFlov.er t.llund 21 lbl.lld Rock45, Rotnl lb:k stonyPoint 6 Austin Yandegritt 38, lbu nd Rock Westwood 7 Blum n,A'Alon 11 Everman 54, Clebwne 14 Lewiswlle Marws 38, COppell 24 lbl.lld RockcedarRidge 34, lbund Rock McNeil 7 Balmomea 46, Sanderson o Borden COllltY def. W!llmart-tKtion, forfeit FW Co'lenant Cl.mica! 76, Dallas Fairt.116 Lexington 47, Clifton 12 SA Alamo Heights 23, 9lerne-Champion 20 Baytown Lee 48, Galveston Ball 44 Bosqueville 49, Hamilton 14 FW Lake COUntry 21, Lubbock ltinity 14 Lindale 47, Kil~ 40 SA Antonian 34, lbmbilll Concordia 10 Benjamin 46, Harrold 0 ~eGold-Burg so, R>restburg o FW Southwest CMStian 49, Flower Mound Coram Lindsay 65, Trenton 22 SA Central catholic 40, Katy Pope John 20 Brownsville Porter 44, Brownsville Lopez 12 8o)1d 41, Bowie 0 Deo 10 Little River Academy 42, 1toy 21 SA Elison 23, SA Jefferson 6 Blllla H~41, Austin tigh 3S Breckenridge 42, San Angelo "A!xas leadership o Fischer Canyon Lake 28, Bwnet 16 Littlefield 26, MlffShoe o SA Johnson 49, SA Roosevelt 34 cc Flour Bluff54, cc a.t,ody 7 Brock 66, Pilot Point 21 fort Bend Ridge l'Oint 38, Richmond George Livingston 21, Huffman tergrave 20 SA NorthsideTaftlS, SA Northside ~n14 Cibolo Steele 42, SA Wagner 27 Brookesnith 71, Sidney52 Ranch21 Longview Pine ltee49, Jacksonville 42 SA Reagan 35, SA Churchill 7 Crosby 55, Humble Kingwood Parl< 17 Brookshire Royalllton smith 10 Buda Johnsondef. SA Veterans Metnorial, forfeft Frisco Independence 55, Frisco Wakl!land 28 Luling 7, Comfort 0 San Diego 28, Lyford 24 East Chambers 42, CIN!land 'IMldngton 6 Bliwrde Braden S6, Austin Hill Co1.11t,y 6 Galena Park North Shore 63, Humble Kingwood 6 Mabank 24, Athens 17 santa re S6, Dayton 35 Edinburg North 42, Ecinburg Economedes 6 &r.ar 6 Burieson centennial 41, Midlothian 13 Garland ~tt35, Garland 28 Marble falls Faith 66, __,LOI RockCl'listian 8 seminole 49, Levelland 48 Follett def. Hedley, forfeit Byron Nelson 38, KellerTtmher Cleek 31 Gatesville46, Peals 'IT Mason 49, Bracketto Shiner SL Paul 49, Schertz .lohn Paul 1121 Fort Bend ltavis41, Fort Bend Bush 7 CC Calallen 28. Port lanai Calhoun 7 Georgetown 42, Austin Andeison 35 Mathis 19, Aransas Pass 7 Simms Bowie 54, Maud 42 Frisco liberty 40, Frisco Lebanon Trail 3S CC John Paul 49, BrO\tlflmlle SL Joseph 34 Gholson def. Abbott, forfeit May 61, lingleville 6 Skidmore-fyran 46, Banquete 33 Frisco IDne Star 62, Denton 6 CC Miller 86, BeedleJones 76 Gilmer 31, Teicarlcana PleasantGrove 28 Mccamey 56. sea~es21 Smithville 31,La Grange 13 Galena Pait 44, Houston Northside 6 caddo M~ls 41, Wills Point 3 Glen belS, fi!rris8 McGregor 41, Caldwell 41 Smyer 54, --,pesville Ropes 28 Gmpevine 34, FW soutl'Mest 27 tallisb.-g 21, Valley View 14 Gocley 62, \ffils 16 MclCiMeyCl'listian56, Dallas Bishop Dime 0 sourLake Hanlin-Jefferson 19, Orangefield 13, OT Jersey Village JS, HOIISton Spring Woods 0 Calvert def. oakwood, forfeit Grand Oaks 19, conroe 18 MclCiMeyComerstoneCfhristian Academy 86, south Grand Prairie27, Arlington Houston o Killeen Shoemaker 42, Bryan 30 Canadian 63, Childress 13 Grand Saline 34, Arp 27 waco Vanguanl 66 SOuthlake carroll 49, Keller Central 20 Lancaster 83, Dallas Mn Una o canyon 53, Hereford o Grandfalls·~alty def. Siena Blanca, forfeit McKinney North S2, Wylie East 31 Spearman 42,lblia 14 Laredo Urited south 35, Laredo Alexander 13 canyon Randall 48, Plainview 6 Grandview 52, Dallas Madison 17 Melissa 52. Kaufman 14 SC>lendora 30,Little Cypress-Mauria!ville o Lubbock Monterey 35, Amarillo taprock 20 castroville Medina Valley 7, Lockhart O Greenvale Christian 58, Longview Heritage 47 Mertzon Irion County 78, Eden S2 Springlake.£arth 54, Kress 8 Lucas I.Ovejoy 56, Risco Memorial 28 C1lyuga 74, Axtell 41 Gregory-Portland 22, CC King 19 Mesquite 54, Mescpte Hom 20 Sj)ur 81, Pacil:ah 75, OT Malakoff 62, Eustace 0 Cedar Hill 49, De Soto 42 Groom 54, Wiklorado 8 Mexia 21, Canton 13 staffonl 30, BayCity 19 Mansfield Legacy 49, N. Richland Hills Binlville 28 Cedar Plrk60, Leander 7 Gunter 56, Sadler s&s Cor15olidated 0 Miami S9, Dlrrouzett 6 Stamford 56, Haskell 32 Manvel 49, Fort Bend tiglrtower38 Cedar PllrkSummit48, Spring Blllnch Living Gustine 58, Bluff Dale 52 Midland Lee SO, Wolfforth Frenslip 21 sterling City 76, Robert lee0 McAllen Memorial 28, PSIA North 19 lb:kO Hale Center so, Floydada 14 MIiford 60, COVington 20 Stinnettwest '16as 49, a,ys Ranch 6 Nazareth 59, Roby 54 cedar ParkYista Ridge 27, Hutto 13 Hallettsville 54, Hitchcock39 Millsap 35, Jacksboro 26 stratford 62, looter13 New caney Porter49, Conroe Caney Creek 3 center 35, Rusk 18 Hallettsville Sacred Heart S1, Austin SL Dominic Mineola 49, commerce 34 Strawn 90, Gonion 40 Northwest Eaton 21, Keller 10 center Point 21, Harper 18 Savio 27 Mineral 'M!lls 28, Bridgeport 25 SUdlln 38, New Home 20 Pasadena Memorial 38, Chamelview 26 Chillicothe 66, Rule 44 Haltom 31, Hurst BeO 19 Montgomety 49, Blyan Rudder 22 SUlphur Sprill!JS 28, Corsicana 21 POrt Arthur Memorial 20, Beaumont United o Chilton 44, Wortham 14 Hamshire-Fannett 21, liberty 14 Mount \wnon def. Howe. forfeit sundown 35, New Deal 21 Prosper 27, McKinney 17 Christolllll 56, Miles 6 HllllPY 60, Claude 0 Muenster 48, Petrolia o SUnnyvale 60, Farmemille 13 Red Oak Ovilla 51, Garland Christian 0 Cisco 48, San Saba 6 Harleton 27, Queen City 7 Nacogdoches 25, Mount Pleasant 23 111ft 21, Santa Ima 12 l!OseliJerg1l!ny34, fOrt Bend Kempner 6 Clarendon 37, Shamrock 12 Harlingen 66, Doma North 6 Navasota 37, Giddings 3S llltum 73. Gladewater Sabine 17 SA Braclenridge 29, SA Burbank 21 Coldspring-Oakhurst 20, OllJoD 12 Hart def. Silverton, forfeit Nazareth def. Lorenzo, forfeit Thague 28, Fairfield 21 SA Memorial SO, SA Houston 34, 40T College Station 45, Luflcin 21 HalWins 33, Gladewater Union Gl'0\11 o Nederland 31, Toxas City 10 'R!mple 39, Killeen Ellison 15 SA Northside Breman J),SA Northside O'Connor Colleyville Co'lenant 32, Lubbock Christian 12 Hawley 14, Forsan 8 New Braunfels Christian 46, st Augustine o 'R!mple central~40, SA Holy Cross 14 7 Colleyville Heritage 27, Red Oak 13 Heame4S,Moody6 New caney 48, Cleveland 40 Terrell 30, Anna 20 SA Northside Marshall 40, SA Northside Holmes 13 Collinsville 64, 'R>ln Bean 14 Holland 23, Thran 7 New IDndon west Rusk 6:2, Quitman o ~ Liberty-Eylau 30, Pittsburg 7 Smithson Valley21, New lhunfels 0 Colt.mbus -49, Boling 14 Holliday 35, Henrietta 14 Newton 61, CorrigarH:amden o Texarkana Texas 28, Marshall 0 South Garland 27, North Garland 14 COmanche 52, Merliel 14 Hondo&;. Carrizo Springs 7 North Forney S7, GreenvlDe 2S The Wooelands 31, Conroe Oak Ridge21 Tomball 17, Klein Oak 16 Conroe Colenant 63, Alpha Omega 22 Hooks 61, PattonviUe Prairiland 24 O'DonneD 67, Meadow 8 The Wooelands Christian 41, Houston Lutheran Victoria west 62, CC Rayl COOiidge 74, Aquilla 14 Houston Austin 63, Fort Bend Marshall 6 Odem 28, Hebbronville o SOuth33 water valley 60, Paint Rock o Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial High 38, CC Houston Kinkaid 27, Bellaire Episcopal 14 Odessa Pennian 45, ~ 7 The Wooclands COiiege Park 24, Willis 7 Weslaco East 44, Brownsville Pace 34 Houston Lutheran North 56, carrolltun Prince of Oglesby 88, Dime Box 71 Tolar def. Itasca, forfeit Wilmer-Hutchins 26, Dallas Pinkston 24 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

PLAYER OFTHE WEEK scored a pair of touchdowns Hays Durand Hil, QB, Hays: in a38-14 victory overCedar quarterback The senior playmaker Creek. Durand Hill, completed 12 of 19 passes case Brister, LB, Lampasas: scoring in for 195 yards and three The Booger junior had 18 this 2019 touchdowns and rushed for tackles and returned a game against 106 yards and anotherTD kickoff90 yards for a touch­ Westlake, had in a wild 41-35 victory over down in a56-20 win over 301 total yards Austin High. Hill's rushing Fredericksburg. to help his team touchdown in the fourth Kyle Brown, QB, Vista Ridlje: defeat Austin quarter capped Hays' The Ranger senior passed for High 41·35 scoring and gave the home 361 yards and four touch­ in a district team a comfortable lead. downs in a27-13 victory over showdown. Hutto. [PAUL BRICK/FOR GAMEBAUS Armante Chase, RB, STATESMAN] Peyton Adan&, QB, E.c&t SnitlM"le: The Tigersenior View: The Patriot junior rushed for 125 yards and a passed for 395 yards and four touchdo.vn on only six car­ touchdo.vns in a 55-42 win ries in a 31-13 victory over La over Glenn. Grange. the win over La Grange. caughtthree passes for 143 Semck Alexander, RB, LBJ: ft-eel Dale, QB, Anderson: The lbny Holand, QB, Glenn: yards and three TDs in a lhe Jaguar sophomore Trojan sophomore completed lhe Grizzly senior passed 55-42 win over Glenn. rushed for 114 yards and a 23 of 34 passes for 274 yards for 414 yards and four Ryan Sheppard, RB, touchdo.vn on only 10 carries and fourtouchdo.vns in a touchdowns in the loss to ~rift:The Viper).mior in a26-7 victory over Taylor. 42·35 loss to Georgeto.vn. East View. rushed for 1fi6 yards and a Preston Alford, RB, Dripping Raleigh Erwin, ~ Lalcie lsrael Morgan, RB, Rolnl touchdo.vn in the victory Springs:The Tiger junior 'Davis: The Cavalier senior ll)c.k: The Dragon senior over Westwood. rushed for 103 yards, caught forced afumble and was rushed for 101 yards and Blaylon SUgg, DE, Hut.: lhe four passes for n yards and credited with 21/zsacks in a four touchdowns on only 11 Hippo senior had 17 tackles, scored two TDs in a 58-7 vic­ 52-2 victory over BoNie. carries in a 45-6 victory over four for loss of yardage, and tory over Lehman. .laden Greathouse, WR. stony Point. three sacks in the loss to Ryan Back, QB, Vandegrift W!stlake: The Chaparral Isaac Norris, QB, Lalcie lr.tvis: Vista Ridge. lhe Viper senior completed sophomore caught eight The cavalier junior com­ ,aWhitehead, QB. 20 of 21 passes for 214 yards passesfor 133 yards and a pleted 10 of 13 passes for 171 Lampasas: The Badger and three touchdowns in touchdo.vn in a 48-0 win over yards and twotouchdowns seniorpassed for 174yards, 38-7 victory over Westwood. Akins. and ran for aTD in the vic­ rushed for87 yards and Nash Baines, RB, St Ryder Hernandez, QB, Cedar tory over Bowie. accounted for five TDs in the t.lchaefs: The Crusader Park: TheTimberwotf senior Jordan Oldoerp, QB, victory

GAME OF THE DAY

East View (4-3, 4-1 in District 13-SA Division II) vs. Rouse (6-1 overal~ 4-0) 7 p.m. Thursday, Bible Stadium, Leander Quarterback: Patriot junior Peyton Adams had his best game of the year in last week's 55-42 victory over Glenn, passing for a season-high 340 yards and four touchdowns .... Rouse sophomore Mason Shorb came up big in last week's 26-19 road victory against Brenham, passing for a season-high 369 yards and two TDs to help keep the Raiders unbeaten in 13-5A D11. E.dge: Rouse Rouse wide receiver Dsew Henson. retumint a kickoff agai115t Weiss in September, came other offense: East View up big against Brenham last week. catching nine passes for 144 yards in the victory. senior running back Isaiah [JOHN GIJTIERREZ FOR STATESMAN] Quinton-Jackson rushes for 85 yards a game and East View wide has scored 12 TDs. Top receiver Michael receiver Michael Sedwick Sedwick. catching caught three touchdown a pass against E.lgin passes in the victory over in October, caught Glenn.... Opponents must just three passes in account for Raider RB EJ last week's victory Moore, who averages 92 over Glenn but all yards rushing a game. three resulted in Top receiver Drew Henson Patriot touchdowns. had a big night against [JOHN GIJTIERREZ FOR Brenham, catching nine STATESMAN] passes for 144 yards. Edge: Rouse Defense: The Patriots give Glenn. They pass for 228 losses. With Westlake and playoffs. A victory over up 31 points per game. Top yards a game and rush Lake Travis already set Vista Ridge would give players include LB Thomas for 208..•. Rouse, 1-9 last for postseason play, only them sole possession of Thornburg (8.7 tackles a year, is arguably the most two of the four will join the second place in 25-6A. game) and DT Justin Naiser improved team in Central Chaps and Cavaliers. The Round Rock relies heav- (6.3 tackles a game, four Texas. With 10 returning Bulldogs have scored 162 ily on one of the area's total sacks) ..•. The Raiders starters on offense, it's no points and given up 161. QB top rushers, senior Israel allow 26 points per game. wonder the Raiders aver­ Diego Tello (17 TD passes) Morgan, who averages 169 Raider LB Josh Hagen leads age 41 ppg. and WR Jason Gaines (124 yards a game while scoring the team with 10.6 tackles Edge: Rouse yards receiving per game) 15TDs. a game. CB Aaron Brangan lead the offense. About Vista Ridge: Led by has picked off three passes OTHER GAMES Edge: Westlake. The Chaps All-State QB Kyle Brown (26 and batted away five more. TO WATCH are just tuning up for their TD passes), the Rangers Edge: Rouse Nov. 27 game against Lake lead the district in scoring Special teams: East Westlake (6-0, 4-0 in Travis to determine the with an average of 39.5 View punter Charles District 26-6A) vs. Bowie district champ. Coach Todd ppg. The offense is pass­ Ross is among the best (2-3, 2-2) Dodge is fortunate to have ing for 318 yards a game in the region, averaging 7 p.m. Thursday, Burger capable RBs Zane Minors and rushing for 93. In its six 41.1 yards a boot Ross, Stadium and Grey Nakfoor (15 rush­ victories, Vista Ridge has Sedwick and Jeremiah About Westlake: In his first ing touchdowns between beaten opponents by an Barron have all had punt year as a starter, QB Cade them) to take some pres­ average of 26 points. WR returns longer than 20 Klubnik has completed 69 sure off QB Klubnik. Kwade Hegtvedt averages yards. ... Rouse's Shakir percent of his passes and Round Rock (S-2. 3-1 in 109 yards receiving a game. Muhammad averages 47 guided an offense that District 25-6A) vs. Vista Edge: Vista Ridge. Look yards on kickoff returns scores 55 points a game. Ridge (6-1, 4-1) for the Rangers to have while teammate Troy Led by DT Hayden Bray and 7p.m. Thursday, Gupton too much passing offense Oliver averages 28 yards LB Nick Morris, the Chaps Stadium, Cedar Park for the Dragons to handle. on punt returns. average five sacks a game. About Round Rock: With Round Rock's best chance Edge: East View Westlake has given up two consecutive victories is to keep the clock moving Intangibles: The Patriots touchdowns in six games. over Hutto, McNeil and with Morgan carrying the are coming offtheir best About Bowie: The Bulldogs Stony Point, the Dragons football. offensive performance in are among four teams in have put themselves in last week's victory over 26-6A that have two league gocxi position to make the Rick Cantu ON THE AIR

THURSDAY

NFL Time TV Indianapolis atTennessee 7:20 p.m. Fox COiiege football Time TV Colorado St at Boise St. 7p.m. FSl High school footbd Time TV Hutto at Vandegrift 7p.m. 101.9/1260 Westlake at Bowie 7:30 p.m. KBVO / 1300 / 105.3 Golf Time TV Masters noon ESPN KBO baseball Time TV KT at Doosan 3:25 a.m. ESPN2 Soccer Time TV UEFA Euro qualifying N. Macedonia at Georgia 10:45 a.m. ESPN2 Scotland at Serbia lp.m. ESPN2 Men's international friencly United States at Wales 1:30 p.m. FSl

FRIDAY

COiiege football Time TV Iowa at Minnesota 6p.m. FSl East Carolina at Cincinnati 6:30 p.m. ESPN utah at UCLA 9:30 p.m. FSl High school footbd Time TV Lake Travis at Del Valle 7:30 p.m. 104.9 Golf Time TV The Masters noon ESPN COiiege volleyball Time TV Texas A&M at Arkansas 7p.m. ESPNU Swimming Time TV U.S.Open 9a.m. NBCSN

LOOK AHEAD: TEXAS LONGHORNS

Thursday Time Location Women's tennis: Austin 151( UTR TBA Texas Tennis Center Volleyball: at West Virginia sp.m. Morgantown, W.Va. Friday Time Location Women's temis: Austin 151< UTR TBA Texas Tennis Center Volleyball: at West Virginia 5 p.m. Morgantown, W.Va. Saturday Time Location Women's tennis: Austin 151< UTR TBA Texas Tennis Center

LOOK AHEAD: TEXAS STATE BOBCATS

Friday Time Location Volleyball: vs. UT-Arlington 6p.m. San Marcos Saturday Time Location Volleyball: vs. UT-Arlington lp.m. San Marcos Football: at Georgia Southern 2:30 p.m. Statesboro, Ga. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: RANKINGS

CLASS6A CLASS SA CLASS 4A AND BELOW Team reconl points 1. Cedar Park 6-0 20 (4) 1. Lampasas 8-0 20 (4) (1st place votes) No. 4 DI team averaging 52.2 points No. 2 DI team completes first perfect 1. Westlake 6-0 20 (4) a game, which would set a single­ regular season since 1930, opens Following their fourth shutout win of season school record. playoffs against Uvalde. season over Akins, Chaps move up to 2. Uberty HII 6-0 16 12. Regents 6-0 12 No. 3 in Associated Press state poll. Slot-T offense averaging 55.3 points, Perennial power waiting for next 2. Lake Tr.avis 5-0 16 413 yards rushing a game behind RBs week's start of TAPPS playoffs. No. 6 Cavs have yet to score fewer Trey Seward (856 yards, 11 TDs rush­ 12. Wimberley 8-3 12 than 52 points this season despite ing) and Blake Simpson (812 yards, Texans set to begin 12th consecutive having to use third-string QB in win 12 TDs). playoff run against Smithville. over Bowie. 3. Rouse 6-1 12 4. LBJ S-2 11 3. Vandegrift S-1 12 Raiders take big step toward 13-5A Jags open 4A DII playoffs hoping Senior QB Ryan Back settling into DII title with road win at Brenham stout defense can make up for role in first season as starter with QB last week. offense scoring just 23.3 points per rating over 104 in each of past four 4. Dripping Springs 6-1 5 contest. games. Tigers step out of 14-5A DI for nondis­ s. Lago Vista 6-3 s 4. Vista Ridge 6-1 8 trict matchup against unbeaten and Vikings enter 3A DI playoffs as No. 2 QB Kyle Brown leads state's 6A schools DII No. 7 Mansfield Timberview. seed after win over Blanco last week. with 2,095 yards, 26 TDs, according to S. Georgetown S-1 10 stats posted on MaxPreps. Eagles fend off upset bid by Thomas Jones tS. Hays 4-3 2 Anderson in ll-5A DI. Narrow win over Austin High last Also receiving votes: Pflugerville, week gives Rebels inside track on Hendrickson playoff spot in 26-6A. tS. Round Rock S-2 2 Defense allowing just 7.3 points a game during three-game win streak. DVdefense may test Cavs

Del Valle running back Tavierre Dunlap, a Michigan pledge, has topped toe yuds rushing in each of his two previous games against Loell"avls. Dunlac, has suffered some injuries tills season and did not play against San Mucos last week, but he may suit UCI ~ against Ille Cavs. [JAV PLOTKIN FOR STATESMAN]

Cards' hopes for Cardinals' defense turned upset may depend in a second straight stingy on heatth ofstar RB performance. Tavlerre Dunlap After allowing 45 points per game during the losing By JayPlot:ldn streak, Del Valle allowed American-Statesman just 7. 5 points per game in Correspondent wins over Akins and San Marcos. Will two weeks make Lake Travis climbed upto a difference when Lake fifth in the latest 6A state Travis visits Del Valle? rankingsbyThe Associated After seeing their Oct. 30 Press. The Cavaliers will game postponed due to a provide a much different coronavirus outbreak, the test for Del Valle thantheir Cavs (5-0, 4-0 in District last two opponents, who 26-6A) makes the trip to have combined for just Del Valle Friday night. two wins. In last week's Following a three-game 52-2 win over Bowie, the losing streak, Del Valle Cavaliers continued toplay (3-3, 2-2) has won two in a balanced football despite row, including a 14-7 win missing sophomore quar­ Saturday at San Marcos. terback Bo Edmundson, Trent Leary caught a pair who suffered an injury late of touchdown passes from Jayce Knapp, and the SeeCAVS, A8 real reps with the first Valle's Saturday win at CAYS team last week," Lake San Marcos, has rushed Travis coachHank Carter for more than 100 yards FromPageA6 said. "It's pretty tough, iu each ofhis two games what be had to do. I'm agaiust Lake Travis. Ifhe very proud ofhowevery­ play against theCavs, Del in practice Wednesday. one played." Valle willhave a home­ Isaac Norris, part of Weston Stephens runthreatinthe backfield thebattletoreplaceNate rushed ormore than100 Kuapp and Leary have Yarnell, who remainsout yards aud two scores, beeu pressed into key while recoveriug from a Jackson Scruggs caught roles this season. Knapp broken finger, jumped two touchdown passes, took over for Jace Wilson, back behind center and and the defense forced who moved to Katyinthe did what Lake Travis two fumbles, one of which offseason, and Leary bas quarterbacks typically Evan Kelley returnedfora emerged as Del Valle's do. He completed 77o/o touchdown. top receiver after Caleb of Ws passes without an The defense will have Burton suffered a season­ interception, passiugfor to deal with Del Valle's ending injury in the first a modest 171 yards and potent trio of Knapp, game. two scores. He added a Leary and Michigan­ Lake Travis has beaten thlrd score on a 5-yard bound running back Del Valle seven consecu - run. Tavierre Dunlap. Dunlap, tive times dating back to "Isaac didu't get any who didn't play in Del 2003. Hays gets crucial win over Austin High

Westlake, Lake Charles Wright, Austin 14- 7winoverSanMarcos. Travis only teams High; Nick Anderson, Jayce Knapp completed 22 scheduled to play Aus tin High; Is aac of 31 passes for 276 yards this week Norris, Lake Travis and two touchdowns, Wright, a senior quar­ T rent Lear y h ad eight By Colby Gordon terback, threw for 425 catches for 136 yards and American-Statesman yards and five tou ch­ both of Knapp's scoring Correspondent downs, hitting Anderson passes, andBraylonJames 10 times for 202 yards and made seven receptions THE WEEK IN REVIEW two scoresas the Maroons for 100 yards to lead the (4-2, 3-2) lost to Hays, Cardinals. Isaiah Deleon Team of the Week: 41 -35. hitNelsonColeman for a Hays Norris, a junior ath­ 37-yard TD pass for the Ina must-wingamefor lete who primarily plays Rattlers (1-6, 0-5).... its postseason chances, receiver and tight end Diego Tello threwfor 124 Hays (4-3, 3- 2 District but also serves as t he yards to leadBowie (2- 3, 26-6A} used three big third-string quarter­ 2-2). stops inthe fourth quar­ back, completed 10 of 13 ter tohelp itclaima 41-35 passes for 171 yards and THE WEEK IN PREVIEW win over Austin High. two touchdowns and ran Quarterback Durand Hill for 31 yards anda score for Games of the Week: (see below) had a phenom­ Hays' Durand Hil went 12 of 19 through the air for 178 yards and three touchdowns and the Cavs in their 52- 2win Westlake at Bowie enalgame, with wideout ran for 106 yards and a score on just 12 carries to lead Hays to its crucial 41-35 win over over Bowie. (Thurs day); Lake Bryant Lewis hauling in Austin High. [RODOLFO GONZALEZ FOR STATESMAN] The rest ofthe district Travis at Del Valle seven passes for 103 yards Westlake (6 - o, 4-0) (Friday) and a touchdown and earlier in the year, and Weston Stephens ranfor Hill, a senior quarter­ shut out Akins, 48-0, as These are the only two Quincy Jackson rushing Hays andthe Bulldogs play 109 yards and two touch­ back, went12of19through Cade Klubnik threw for games this week as Akins, for 81 yards and a score. onNov.27. downs, Marcelo Alanis the air for 178 yards and 200 yards andtwotouch­ Austin High, Hays andSan Michael Boudoin madded Honorable mention: added 8 9 yards and a threetouchdowns andran downs, Grey Nakfoor Marcos are all on byes. a TD onthe ground, while LakeTravis score on the ground, and for 106 yards and a score rushed for 79 yards and Westlake and Lake Will Agnew and Cory The Cavs (5-0, 4-0) quarterback Isaac Norris on just 12 carries to lead a TD, Zane Minors ran Travis will beheavyfavor­ Vester also had receiving kept a high-flying Bowie (see below) had a solid Hays to its crucial 41-35 for two scores and Jaden ites and both look to keep touchdowns. offense under wraps in game toleadLake Travis. win over Austin High. His Greathouse hauled in their undefeated records The result makes it a a 52-2 win, holding the Jackson Scruggs caught 26-yard touchdownrun eightpasses for 133 yards intact. The Chaps have three-team race for the Bulldogsto209totalyards two touchdown passes with just more thanthree and a tou chdown. The only allowed 13 points all final two playoff spots and no offensive points. and finished with65 yards minutes to play marked Eagles (1-6, 0-5) were held year while the Cavs have between Hays, Austin Bowie's lone score came receiving. whatturned out to be the to 20 yards of offense.... not scored less than 52. High and Bowie. Austin onasafety early inthe first Player of the Week: winning points. Del Valle(3-3, 2-2)keptits Thetwopowerhouses play High defeated Bowie quarter. DurandHill, Hays Honorable mention: playoff hopes alive with a Nov. 27 at Lake Travis. Norris steps up, helps Cavs crush Bowie

LT has no problem suffered an early safety - way Isaac executed it." staying unbeaten Bowie's only points - but After rushing for a 5-yard despite starting third­ settled in, completing 10 of score, Norris connected with string QB 13 passes for 171 yards and Jackson Scruggs for touch­ two touchdowns and adding downs on back-to-back By Jay Plotkin a third on the ground. drives late in the second quar­ American-Statesman "Wehada lot ofearlypen­ ter to take a28-2lead. Weston Correspondent alties and shot ourselves in the Stephens and Marcelo Alanis foot," Norris said. "The safety ranfor third-quarter touch­ LAKEWAY- Isaac Norris woke us up and let us know downs toputthe game away. threwtwotouchdown passes thatwe really needed to play." The Cavaliers also got a and ran for a third as an emer­ Lake Travis coach Hank dominating defensive effort, gency starter to lead Lake Carter said Norris didn't have sacking Bowie quarterbacks Travis pastBowie 52 -2 Friday a chance towork with thefirst six times and recovering a pair at Cavalier Stadium. team offense atall during the of fumbles, one of which Evan Norris, a junior, started week. Edmundson's injury Kelley returned 75 yards for a after sophomore quarter­ occurred late in the team's fourth-quarter touchdown. back Bo Edmundsoninjured final practice ofthe week. Bowie (2-3, 2-2) finished a knee during practice on "Isaac is our Swiss Army with just209 total yards, 9 9 Wednesday. Starter Nate knife," Carter said. "There is a of which came in the fourth Yarnell remains sidelined with big difference inthevolume of quarter. The Bulldogs entered a hand injury theoffense you get to practice the game averaging 40 points While Norris settled in at as the second-team quarter­ and more than 50 o yards a Lake Travis quarterback Isaac Norris gets set to throw a short pass quarterback, the Cavaliers back, which was what he was contest. to running back Weston Stephens during the cavaliers' 52•2 win over (5-0, 4-0 inDistrict 26-6A) doing. When Bo got hurt, the Lake Travis held Bowie Bowie Friday at Cavalier Stadllm. Norris, starting in place of injured leaned on their rushing attack offensive staff did a good job quarterback Diego Tello sophomore Bo Edmundson, completed 10 of 13 passes for 171 yards and a dominating defense of modifying the game plan, and two touchdowns. [JAY PLOTKIN PHOTO FOR STATESMAN) to dominate Bowie. Norris and I'm really proud of the See FOOTBAIL, A8 Lake Travis linebacker watson CUsick rides Bowie running back Noah camacho to the ground in the second quarter of FridaY's game at cavalier Stadium. Cusick and the Lake Travis defense limited camacho to just nine yards on five carries in the 52-2 win. [JAY PLOTI

FromPageA6 and running back Noah Camacho well below their season averages. Tello passed for just 124 yards, and Camacho gained just nine yards on the night after averaging more than 100 yards per game in Bowie's first four games. "It's a unit effort," defensive end Max Linhoff, who sacked Tello on the Dawgs' opening drive, said. 11 We were flying arow1d and exe­ cuted what we neededto Lake Travis running back Weston Stephens outruns do. We wantedto get the Bowie's Jayden Wu on his way to the end zone for the quarterback out of his opening touchdown in the Cavaliers' 52-2 win over comfort zone. Wewanted Bowie Friday at Cavalier Stadium. [JAY PLOTKIN PHOTO FOR toexecute, play fast and go STATESMAN] get him." "I've been saying for a Lake Travis rushing attack Yarnell's injury. Norris few weeks now that our that gained 2 71 yards. shook off some rust and led defense has been very Stephens rushed for 109 the Cavaliersto points on impressive," Carter said. yards on 11 carries. Alanis six straight drives before "They are understanding added 89 yards on his 10 coming out of the game what we want to do, and carries. late in thethird quarter. they are playing really When Edmwidson got "We know we are very quick. Our front played hurt, Norris shifted from fortunate to have a lot of really well and took the receiver to quarterback. kids in our program who fight to them. Edmundson had earned canplay quarterback at a Stephens scored onruns the starting job in a pre­ high level," Carter said. of42and18 yardstopace a season competition after "And thankfully so." Westlake could take different path to repeat as state champ

estlake was determine which direc­ Texas-bound quarter­ a worthy tion they areheaded. back CharlesWright W Class 6A state Four teams from each (24 touchdown passes, championlast season, district qualify for the 295 yards passinga outscoring sixplayoff playoffs. Teams witll the game) receives most opponents bya com­ twohighest emollments ofthe attention for bined score of228-44. go 01, theothertwo Austin High's 4-1 start, Behind new quarter­ venture to D2. In District Anderson is also largely back Cade Klubnik and 26-6A,it'sa given that responsible for the a defense that allows Westlake (enrollment: team's success. Through 2.6 pointsthroughfive 2,833) andLake Travis five games, Anderson games, the Chaparrals (3,401) will make the has 15 touchdowns and might beeven better playoffs. Austin High averages 18 yards a in 2020. Yet when the (2,359) is a safebet to catch. playoff journey begins in qualify in D2. The fourth Westlake, which December,oneroadto qualifier might not be has given upa total of Arlington is rougherthan determined untilBowie 13 pointsthrough five the other. (2,848) and Hays (2,351) games, has arguably Class 6A Division I face offNov. 27. the toughest defense is more daunting than Unless thereis a dras­ inCentral Texas, ifnot Division II. Last season tic shakeup in the26-6A the entirestate. Witll a the Chaps did nothave standings, a Bowievic­ unit ledby tackle Nick a competitive game tory over Hays would Hogan (23 tackles, four in DivisionII,beating send W estlaJce toD2 sacks), linebacker Brady DentonGuyer 24-0in again. Lamme (39 tackles, two the title game. sacks)and cornerback It remains to beseen ACROSSTHE Lucas Mireur (31 tackles, which division Westlake REGION oneinterception), the will qualify forthis fall. Chapshave posted three "Bothpathsare tough Central Texas is shutouts. andboth present many stacked with outstand­ Vandegrift has a challenges," Westlake ing quarterbacks, but one defense worthshouting defensive coordina- who has dazzled recently about, too. Inthe past tor Tony Salazar said isPeter M cF arlin, a four games, the opportu­ Wednesday. "Wedon't senior from Elgin. nistic Vipers have scored mindgoingD1orD2. We Primarilya runner, he more pointson defense just want a spotin the has averaged 151 yards (26) than tlle defense playoffs." rushing in his first has given up (13). Safety Currently, No. 1 five games mdscored Reece Beauchamp and Galena ParkNorth Shore 12 touchdowns. That rover Logan Arnold have and No. 2Duncanville includes a 264-yard, returnedinterceptions are among the sixteams four-touchdown per­ for touchdowns, Arnold in tlle state'stop10 poll formance inlast Friday's scored a touchdown OD that are bound for DI. 41-22vi.ctoryover Glenn. a blocked punt, taclcJe Two teams aresetfor Speakingofbreakout Lucas Cummings scored D2 and the remaining players, few receivers in OD a fumble recovery two teams - Westlake CentralTexas compare and defensive backTy and Katy - have towait to Austin Highsenior Jordan was credited witll untilthe seasonis over to Nick Anderson. While a safety. Austin High quarteri.11 Charles Wright. right, celebratlnt1 a touchdown run against Bowle with teanmates Nick Anderson, center, and Drew Morgan, has the Maroons in playoff position after starting the SNS0114-1. [ROOOlfO GONZALEZ FOR STATESMAN) west1•senior comerbllcll Luus Mireur, ladding Hays running bac:11 Bryant Lewis, has helped a defense that has posted three sllutOllts In ftve games. T1le Chaps wll be the defending ctass 6A Division II sute champions WMi ,iayoffs start In December. [RODOLFO GONZALEZ FOR STATESMAN] No. 1 Westwood advances to state semis in team tennis

Warriors roll past face Region II champion The Josie Rousseau; and Rishika Westlake to claim Woodlands inthe other Class Vemulapalli and Alex Mepham regional crown 6A state semifinal. wona4-6,7-5, 10-5(tiebreaker) Westwood returned to the thriller over Savannah Baptiste By Butch Hart statetournamentbysurviving and Gabby Flores. American-Statesman a region thatalso included No. In singles play, Westwood Correspondent 4 Lake Travis, No. 5 Westlake wonfour matches as Lu beat and No. 15 Vandegrift. The Gracie Dobson 6-1, 6-o; Westwood's tennis team WarriorsbeatLake 'Iravis 10-1 KardonikbeatBaptiste6-3,6-1; completedthemosttreacher­ in a regional-quarterfinal con­ AasbishDhanani beat Komarek ousregional path in the state test before besting Westlake 6-2, 6-2; and Sivaram beat Tuesday, defeating Westlake Tuesday at Vandegrift High DenverHolden6-2, 6-2. 10-3 intheClass 6ARegion IV School Pesoli, the No. 1 boysplayer championshipduel Westwoodseized a 6-1lead for Westwood, mayhave had Westwood, ranked No. 1 afterdoubles play, "whichis a the most exciting matchofthe inthe Texas Tennis Coaches big leadinteam tennis," said day eventhoughhis result didn't Association poll, will face Dalrymple. factor into thefinalscore. Pesoli off against either Houston Westwood's Nick Pesoli holds up the regional trophy after the Westwood's boys doubles rallied from a 5-2deficit inthe Memorialor Katy Tompkins, Westwood teMis team beat Westlake at the Class6A Region IV victories included: NickPesoli first set to win 7-5 and held a who squared off for the title duel Tuesday at Vandegrift High SChool. [JOHN GUTIERREZ FOR and Daniel Antov winning 4-o lead inthesecondsetwhen Region Ill title Wednesday. STATESMAN) 6-3, 6-o over James Cockrell theduelended Memorial won state titles and Jake Riezebeek; Marko "Nick just played amazing lastseasonandin 2017, while Mesarovic andAadhi Raja won inhis comeback," Dalrymple Westwood won the 2018 or Tompkins this weekend at thewinner 6-3,6-3overDevanSabapathy said. title. Last season, Memorial TexasA&M inCollege Station, "(If) our top two girls face and Thomas Komarek; and Second-year Westlake coach defeated Westwoodina state which normally hosts thestate their top two girls, those four Sachchit Sivaram and Zeyad Jeff Savageledthe Chaps past semifinal. tournament. are amongthe very best sin­ Elchouemiwon 6-1, 6-1 over Round Rock 10-2, Smithson The U1L willnothosta state "That's a great venue," gles playersinthe state so the Clark Sweeney and Jette Valley 10-0, San Antonio tournament (semifinals and Dalrymple said. "Those competitionwill be intense," Payne. Reagan 10-2 and Laredo finals inonelocation)thisseason (MemorialandTompkins) are Dalrymple said. In girls doubles play, Kinaa Alexander 12-0 to reach the because ofprecautions imposed bothgreatteams." Thestate championship duel Graham and Simryn Jacob regional finals. by the coronaviruspandemic. IfWestwoodis tomeetNo. 2 willtake placeearlynextweek won6-o, 6-1 over Shashwath In Class 4A action, Boerne According toWestwoodcoach Memorial, Dalrymple said the ata place and timedetermined Keta and Luis Gomez; Jessica edged Wimberley 10-9towin 'IravisDalrymple, the Warriors meetings onthe top two girls bythetwoparticipants. Region Lu and Dana Kardonik won theRegionIVtitle andadvance willtryandface eitherMemorial singleslines could determine I champion Plano West will 6-3, 6-4 overChloe Zeng and to the state semifinals. Texas signings

Men's basketbal: Tamar Bates, G, IMG Academy; Emarion Ellis, G, Davenport (Iowa) Assumption; Keeyan ltejere, F, Knightdale (N.C.) GRACE Christian; David Joplin, F, Brookfield (Wis.) Central Women's basketball: Rori Harmon, G, Houston Cypress Creek; Kyndall Hunter, G, Houston Cypress Creek; Aaliyah Moore, F, Moore, Okla. Basebalt RHP Jack Arthur, Flower Mound; RHP Alec Grossman, Lake Travis; LHP Luke Harrison, Friendswood Lutheran South; RHP Jace Hutchins, Blinn J.C.; INF Gavin Kash, Sour Lake Monsignor Kelly; RHP carson McKinney, Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian; RHP Cameron O'Banan, Dripping Springs; RHP Joshua Stewart. St Dominic Savio; OF Gage Wakefield, Bullard; OF Ace Whitehead, Lampasas soccer: Trinity Byards, F, Richardson Shelton School; Emily Jane Cox, C, Highland Park; Tatiana Fung, MF. Fullerton (calif.) Sunny Hills; Megan Hogate, GK, Orange (Calif.) Mater Dei; Ashlyn Miller, MF, Liberty; Lexi Missimo, MF, Southland Carroll; Lola Stanley, F, Frisco; Holly Ward, F, North Vancouver Burnaby Central Women's tennis: Kylie Collins, Savannah, Ga. 2020-21 BOYS BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW BOUNCING BACI{

Lake Travis guard Stephen Everett, left. drives in for a layup against Austin High last season. 1be combo guard returns as one of theCavs' top weapons. [JOHN GlJTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN] After last season's suffered a season-ending get over the hump,11 Lake struggles, cavs look knee injury in mid-January Travis coach Clint Baty said. ready to returnto that sent Lake Travis into a "But that experience should playoffform tailspin. help us inthe long run." Standing at 14-8 overall If anything, it may have ByColby Gordon and 4-2 in district play when pushed forward the progres­ American-Statesman Wetter went down, the Cavs sionoftwo players who willbe Correspondent suffered through a 10-game crucialtothis year's success. losing streak with multiple Junior guard Stephen You can't really call it a heartbreaking losses before Everett played a lot ofpoint redemption tour, buttheLake ending the year 15-17 overall guard after Wetter's injury Travis boys basketball team and 5-11 in thedistrict, miss­ and earned newcomer of the feels like it has something to ing the playoffs by a wide year honors for the district. At prove this season. margin. times, he drew theopponent's Fate didn't smile on the "Our kids managed toplow best perimeter defender. All Cavs a year ago as their best through that, and we stayed ofthatshould prove beneficial player, leading scorer and ina lot ofgames until the last point guard, John Wetter, possession (but) just couldn't SeePREVIEW, A7 season, but senior guards PREVIEW Cash Clayton and Jake Stephens, senior forward FromPageA6 Nick Urukalo and junior forward Ethan Simonson all received significant to Everett, a sharpshooter minutes a year ago. who hasrange well beyond The Cavs also received the three-point line, as good news when 6-8 he'll be one of the Cavs' swing man Aaron Jacob main scoring threats the transferred in after rest of his high school moving from Colorado. career. "We'll have some "Stephen brings some skilled guys who can shoot veter an savvy," Baty itand have a good basket­ said. "He was kind of ball IQ," Baty said. "And thrust onto the scene in I think we've improved a playoff game as a fresh­ Lake Travis center Miguel Mantilla blocks a shot by our physicality andtough­ man. He got toplay a full Westlake forward KJ Adams in a game last season. ness. We've matured a seasonlastyear, and now Mantilla emerged as a force in the paint a year ago. [JOHN lot." he's settled in. He's start­ GUTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN] Overall, Baty is opti­ ingtobemore aggressive, mistic about his team and he's now understand­ jump shots farther out. "He'sbeen very aggres­ as it heads into Friday's ingthings inhis third year "I feel like I'm a lot sive, and his motor is season-opener at home thatare just real beneficial quicker than most cen­ running more often, 11 against San Antonio to theteam." ters, so I tryto outsmart he said. "He's athletic Madison. Senior center Miguel them, 11 Mantilla said. "I and knows how to finish And though he noted Mantilla marks the Cavs' do fakes on guys, and if around the rim. His the finish to last season other returning starter. I can't post up a taller leadership and veteran is in the team's rearview He turned into a strong guy, I look for the open presence will be benefi­ mirror, it'ssomething the post presence in dis­ shooters. I'll take the ball cial. Having some other Cavs won't forget. trict play for the Cavs a outside a bit and pump­ guys around himwho can "We lost some close year ago, and now he'll fake and drive by a taller score makes it more dif­ games last year, and that strongly feature in the guy or shoot over them if ficult for opponents to feeling is still lingering," Lake Travis offense. they don't try and block double himandgives him he said. "That's added Slightly undersized for a shots." more room togrow." some motivation.... I center at 6 feet, 6 inches, Baty noted he's liked Lake Travis lost a few think we have a little bit Mantilla makes upfor his what he's seen from key players tograduation, better understanding of lack of bulk with athleti- Mantilla in preseason and its starting lineup the key components of cism and an ability to talce practices. will fluctuate to start the whatittalces towin." UT baseball class includes four from Central Texas

By Danny Davis Dominic Savio RHP: As a sophomore, Grossman [email protected] Stewart's fastball is already was 4-2 for the Cavaliers' hitting the low 90s. He was state semifiuall.ist team. His The Texas baseball team an all-district pick iu 2018 fastball has gottenas high as signed 10 players Wednesday and 2019. 93 mph, and he "has made - seven pitchers, two out­ His cousin, Kohl, was the big gains" withhis slider and fielders and one infielder. fourth overall pick of the splitter this summer, Lake Nine ofthe 10 prospects are 2013 MLB draft. Aud when Travis coach Mike Rogers Texans, including four from Texas and Texas A&M meet said. theCentral Texas area: in 2022, theremightbe some Ace Whitehead, Cameron O'Banan, torn families at the ball­ LampasasOF: This is a busy Dripping Springs RHP: park. Fellow UT signee Jace week for Whitehead, who O'Banan, who has played Hutchins, a right-handed signedto play baseball with center field for the Tigers as pitcher from Blinn College, Texas on Wednesday and well as pitched, has led the is the sonofA&M's director thenwas scheduled to lead his teaminbatting average, RBIs, ofbaseball operations, and state-ranked andundefeated steals and runs scored over Stewart told CBS Austin this football team in its playoff the past two years. He com­ swmner that his parents and opener against Uvalde. As a mittedto the Longhorns when siblings are all Aggies. quarterback, hewas the 2019 he was a sophomore. "Josh is a very humble Central Texas player of the "He is a very confident yonng man," Savio coach year. youngmanthatmakesevery­ Bryan Edwards said. "He But he's just as good in one around him better," works really hard and loves baseball. Last spring he was Dripping Springs coach Chris the game. Heleads byexam­ hitting .527 and had a 0.92 Payne said. "He nnderstands ple toall his peers and younger ERA. He also ledthe Badgers that every great day starts players." in runs and stolen bases. witha great attitude, andwith Alec Grossman, Lake "InthestateofTexas, foot­ this approach he setsthetone Travis RHP: He made the ball gets a lot of attention," for any competition that he most of this spring's pan­ former Lampasas coach Shane steps into." demic-shortened season. In Doege said. "But every time I O'Banan also is a football 13 innings, Grossman struck watched him, sometimes just standout; he's a three-year out 15 batters and posted a inawe atpractices, what kind starter whohas playedquar­ o.54ERA. Oneofhistwowins oftalent this kid has inbase­ terback and receiver; his was a three-hit, eight-strike­ ball. Obviously, he has that last -second touchdown pass out performance against The talentinfootball as well, but beat LBJ last year andsecured Woodlands, whichrankedNo. there is something special Lake Travis pitcher Alec Grossman's fastball has been as high as 93 a district title for the Tigers. 2 in the statewhenthe season there aboutthis kid." mph, his coach said. He was one of seven pitchers who signed with Joshua Stewart, St. ended. Texas on Wednesday. [JOHN GlJTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN] Along with other tNms. Wl!stlalle girls basketball coach Kalie Hensle and the Chaps open the season this weekend. SCheduling restrictions imposed by the cormavirus pa,clemic led to a preseason scheduling scramble for both boys and girls baslletbal leans. [STEVE LEWIS/FOR STATESMAN) Hoops coaches ready for season No tournaments, pandemic, it sent basketball Texas spent the past couple Quinton Black said. "It just 27-game limit coaches across Texas into a of months looking for at least turned into a big conflict mark coronavlrus frenzy looking for games. five additional games. because everybody was out precautions as season "It put you in a little bit Similar to every other there trying togetgames for tips off of a scramble mode, but sport from high school to the a lot ofthe same times." everybody was in the same professional ranks, coaches Even as recently as last By Colby Gordon situation," White said. "For made adjustments onthe fly. week, some coaches were American-Statesman the most part, everyone was "You were literally calling still completing their Correspondent playing the same five tour­ everybody you know around schedules. nament weekends. So when the state," Westlake boys Lake Travis girls coach As soon as Hendrickson those got canceled, every­ coach Robert Lucero said Kevin Bussinger said he had boysbasketball coach Dustin body had the same open with a chuckle. "We were the date of Nov. 10 open for White heard the news, he dates." going to tournaments in weeks before scheduling San went straight to his phone. The UIL basketball season Dallas and Houston, so I was Marcos Home School for a Having put together a tips off this weekend, when trying to find teams outside home game a day later, on schedule for numerous years, girls teams begin play. Boys the area." Nov.11. White knew the competition teams openthe season next Most teams will play back­ "We were willing to play toget games on the calendar week. Schools are allowed to - back on Fridays and anybody, anywhere, but was about toskyrocket. to play three games a week Saturdays to accommodate our travel is restricted," he Late in the summer, when prior to district play this the third contest. Each team said. "We just need to be on the UIL barred basketball season to somewhat lessen is allowed to play 27 games. the floor. I had that date 011 teams from competing in theblow of not having tour­ "The biggest challenge tournaments this season due naments. With tournaments was actually finding games," to the ongoing coronavirus called off, every coach in Cedar Ridge boys coach See HOOPS, AS LIiie Travis coach Kevin Bussinger slaps hands with Jadde Ciliers during a game last season. [JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN FILE] back-to-back games on The Cedar Ridge and HOOPS Friday and Saturday. Westlake boys teams face Lake Travis was lim­ each other, with Lucero's FromRigeA6 ited in the distance squad also playing it could travel, while Vandegrift, Anderson, both Westlake coaches Dripping Springs and the coaches website for and White were able to McNeil. weeks and finally got a schedule perennially Black's Raiders will callabout it.n strongteamsfrom outof also take on Manor, While some coaches the area. The Westlake Cedar Park, Bowie, struggledto find games, girls will play Duncanville Anderson, LB J, Weiss others said they gottheir in Waco, while the andLake Travis. schedules filledup almost Westlake boys will host "This has allowed immediately. state power Oak Cliff us to get matched up "Since we graduated Family Faith outofDallas with some really qual­ a lot of talent, I think and play Duncanville in ity teams," Black said. some people think weare Belton. Hendrickson will "Our schedule is a huge goingto be down, sowe matchupwith Bryan and challenge." got a lot ofphonecalls," Ctbolo Steele. Still, each coach noted Westlake girls coach "Those are two games they'll miss the tourna­ Katie Hensle said with we added that we ments, even though they a laugh. "I didn't have (Hendrickson) normally know with the current muchtrouble.n would nothave gottento circumstances there's Coaches whose teams play,n White said. nothingthat canbedone are perceived to have Local basketball fans about it. strongsquads expressed may be the biggest "Our tournaments the opposite problem, beneficiaries from the were good team-bond­ noting their pool of tournament lban as there ing experiences," White potential opponents was arenow more matchups said. "You got to stay limited since schools between Central Texas overnight,be away from didn't want to risk a loss powersthan ever. everybody, and it was ontheschedule. Bussinger has just us. You played a lot Different coaches and Vandegrift, Cedar Park, of games in a little bit districts handled things Round Rock, Vista oftime, and it gives you their own way. Ridge, Connally and a chance to play a lot of With an extremely Hendricksonontheslate guys. Ifsomebody steps young Cedar Ridge for his Lake Travis girls up, that can transfer team that only has team. Meanwhile, Hensle over into being animpact two players with var­ scheduled Hendrickson, player in district play. sity experience, Black Pflugerville, Dripping But time on the court decided to only schedule Springs and Cedar Park is a little more precious 24 games in order toavoid innondistrictplay. now.n HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

DIG, SET, SPIKE Fab Fives digs in the two pivotal contests. Beckham's opportunistic kills As the COVID-tinged high school Cfass6A have allowed the warriors to volleyball season finally reaches 1. Lake Travis 15--0 (11-0 district) recover from a four-match skid the end of district play, matches 2. Austin High 15-3 (9-3) after the team's return from quar­ are being squeezed in and playoff 3. Westlake 9-3 (5-2) antine and positions them for a berths are starting to fill out In 4. Cedar Ridge 17-5 (9-3) playoffspot going into the final District 17-SA, Rouse had a huge 5. Vandegrift 13-4 (10-3) week of the regular season. Saturday as the Raiders swept CfassSA Cedar Park and then came back 1. Ann Richards 15-0 (14-0) TEAM OFTHE WEEK an hour later to beat Georgetown 2. Rouse 13-6 (10-1) in four sets. That gave them a 3. Hendrickson 12-3 (9-0) Ann Ricbanls: Coach Meg Brown one-match lead for the district 4. Dripping Springs 14-5 (10-4) has the Stars playing at a high championship, with the help 5. Anderson 13-1 (13-1) level as they improved to 15-0 on of a Liberty Hill win over Cedar Cfass 4A and others the season, 14-0 in district They Park on Wednesday night Cedar 1. Wimberley 27-4 (8-0) have won 45 sets while losing Park and Liberty Hill are second 2. Thrall 18-6 (10-0) only two this year. Last week Ann and third, and Leander beat 3. Johnson City LBJ 20-8 (10-0) Richards swept Northeast 25--20, Georgetown for the fourth-place 4. St. Michael's Academy 11-2 25--6, 25-9 and Crockett 25-11, finish. (7-1) 26-24, 25-7. The Stars lostone Hendrickson and Westlake both 5. Round Rock Christian 19-3 Kenzie Beckham, passing during a match against Westwood in setto Akins on Sept 26 and one resume this week as the Hawks (5-0) October, averaged 34 assists and nine kills with 16 digs in two to LASA in their district-opening have five matches to finish up, contests to earn American-Statesman player of the week honors. win Sept 29. They will close out starting with a District 18-SA [HENRY HUEY/FOR STATESMAN] district action this week against showdown againstConnally. at least a tie for the district title, playoff teams Mccallum and Weiss is slightly ahead of while Austin High appears to both Tuesday and Friday and kills, and Briana Jones had two Anderson Pflugerville and Bastrop after lead ~tlake, which will resume have their McNeil makeup aces and four blocks. Jordan Bastrop's win over the Panthers Tuesday night against Akins and (Round Rock lost the first meet­ McFarland added 24 assists, and MATCHESTOWATCH 25-21, 18-25, 25--14, 25-16. The has ashot at tying the Maroons. ing) on Thursday. Westwood Rhyam Masur finished with 26 Bears' Crystal Creek and Kaitlyn San Marcos leads Hays and needs a win or a Stony Point loss digs as the Texans improved to 1\lesday Parsons had 19 kills each, with Bowie for the fourth playoff spot to clinch a playoff berth. 27-4. Ann Richards at McCallum, 6:30 Creek adding 31 assists in the Cedar Ridge got back on the Unbeaten Ann Richards will p.m. victory. Bastrop setter Morgan winning track in District 25-6A, close District 17-SA action PLAYER OFTHE WEEK Bowie at Lake Travis, 6:30 p.m. Robertson had 45 assists. beating McNeil 25-21, 25·14, with third-place McCallum and Round Rock at Westwood, 6:30 Hendrickson. unbeaten in district 25--14asAvaPinterand Emma second-place Anderson as all Kenzie Beddlarn. senior, p.m. play, has matches Thursday and Patmon had nine kills each. The three plus Lockhart have dinched Westwood: The returning first Stony Point atCedar Ridge, 7 A"iday, a doubleheader Saturday Raiders have three district losses playoff berths. team All-Central Texas selection p.m. and a district finale Monday. and will close by playing Stony In TAPPS playoff action, St had an inspirational week as Wimberley vs. Tuloso-Midway at Lake Travis swept San Marcos Point twice. Vandegrift fell to Michael's, Brentwood and Round the defending district cham­ Cuero, 7p.m. on A"iday night, and then San three losses after being swept Rock Christian all won. In UIL pion warriors surged back into 11ursday Marcos used a District 26-6A rule by Westwood and will close playoffs, Johnson City LBJ beat the playoff picture by beating Hendrickson atConnally, 6:30 forgoing the Saturday second with Vista Ridge on Tuesday. Sabinal 25-14, 25-23, 25-15 and co-leaders Cedar Ridge and p.m. match by accepting the results of Round Rock also has just three Wimberley crushed LaVernia Vandegrift, winning six of seven Round Rock at McNeil, 6:30 p.m. the first meeting again. Third­ losses but a tougher path as the 25-17, 25-13, 25-21. Wimberley sets. Beckham averaged 34 Butch Hart. American-Statesman ranked Lake Travis has dinched Dragons face archrival Westwood was led by Paige Crawford's 19 assists and nine kills with 16 correspondent HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP Westwood downs Round Rock, secures playoff spot

Lake Travis takes and focusing on consistency Vandegrift:(14-4, 11-3)won another step toward inour serve." thematch25-16, 25-16, 25-16 perfection with sweep Lake Travis (16-0, 12-0 in to secure the district title. District 26-6A) clinched a Vista Ridge (11-8, 6-8)hadtwo ByButch Hart share of the district title with more district games scheduled American-Statesman its win Tuesday. Not only are against Stony Point, butthose Correspondent the Cavs undefeated, butthey game were canceled after a haven't dropped a setindistrict positive coronavirus test in As an unpredictable vol­ play and have only lost oneset the Stony Point program. Vista leyball season nears its end, overall this season. Ridge entered Tuesday's con­ red-hot Westwood continues Arden Besecker led the Lake test already eliminated from to reshape the District 25-6A Travis hitting attack with 14 playoff contention. standings. kills and Jamison Wheeler Vandegrift middle Chloe Westwood, the defending knocked downseven shots as Charles led all hitters with 20 district champion, beatvisiting sevendifferent Cavs had kills. kills with a .607 hitting per­ Ro1IDdRock25-21, 15-25, 25-19, Kiana Reed recorded 28 assists centage and served up two 25-23 Tuesday for its third andpacedthe defense with15 aces. The Rangers were led consecutive win over a fellow digs, joining Mackenzie Cude, by Mackenzie Howton with playoff qualifier. The win not Besecker (14 digs) and Emily nine kills and Ryleigh Garis (10 only clinched a playoff spotfor Contreras (13 digs) in double­ assists, nine digs and twokills). Westwood, but italso secured Round Rock's Briana Bailey, left, and Olivia Thex go up for a block digit saves. the district title for Vandegrift against Westwood's Claire Delane. Westwood woo a district The Bulldogs (8-9, 6-7), TJ Williams, American­ and ended Round Rock's hopes volleyball match at home over Round Rock in four sets on Tuesday to who close out the regu­ Statesman correspondent of grabbing a share ofthedis- secure a playoff berth. [HENRY HUEY FOR STATESMAN] lar season Monday at home trict championship. against Westlake, feature tal­ Wimberley reaches Vandegrift (14-4, 11-3) has ented players in outside bitter 4A regional semifinal: won two more games than But coach Tara Grant credited In a frenetic fourth set, Katie Hansen, setter Katherine In Class 4A playoff action, second-place Cedar Ridge senior setter Kenzie Beckham Round Rock seized a 19-16 Crosley and middle Maya Wimberley defeated Tuloso­ (17-5, 9-3), but Cedar Ridge with keeping the Warriors' lead before Westwood tied Johnson but could never get Midway 25-15, 29-27, 25-22 will not play its final two dis­ offense on track and fighting it up after three consecutive into a rhythm offensively while Tuesday to advance to the trict games after Stony Point through its passing miscues. Dragon errors. Two kills by being eliminated from playoff Region IV semifinals, where ended its season following a "Kenzie had her quick feet Gregorczyk andkills by Fagan contention. the Texans will face unde­ positive coronavirus test ear­ get a workout tonight, 11 Grant and Beckham gave Westwood Lake Traviscantaketheout­ feated and top-ranked lier this week. The district's said. "We serve-received the lead, and Lola Fernandez right district title with a win Needville. Senior outside coaches have agreed that a poorly, and Kenzie was racing ended the match with an ace. Friday, which would clinch the hitter Paige Crawford ripped team's winning percentage in around everywhere justto try Lake Travis sweeps program'sfirstundisputeddis­ 18 kills to lead Wimberley district play will serve as the and keep usinsystemand get Bowie: When you've been trict title inClass 6A. The Cavs (28-4), while setter Jordan first tiebreaker whenitcomes hittable balls to the outsides as good as Lake Travis has sharedlast season's title with McFarlandhad 25 assists and to district standings, leaving and middles." this year, what exactly do you Westlake. libero Rhyan Masur recorded Vandegrift as the undisputed The Warriors opened the workonwhen you're marching With Bowie's loss, San 22 digs. District 2 5- 6A champion. first set quickly with kills by towards a seemingly inevitable Marcos secured a playoff spot. In some crucial regular Westwood (u-11, 8-5) will Erin Fagan and McKayla Ross districttitleandasbotataper­ Austin Highand Westlake have season contests, New Braunfels face Round Rock (n-6, 8-4) andtooka10-5lead Theteams fectregularseason? also clinched a playoff spotin Canyon swept Johnson 25-5, again Fridayinthe Warriors' traded brief runs before kills According to Cavs coach District26-6A. 25-6, 25-13 to clinch the regular-season finale. Round by Beckham and Ferree lifted Brandace Boren and some of District 26-5A title. Dripping Rockplays McNeil onThursday Westwood to the first-set herplayers following a routine Colby Gordon, American­ Springs willfinish third inthe before its rematch with win. The second set belonged yet dominant 25-13, 25-15, Statesman correspondent district. Westwood, and the Dragons to the Dragons, who jumped 25-16 sweep ofBowie Tuesday InDistrict 17-sA, McCallum need to win both matches in out to a quick lead behind out­ at Lake Travis High School, Vandegrift sweeps rival handed No. 3 Ann Richards order to claim the No. 3 play­ side hitters Lauren Murphy it'sthelittle things thatmatter Vista Ridge for outright its first loss of the season off seed and knock Westwood and Briana Bailey and finished now. district title: Vandegrift with a 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, downto the fourthseed. strong behind kills from Olivia "It'strying to keep every­ coach Melissa Southall and 24-26, 15-10 victory. Preslie In Tuesday's win over the Thex, Kelly Swyers, Murphy onehumble and workinghard Vista Ridge coach Holly Lamb Boswell fired 19 kills and Dragons, Westwood senior and Mackenna Gardner. at this time, 11 Boren said. "It's eachtook a deep breath before Grace Werkenthinbad 17 kills Abby Gregorczykfired a team­ Round Rock led 6-2 in the easy to be blinded and think their two varsity squads took for Mc Callum, andMc Callum high12killswhile PeytonFerree third set before Beckham, we're really good in every to the court Tuesday night at setter Sophia Henderson bad added nine kills. Trinity Woods and Ferree area, butthere are still things Vandegrift. 4 7 assists. AnnRichards hosts Westwood struggled with keyed a 12-4 Warrior run. we're working on and need Each coach took a moment district co-leader Anderson its passing and ball control, Round Rock rallied to tie the to get betterat. It's the small to realize their squad made onFriday, and the winner will especially in the second set, score at 14-14, but Westwood stuffwe need to improve on: it through the District 25-6A claim the undisputed district whentheteamhad10unforced answered with a10-2 scoring being disciplined, continuing schedule without being affected title. McCallwn will be the errors and were aced five times. run. to run our middle intransition bycoronavirus quarantine. No. 3 playoff seed. DISTRICT 26·6A VOLLEYBALL UPDATE Cavs pull within game of district title

ByColbyGordon the district title race with Player of the Week: Travis, Austin High at American-Statesman three matches to play. It Jamison Wheeler, Lake Hays, Del Valle at San Correspondent still has a match Nov. 17 Travis Marcos; Friday: Hays at withthe Chaps, but even Wheeler, a senior out- Lake Travis. THE WEEK IN REVIEW ifitloses thatrematch, the side hitter and SMU Lake Travis will clinch team willstillhavetodrop pledge, reached 1,000 kills a share of the district title Team of the Week: a match this week to not for her career in the win with a win Tuesday and LakeTravis win thedistrictoutright. over San Marcos Friday. can win it outright if it The Cavs (15-0, 11-0 Honorable mention: She finished the week with sweepstheweek with wins District 26-6A) contin- Austin High 33 kills and 17 digs tohelp over Bowie and Hays. ued their marchtowards The Maroons (15-3, 9-3) the Cavs to sweeps over Austin High can wrap thedistrict title with three moved closer tolockingup the RattlersandDel Valle. up a playoff spot with a wins despite only actually a playoff spot witha sweep Therestofthedistrlct win Tuesday at Hays. If taking the floor twice. (25-20, 25-14, 25-23) of San Marcos (9-7, 7-4) the Maroons win and San Lake Travis swept bothDel SanMarcos anda four-set had a good showing in the Marcos defeats Del Valle, Valle (25-9, 25-13, 25-14) win(15-25,25-16,26-24, losstothe Cavs andplayed the Rattlers clinch a play- and San Marcos (25-23, 25-7) over Bowie. Brooke wellintwoofthe three sets off spot. 25-22, 25-19), withitswin Jeffrey fired 22 kills onthe vs. Austin High. Maggie Westlake (9-3, 5-2) against the Rattlers count- week, DeAndra Pierce had Walsh recorded 22 kills, returns from quarantine ing twice in the district 17 kills, Kasen Rosenthal 38 digs and four blocks on Tuesday at Akins. It will standings as San Marcos andSamantha Unbehagen the week, withLayla Diaz play a significant number decidednottomakeupthe each knocked down 12 making nine kills against of matches over the next match postponed earlier in shotsand Sadie Swift fin- Lake Travis and Emery eight days, including back- the seasondue to Covid- ished with10 kills. Jones hitting seven shots to-back matches against 19 reasons. Swift had 13 blocks and against the Maroons. San Marcos Friday and Jamison Wheeler (see Pierce added nine stuffs Ruby Gordon compiled 49 Saturday. It may also play below) played well for the to pace the Austin High assists, Julia Antu had 19 either Hays, Del Valle or Cavs, with Campbell Cook defense, with Rosenthal digs and Diaz finished the Bowie Saturday. It wraps knocking down 18shotson producing 48 assists and week with 21 digs.... Bowie upthe regular season Nov. the week, Arden Besecker making five blocks. (8-8, 6-6) swept Akins at 17 atLake Travis. recording 14 kills, seven In the win over Bowie, home Nov. 3 .... Hays (7-9, Restof theschedule aces and16 digs andsetter Unbehagen (19), Rosenthal 4-7) defeated Akins at Tuesday: Westlake at Kiana Reed producing 77 (16), Jeffrey (14) and home Nov. 6 .... Westlake Akins assists. Heaven Medina (13) all wasonquarantine. Friday: Del Valle at Mackenzie Cude paced reached double digits in Bowie, San Marcos at the Cavs defense with 27 digs. THE WEEK IN PREVIEW Westlake, Akins atAustin totaldigs. Tanon Rosenthal ended High Lake Tr a vis leads the week compiling 32 Matches ofthe week: Saturday: Westlake at Westlake bytwogamesin assists. Tuesday: Bowie at Lake SanMarcos Lake Travis libero Mackenzie Cude paced the cavs defense with 27 total digs in a win over San Marcos Friday. The cavs enter this week needing just one win to clinch at least a share of the District 26-6A title. [PAUL KNIGHT/FOR STATESMAN] Group low on holiday meal boxes

Lake Travis Crisis Ministries offlclal says group seeing large uptlck In need

By SarahAsch [email protected]

The Lake Travis Crisis Ministries might not be able to hand out many holiday meal boxes this Thanksgiving or Christmas because ofthe coronavirus pandemic, despite increased demand for assistance, said Board President Pam Wolfe. The organizations that put the boxes together, such as local churches, are notmeet - ing in person, making it harder for them to organize the usual holiday meal kits. The Crisis Ministries usu- ally hands out around 80 boxes for Thanksgiving. So far, Wolfe said, the organi­ zation has received only two togive away. "We'll just give out what Lake 'D'avis Crisis Ministries usually hands out around 80 holiday meal boxes for Thanksgiving. but this year volunteers say the organization might not be able to do so because of the COVID-19 pandemic. SeeBOXES, A3 [SARAH ASCH / STATESMAN] would be sad not to be ona weekly basis and we groups," she said. "We get said. "We'remaking sure "We operate underthe BOXES able to provide people help people financially no government money, that the people we have assumption that as the with holiday meals. who are unable to pay so how much money we are consistent so we're needs arise God supplies, FromPageAl "We do it every year, 11 their bills, 11 she said. have and how much we not accepting outside vol- so we feel like God will she said. "Not being able "Since COVID we've been can give depends onhow unteers right now because supply," she said. to provide that is disap- handing out a lot more much we receive from the we don'twanttoincrease She said that if people we have and see what pointing. It won't mean because a lotmore people community." anyone's exposure." are interested in assisting happens, 11 she said. thatthey won'thave food need help." Wolfe said last year that Wolfe said that while theorganization's efforts The boxes typically in theirhouses. but they Last mouth, Wolfe said the organization distrib- she is not worried about they can put together include canned green won't have the typical the Crisis Ministries saw uted 75,000 pounds of running out offood, she a holiday meal box and beans, yams, instant holiday meal that we all a 333% increase in funds food and this year she is concerned about what drop it off at the Crisis mashed potatoes and a know." distributed compared to expects it will be well would happen if some- Ministries before Nov. 18. $20 gift card for a turkey. Wolfe said the Crisis October 2019. over 100,000 because of one at the organization The storefront is open The Crisis Ministries Ministries has seen a While the group has theincreased need. gets sick and they have to from Sp.m. to 7 p.m. on serves those who live or huge uptick in need this received more dona- The Crisis Ministries shut down their opera- Wednesdays and from work in the jurisdiction year since the pandemic tions to help cover the has also been working tion entirely for a period 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on ofthe Lake Travis school started, both for food increased need, at this short-staffed for months oftime. Thursdays. People can district, and as the only andfinancial assistance. point it is running out of because many of the reg- Despite the difficulties also make financial dona- local food distribution She said many people who money. ular volunteers are over the Crisis Ministries faces tious online, Wolfe said. partner, Wolfe said the have never sought help "We are 100% volun- 60 and at higher risk for becauseofthepandemic, "Whatever boxes we organization will have before have been turning teer and we are 100% COVID-19. Wolfe said she has faith have, 11 Wolfe said, "we enough groceries to give to the Ministries to meet privately funded through "We're working with that itwillbe able tocon - will be handing them out over the holidays. basic needs. allthe area churches and a skeleton crewbecause tinue helping people over out the week prior to However, she said it "We hand out groceries private persons and civic ofthepandemic,11 Wolfe the holidays. Thanksgiving, 11 she said. Source: Gilbert gets the nod for Cowboys vs. Steelers

Former Lake Travis star, Sunday's game Texas quarterback to make first career start Steelers at Cowboys, 3:25 p.m., CBS, 104.9 By Michael Gehlken TheDallas Morning News down with a season-ending The Cowboys havenamed ankle injury, the Cowboys their fourthstartingquarter­ have had a revolving door at back in five weeks. quarterback. Garrett Gilbert, the SMU After Andy Dalton went product, will start against down with a concussion the undefeated Pittsburgh against Washington, sev­ Steelers on Sunday, a source enth-roundpick Ben DiNucci told The Dallas Morning startedagainsttheEagles last News on Saturday. Gilbert's week. Dalton was expectedto agent confirmed Gilbert, return against the Steelers, who startedhis college career butwas placed on the COVID- with the Longhorns, will 19 list after testing positive for start against the Steelers via the virus. Twitter. Since Dale Prescott went See COWBOYS, Cb going tobeexcited about the carries in the season opener, COWBOYS opportunity. We're getting and Tennessee's Derrick Henry ready to win a game, so the was held to75 yardsina victory From Page Cl two of us are preparing the over the Titans last month. best we can together." JUJU ON THAT BEAT Throughout the week, UPAGAINST IT Gilbert competed with While Roethlisberger has Cooper Rush for the starting The Cowboys have lost all made it a point to spread it job. three games not started by arow1d, he has consistently The Cowboys signed Prescott, and haven't scored fow1d JuJu Smith-Schuster Gilbert, a 2014 sixth-round a touchdown in the past two. whenthings get tight. Smith­ pick, shortly after Prescott Now they face a defense Schuster caught all eight of went down to add depth. that leads the NFL with 30 his passes in the second half Gilbert has only six career sacks and is third with 10 against the Ravens, includ­ pass attempts to his name interceptions. ing two tough third-down (two completed for 40yards). "Idon't really know how to receptions in which hebulled In comments before categorize 'rah-rahspeech,"' Garrett Gilbert warms up before the Cowboy's game versus the his way for enough yardage to Saturday's decision, Gilbert McCarthy said. "Italk tothe Philadelphia Eagles last SUnday. The former Lake Travis star will be extend what became scoring saidhe was looking forward football team very direct Dallas' fourth quarterback to start a game this year. [RICH SCHULTZ/ drives. to the possible opportunity. and honest and with a high THE ASSOCIATED PIRESS] "Third down gets you paid," "Obviously tlrls is an awe­ levelof emotion inour team Smith-Schuster said. "You some opportunity," said meetings." make those crucial catches Gilbert, the former Texas clock for long stretches inthe business," Tomlin said of the that are going toget you first quarterback whose college STOPPING ZEKE Steelers' 28-24 win. two-time rushing champion downs, move the sticks. The career ended nearby at SMU. The Cowboys likely need a who was limited in the two dirty work. I love doing the "You'd love for itto be under The NFL's second-ranked standout performance from most important practices of dirty work, I love going inside, different circumstances. run defense got pushed around Ezekiel Elliott to have any the week with a hamstring bang-bang catches, rwming Obviously hoping Andy gets against the Ravens, who piled chance to spring the upset, injury. across the middle and not back as soon as possible up 265 yards on the ground, but that may not be likely At the same time, the being afraid to get hit. I do and gets well soon, but I'm the most the Steelers have with various reports saying Steelers have been effec­ embrace those balls down the excited about it. allowed in over two decades. the Cowboys are preparing tive this seasonwhen facing middle." "I think Cooper's in the Tomlin allowed the Steelers tobe without thestar. high-profile backs. New York same boat. Whoever's name "bled, and bled badly" while "He'san elite, elite running Giants star Saquon Barkley The Associated Press con­ is called Sunday, we're both Baltimore controlled the back, arguably thebestinthe was limited to 6 yards on 15 tributed to this report. LONGHORNS ROUNDUP Men's basl

By BrianDavis [email protected]

College basketball poll­ sters see all that talent on Texas' roster and think this has to be coach Shaka Smart's year, right? The Longhorns start the Ryan Bujcevski, right, has a season ranked 19thin The torn ACL. so cameron Dicker Associated Press' preseason will have to add punting to men's basketball poll. his place-kicking duties. [NICK The first poll was released WAGNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN Monday. FILE] Baylor, theodds-onfavor­ ite to win the Big 12 this playat2:30 p.m. onNov. 21. season, is ranked second. ESPN2 willtelevisetheaction Kansas is sixth, and Texas from Memorial Stadium in Techis 14th. Lawrence, Kan. This willbe Smart's sixth Texasenteredthisweek's seasonatTexas;he's90-78. byewith a three-gamewin­ The Longhorns have made ningstreak. The No. 21 team the NCAA Tournament inthe AP poll, Texas boasts onlytwice andhavenotwon auoverall record of5-2and atomnaIIlentgaI11e.Butthat a big 12markof4-2. Kansas hasn't stopped Smartfrom (0-7, o-6 Big 12) is also off recruiting well year after this week. Texas has won year. 16 of its 19 games against This season, the Horns Kansas, butthreeofthepast have nine players who were four have been decided by among the top 60 nation­ seven points or fewer. In ally intheir recruiting class, lIT's50-48victorylastyear, according to 247Sports' Cameron Dicker kicked a composite rankings. UT is 33-yard field goal as time stackedwithveteranplay­ expired. ersatevery position. Theonlyfreshmanadded DannyDavis totherosterwasGregBrown ill, the ninth-best overall Robinson honored: recruit in the 2020 signing When it handed out its class. weekly awards Monday, the Texaswillopentheseasou Big 12 did not forget about Nov. 25 against UT Rio running back BijanRobinson. Grande Valley. The UT freshman was Bujcevski out for namedtheBig 12's newcomer season: Punter Ryan of the week. A first-time Bujcevskihas suffered a tom recipient of this award, anterior cruciate ligamentin Robinson was honored for hisleftknee - hisplantleg- hiseffortsinSaturday's 17-13 andwill1.ID.dergosurgery,the winoverWestVirginia. school annowiced. Hewill With Keaontay Ingram miss therestoftheseason. sidelined with an ankle Bujcevski, a junior, was injury, Robinson starred hurt late iu the game after againsttheBig 12' stoprush­ averaging 43.3 yardsonsix ing defense. His 12 carries pwits. He had two punts turned into 113 yards. He downed inside the 5-yard picked up54 ofthose yards line by comerback Josh onthegame'sfirstsnap, and Thompson. he hada 35-yard reception Cameron Dicker will thatsetuptwogame-ending assume thepunting duties. kneel-downs. Dicker has been UT's pri­ Robinsonis responsible for mary kicker the past three one ofUT's two 100-yard years, butpwitingwon'tbe performances this seas01L totally new. He averaged Quarterback SamEhlinger 38.9 yards per punt on 33 ran for 112 yards against attempts at Lake Travis iu Oklahoma, but 43 were 2017. recorded inthe four over­ Oneissue that needs tobe time periods. Robinson's resolvedwillbewho holds for 294rushingyardsleadallof Dicker onfield goal attempts. UT's running backs. He is Bujcevski has been UT's still looking for his first col­ holder for three seasons. legiate touchdown, butheis Kansas kickoff set: The averaging5.8 yards per carry. Big 12 announced Monday that Texas and Kansas will DaneyDavis Gilbert is Dallas' best bet until Dalton returns

arrett Gilbert arrived nationaltelevisionand his playedreally hard today onSw1day. teammates, who cheered andplayedreallywell. We G Andhetook a not- a pairofearlyscrambles deserved a chance to win that so-scenicroute togetthere. anda touchdownpass. game. Wegave ourselves Afterspendingthepast The upset was happen­ thatchance, butit's just sixseasons withsixdif­ ing. That is, untilPittsburgh toughwhenallofus together ferent teams, including a safetyMinkahFitzpatrick put everythingintothat full seasonwith the2014 got his mittsonGilbertIs two thing andcome upshort." SuperBowlchampion mostimportantpassesof Gilbert's numbers - 21 of New England Patriots,the the day. As ifGilberthasn't 38 for 243yards,a touch­ former Lake TravisHigh hadenoughCrimsonTide down and aninterception School, Texas and SMU nightmarestolast a lifetime. against oneoftheleague's quarterbackhadnevergot­ The24-19loss was a real bestdefenses - weren't tena chance torunonto an shot tothesolarplexus. Not world-beating, butnearly NFL field asthestarter. becausethe2014 sixth-round goodenough. Predictably, Until Sunday. draftpickcould never get the thebattle-tested Steelers Andwhat a Sundayitwas. tasteofthat2009 national andtheir spartanquarter­ Gilbert matched throws championsrupgameloss to backshoweda champion's withtwo-time SuperBowl Barnaoutofhis mouth, but resolveand didjust enough championBenRoethlisberger becausetheTexas explayed toavoidtheirfirst loss. andcapturedthe early well enoughformostofthe Weall know GilbertI s imaginationofnearly game Sundaytopulloffthe story. The39-4record 20,ooo socialdistancers at upset inhis first career start. and two state titles at Lake Fonner Lake lr.lvis High, UT and SMU quarterback Garrett Gibert JerryWorld, millions more "Losingsucks," Gillbert got his first NFL start SUnday, nearly leading Dallas to an upset of Dallas Cowboys fans on said. "Ifelt like our guys See GOLDEN, A8 undefeated Pittsburgh. [TIM HEITMAN/USA TODAY] Cowboys quarterback Garrett Gilbert finished with modest passing numbers (21 of 38 for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception), but he had only one week to prepaie for the start against one of the league's best defenses. [TOM FOX/DALLAS MORNING NEWS] excellent" onthefinal rookie Ben DiNucci at GOLDEN drive,Cowboyscoach Philadelphiaevenworse. Mike McCarthysaid. Gilbert is muchmore From PageA6 "Garrett'spoiseinthat accurateandat age29has drillis exactlywhat beeninenoughNFL locker you'relookingfor. So we rooms tohave beenmore Travis, being thrust into talk aboutthecharacter­ mentallyreadytoplayina the2009BCStitlegame istics of{thetwo-minute tough road environment. as a freshman because of drill). Oneofthem is that AgainstPittsbur~ an injurytoColt McCoy, you've got tobecomfort­ Gilbert provedready the two forgettable ablewinning thegameon for thechallenge. He seasons thatfollowed, thelastplay. That's what had appearedinsix NFL a subsequent transfer itcamedown to there." games, oneinreliefof to SMU, the numerous McCarthyshould Kyle Allen in 2018 and patches onhis well-worn dispense withany quar­ five as Mayfield's backup suitcaseand his current terback competitionand inClevelandlastyear. standingas thefourth go into this byeweek Givethe man credit. It manto startat quarter­ with the uuderstand- didn't work outatTexas, back for the Cowboys ingthat Gilbert should buthe didn'tfade away. this seasonafter being startfor the rest ofthe He suckeditup, putup signedoffCleveland's seasonifstarterAndy great numbersat SMU practicesquad Oct.13. Daltonis diminishedafter andhas carvedouta nice Sundaywaseasilythe hisfirst career con­ livingin professionalfoot­ biggestgamehe's played cussionandhis recent ballthroughtough-mind­ sincethatfateful 2010 coronavirus diagnosis. ednessanddetermination. eveninginPasadena, Forthosescoringat He hasearnedrespect giventheenormous home, Gilbert is thefourth for never giving up on size ofthe NFLstage Austin-producedquarter­ his dream andfortak­ andtheorganization back - Drew Brees, Nick ing advantage ofan he is representing. Foles andBaker Mayfield opportunityhewas "Obviously, it'sbeen are theothers - tostart ready toembrace. awhile, butthat's what a game this season. "Garrett is definitely you live foras a quar­ "Let'sgoGarrett!" a warrior," said CeeDee terback and as a football Mayfield, ona bye week, Lamb, therecipient of player," Gilbert said. tweeteddwingthefirst Gilbert'sfirstNFLtouch­ "Unfortunately, there on half. Hisformerteammate downpass. "'That's howI those last twodrives I just withtheBrownshasmade lookatit. Hehada pretty couldn't make enough nosecret ofGilbert being decentgame,andI can't plays for us to finishthat hisidolwhile growing up thankhimenoughfor his one off. That's thetype intheLake Travis area. contributiontothis team. ofthing thatyou dream Gilberttook a differ­ Hecameoutandtook the about, andthat'sthe entroute to thispoint rightstepsforward." type ofsituation youlive fromhis fellow Cavaliers Gilbert played like a vet for as a quarterback." alum,who won aHeisman andshouldbeevenmore Despite the early Trophy and was the comfortable behind center fourth-quarter intercep­ NFL draft's top overall whenthe Cowboys visit tionthat took away a pick,buthe's here now, Minnesota on Nov. 22. likely score that would even ifthe 2 -7 Cowboys "I'vebeenhere four at a minimumhaveput don't figure out a wayto weeks now, and every Dallas up bysevenpoints stay relevant in thehor­ day I go to work withthe - he should have taken rible NFC East, where goalofimproving myself the sack there - Gilbert three wins is somehow as a player andbeing the did a nice job directing good enough for first best quarterback for this the offense inthe final place after nine weeks. team," he said. "That's two minutes. It was a His poise against the whatI'll continue to do solid showing withjust league'slone wibeaten every day going into this one week ofpreparation. teammakes McCarthy's bye week andbeyond." "Ithought he was decisionto start Good for Garrett.

Garrett Gilbert has played for six teams in the past six years, including winning a Super Bowl ring with the 2014 New England Patriots. Dallas recently signed Gilbert off the Cleveland Browns' practice squad. [MARK J. REBILAS/USA TODAY] Injured Big Ben rallies Steelers past Cowboys

By Schuyler Dixon created by us. We can't The Associated Press keep having these con- versations every week ARLINGTON - Ben because one of these Roethlisberger limped weeks we'll be doing it around the backfield, with an 'L' if we're not directing his receivers this careful." wayand that, occasionally Garrett Gilbert was the reaching for a left knee fourth starting quarter­ injured during thesecond­ back in five games for the quarter drive in which he Cowboys (2-7), whowere completed everypass and the biggest underdogs ledthe Pittsburgh Steelers they've been at home in totheir first points. at least 31 years. But the limp was gone Though he threw a as the 38-year-old engi­ touchdown pass inhis first neered a fourth-quarter career startsix years after comeback that kept hewas drafted andbrought Pittsburgh as the NFL's some life to an offense only unbeaten team. that hadn't reached the Roethlisberger threw end zone in two games, all threeofhis touchdown Gilbert couldn't stop a passes after shrugging off losing streak thatis now at theinjury, and the Steelers four games. Those are the improved to 8-o for the four games Dallas hasbeen first time in the storied without starDak Prescott, franchise's history, avoid­ out for the season with a ing what might havebeen broken ankle. the biggest upset of the "I don't know what I season in a 24-19 victory expected going into the over the Dallas Cowboys first one," said Gilbert, a on Sunday. former Lake Travis High "We're humbled and School and Texas quar­ honored to be in that terback who finished his group," coach Mike college career at nearby Tomlin said. "It's not SMU. "It was exciting to without its trials today, get out there and play and obviously. Some of it was get to lead those guys." Klubnik, defense power Chaps past Akins Westlake posts fourth 48-o winover Akins atBurger quarterback Sam Ehlinger shutout of season Stadium. starred at Westlake under It was the fourth shutout coach Todd Dodge, himself By John Harris of the season for Westlake, a former Texas quarterback. American-Statesman which improved to 6-o and Another former Lake Travis Correspondent 4-0 inDistrict 26-6A. Akins quarterback, Charlie Brewer, fell to 1-6 overall and o -5 in is a senior atBaylor. The quality ofhigh school district play while being offi­ Asked for hisopinion about quarterback play in the cially eliminated from playoff the quarterback talent inthe greater Austin area is entering contention. Austin area, Dodge said the a new, lofty era. On Friday, One day earlier, Austin quality at the position has it was Westlake junior Cade High senior and Texas never been higher. Klubnik's turn to carry the commit Charles Wright "I was driving to work baton across thefinish line. threwfive touchdown passes the other morning thinking A week after receiving a against Hays. Wright will aboutit," Dodge said. "I don't scholarship offer from Texas, joincurrent Texas freshman think it's ever happenedthat Klubnik passed for 200 yards quarterback andLake Travis you have two quarterbacks and accounted for three product HudsonCardonthe from the Austin area, really Westlake quarterback Cade Klubnik, who received a scholarship touchdowns inless than 2 ½ Longhorns' teamnextseason. offer from Texas earler this month. led the Chaps to a 48-0 win over quarters in the Chaparrals' Current Texas starting See KLUBNIK, A7 Akins Friday. [RODOLFO GONZALEZ FOR STATESMAN] KLUBNIK

FromPageA6 high-profile scholarship guys that are playing at the University of Texas at the same time, and another one who got an offer from them. And you also have Charles Wright who's committedto play there. It just show the caliber of football inthis area." Austin has a long his­ tory for producing elite quarterback talent such as Super Bowl MVPs Drew Brees and Nick Foles from Westlake as well as HeismanTrophy winner and No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Baker Mayfield from Lake Travis. However, none of those players even received a scholarship offer from Texas. Against Akins, Klubnik tossed two touchdown passes and ranfor another score as Westlake built a 31-0 halftime lead. Klubnik departed after connecting with senior running back Zane Minors for a 35-yard score with 9 minutes, 17 seconds left in thethird quarter. ''With UT offering, it was definitely pretty cool," Klubmk said. "But that's not an automatic thing for me. I'm still very new in my(recruit­ ing) process. I'm taking mytime." Dodge, whohas coached multiple blue-chipquar­ terbacks during histhree decades of coaching in Texas, creditedKlubnik's approach to his recruiting. "You never know how a junior inhigh school is goingtoact with 20 Power 5 (scholarship) offers, 11 he said. "Theymay com - pletely lose their mind and get a big head. He's been very grounded. He isn't letting any of that stuff get in the way ofleading this team." Both of Klubnik's touchdown passes followed his first inter­ ception of the season against Akins' hyper­ aggressive secondary, which featured junior Kimani Smith and senior Robert Matllet IV, who recordedthe interception at the start ofthe second quarter. Akins heldWestlake to its lowest point total of theseason. "They're good ballplayers. They get after it. We need more players like them," Akins coach Humberto Garza said of his defensive backs. uyou look at the scoreboard and they scored 40-some­ thing points, butI thought our defense did what they could and fought until theend. That's all we can ask. 11