Central Texas WRs Ellis, lliggins choose schools Cedar Ridge wide receiver Jaylen Ellis, left, signed with Baylor on Wednesday. The 6-foot, 187•pound playmaker held 25 offers, was a participant at the Opening Finals and is ranked No. 31 on the American-Statesman's 2019 Fabulous 55. (RICARDO B. BRAZZJEU/AMERICAN·STATESMANJ By l\fikc Craven meraven@slalesm:in.com
Austin Bowie wide receiver Elijah Higgins picked his college destination the day before the early signing period when the four-star picked Stanford over Texas and Florida onTuesday night. The big-bodied 6-foot-3 wide receiver earned second-team all -district as a senior despite missing half of the season with a wrist injury. Higgins was a first- team selection as a sophomore and junior. He participated in the Opening Finals and will play in the Polynesian Bowl before finishing his prep career. Higgins is the No. 24-ranked prospect on the latest 2019 Fabulous 55. He held38 offers andpostedalaser-timed4.57 40-yard dash at The Opening at 214 pounds. "Stanford is a ridicu - lous mix of top football and academics," Higgins said. "It's the whole aroma of the program." Higgins is the second local wide receiver the Longhorns came in second place for in the 2019 cycle. " 1 7" : i star Garrett Wilson chose Ohio State over the Longhorns in April. Higgins is a native of Florida and always main - tained leaving the state was not a concern. Ranked as the No. 97th best prospect in the nation by 247Sports Composite, Higgins becomes the top rated member of Stanford's current 2019 class. Crandall center Branson Bragg is a fellow Fab 55 member also committed to Stanford. Ellis chooses Baylor: Jaylen Ellis decided it was best to get his decision in the rear-view CENTRAL TEXAS FOOTBALL SIG NEES mirror, sign early and begin a participant at the Opening preparing for college. The FinalsandisrankedNo. 3100 AUSTIN HIGH Garrett Wilson, WR (Ohio State: three-star wide receiver from the American-Statesman's Ben Koch, TE (Army) MCNEil Cedar Ridge was originally 2019 Fabulous 55. BOWIE Jordan Kerley, WR (Arizona scheduled to commit at the He's considered the El ijah Higgins, WR (Stanford) State) Under-Armour All-American 6oth-best wide receiver in CEDAR RIDGE PFLUGERVILLE Game in Orlando next month the nation per 24 7S ports Jaylen Ellis, WR (Baylor) Casey Washington, WR and sign in February. Composite. GEORGETOWN (Illinois) His final three was Baylor, He's a big-play threat who Mason Meyer, DL (Incarnate ROUND ROCK Tennessee and Michigan. emerged as a junior after be Word) Garrett Miller, TE (Purdue) The speedy receiver chose recorded a 10.4 100-meter HENDRICKSON Ryan O'Keefe, QB (Central Baylor on Wednesday morn dash time at bis district track Curley Young, DL (California) Florida) ing at Cedar Ridge High meet. HUTTO Reese Watson, DB (Incarnate School. Ellis averaged more than Chase Griffin, QB (UCLA) Word) The 6-foot, 187-pound 20 yards a catch in his high LAJCl!t.l!t...!!S VANDEGRIFT playmaker held 25 offers, was school career. Hunter Henry, DB (Rice) Spencer Jones, LB (Army) North Shore quarterback Dematrius Davis (passing against L ~ s in the semifinals) threw a 45-yard touchdown pass as time expired saturday night to give the Mustangs the Class 6A Division I state championship. [JOHN GUTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN] North Shore wins state title on Hail Mary
By l\tikc Craven Shadrach Banks, who fin [email protected] ished with nine catches for 179 yards and a touchdown. ARLINGTON - Hype Carter had caught only rarely fulfills. But Galena one pass all game until the Park North Shore and winner with no time on the Duncanville lived up to the clock. expectations in the Class North Shore junior run 6A Division I champion - ning back Zachary Evans ship game Saturday night ran for 96 yards on 21 to close out the 2018 high carries. school football season. Duncanville almost won It took every second of despite passing for just 47 the 48 minutes to decide yards. Jackson had a game the game as a Hail Mary high 226 yards rushing pass from quarterback from his quarterback posi Dematrius Davis to AJ tion. Running back Trysten Carter from 45 yards out Smith rushed for 152 yards as time expired gave North and three touchdowns for Shore a 41-36 win at AT&T the Panthers. Stacy Brown Stadium. led the Duncanville defense A late touchdown run with nine tackles. by junior quarterback Three players from Ja'Quinden Jackson had North Shore - Keeyon given Duncanville a 36-35 Stewart, Marco Crawford lead with 1 minute, 2 sec and Daymond Lewis - onds left in the game. On the registered 10 tackles. The last play, North Shore found defense earned the first a way to steal the Panthers' points of the game when first state title since 1998. Ashton Reynolds recov Davis led the Mustangs ered a Duncanville fumble with 333 yards passing and for a score. Jordan Revels, five touchdowns, complet a defensive tackle, forced ing 19 of 28. He also rushed the fumble and later caught for 89 yards. His favor a touchdown pass ona trick ite target was sophomore play in the fourth quarter. CENTRAL TEXAS FOOTBALL SIGNEES
AUSTIN HIGH State) Ben Koch, TE (Army) MCNEIL BOWIE Jordan Kerley, WR (Arizona Elijah Higgins, WR (Stanford) State) CEDAR RIDGE PFLUGERVILLE Jaylen Ellis, WR (Baylor) casey Washington, WR GEORGETOWN (Illinois) Mason Meyer, DL (Incarnate ROUND ROCK Word) Garrett Miller, TE (Purdue) HENDRICKSON Ryan O'Keefe, QB (Central Curley Young, DL (catifornia) Florida) HUTTO Reese Watson, DB (Incarnate Chase Griffin, QB (UCLA) Word) LAJU!'tll' VANDEGRIFT Hunter Henry, DB (Rice) Spencer Jones, LB (Army) Garrett Wilson, WR (Ohio Texas may lose two QBs, but gaznsarena and recruit
lhkBobls bile I got ya, here are nine W things and one crazy prediction: 1. During my two week vacation, Texas gained a wonderful new, cozier basketball arena, free of charge, and perhaps lost two young quarterbacks, the Houston Cougars forgot how to play football, Galena Park North Shore per- fected the Hail Mary, 1 Wes i;:, • 1 ... and Liberty Hill had brilliant seasons that endedtoosoon,and columnist buddy Cedric Golden and bis team mate partner Tom Dore won our office fantasy league . ... And then there's Texas signee Jordan Whittington, the four-star Cuero wide receiver who is outstanding. Mike Craven, our r ecruit- ing guru, thinks he's best suited to be a wide receiver who can also play running back and tells me, "I bet he gets a shot at returns, as well. He's just too good with the ball in his hands to put him in a oox. Think of a slot receiver big
See BOHLS, CB BOHLS
From Page CJ enough to play rwming back on third downs. That's where he's rare.
He's 6-foot or 6-11 but he's built like a house and still has the speed. Alvin Kamara may be a good comparison.The kid just loves football, can play anywhere on the field and proved in the title game that a big stage is whe:re he's most comfortable. Texas has lacked true playmakers for years. Whittington is a guy who can create yards and touchdowns off script. He's got all conference talent and enrolls early. I expect him to play a lot as a true freshman and could be the Caden Stems of the 2019 class in terms of instant im_pa~t." 2. I'm not the least bit surprised to learn that Texas freshmen quar terbacks Cam Rising and CaseyThompson are considering transferring although it's far from a forgone conclusion that both or either will leave. Even though. they've put their names in the NCAA database, both are with the team and practic- ing for the Sugar Bowl I assume at least one will leave, but rm not sure it's very smart for either to relocate. I'm not expecting Sam Eblinger to leave school early for the NFL draft, but you never know ilf he kills it again in 2019. It's dam near impossible to keep multiple quarterbacks happy, and the Shane Buecheles and Jalen Hurts are few and far between. 3. How good is Nick Fales? The Westlake product is the CODSUIIl mate professional and epitome of the quintes sential selfless teammate. Not only does he guide the Eagles to their first Super Bowl win, he's gone 8-2 the last two seasons fill ing in for Carson Wentz and set the franchise's single-game passing record last week. Got to believeFolesleavesfora starting job somewhere else. Hello, Miami, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. 4. I was less than over whelmed immediately by the hire of Matt Wells at Texas Tech. But the utah State coach, who left his alma mater after an 11-win season, could be a much better hire than was KliffKingsbury (who isn't made for recruiting or the media .and made questionable decisions) or Tommy Tuberville (who never wanted to be there). Wells brings energy, pas sion and a firm commit ment. He may fit in very well and convinced quar terback Alan Bowman not to transfer.... If Wells scores big, Texas Tech, as a group, would have the best three coaches and best bread-and butter programs overall in football, basketball (Chris Beard) and baseball (Tim Tadlock). Tried to get in to see Texas Tech take on Duke at the Madison Square Garden. Alas, the game was sold out, but maybe 1,000 ofour closest new friends had to wait on security check points to open even as the game began. Instead, son Zach and I watched the Zion Williamson Show from a nearby bar rather than go back out, findascalper and go back through security, only to miss most of the first half. Fans, I salute Cuero's Jordan 11-1 and have won 24 of Whittington their last 29 games. J\nny (3), a Texas had 10 sacks against the signee, scores Cougars, who had given a touchdown up just 20 all season, and past Texarkana rushed for 507 yards. The Pleasant Grove secretary ofthe army, defensive back Mark Esper, decked Kamren Woods out in a sports coat, (15) in the second was among those doing half of the Class pushups for each point 4A Division II state after each touchdown, championship and there were a lot. game at AT&T 8. Scattershooting Stadium in while wondering what Arlington. ever happened to former [STEPHEN SPILLMAN/ Longhorns basketball fOR AMERICAN player Dogus Balbay. STATESMANJ 9. As per our annual holiday tradition, my you for your resolve. and Texas will be hard if players would carelessly family took in a movie 5. Last time I saw the pressed to go .500 in stop extending the ball so but unfortunately saw Texas basketball team Big 12 play, which starts often, we'd see fewer fum "Aquaman." Predictable, live, it was struggling Jan. 2. The Longhorns bles. If NFL teams think tiresome, repetitive battle mightily after a couple don't get any favors from the rule is too punitive, scenes. Very flat humor. of nice wins. I caught the schedule-makers rd suggest coaches coach Gave it four ducks .... the last 10 minutes of because they play Kansas up their players better. Also saw the Broadway the Longhorns' loss to twice in their first eight 7. Hadn't found the play "Dear Evan Hansen" Providence and I see that league games as well as bowl games all that at the Music Box Theatre not much has changed. Texas Tech, OU and TCU compelling, but was in New York Citywith Jericho Sims is still invis when they are on fire. amazed to learn dur the family last week ible with homble body 6. You know it's been ing Army's 70-14romp and loved it. Very language and no con a very boring NFL season over Houston in the original Broadway play fidence after he played when one ofthe most Armed Forces Bowl that with a terrific under just six minutes, Shaka intriguing arguments is the Cadets average just lying message about Smart still doesn't have the controversial argu five hours' sleep a night everyone's self-worth. any consistent shoot- ment over turning over the during football season. Gave it nine ducks. ers (266th nationally in ball to the defense when an That nugget was almost 10. Crazy predic- field goal accuracy, 254th offensive player fumbles as impressive as the fact tion: Oklahoma will beat in 3-point percentage) out of the end zone. Maybe the Black Knights went Alabama by a touchdown. Pair of area OL lead &A all-state picks
Westlake's Webster the Vandegrift coaches during No other area players earned earns spot on Class 6A the all-state nomination pro first-team selections. Cedar all-state football team cess. He played every snap Ridge senior defensive end for the Vipers, who averaged Edge Williams (66 tackles, 20 By Thomas Jones 441. 7 yards and 40 points per behind the line of scrimmage, [email protected] game and won the District 13 sacks, six forced fumbles) 13-6A championship during and Vandegrift junior line A pair of Austin-area senior the first perfect regular season backer Jax McCauley (156 offensive linemen earned in school history. total tackles, 11 TFLs, three spots on the recently released Webst er, a three-year passes defended, three sacks) Texas Associated Press Sports starter for Westlake, had a each earned second-team Editors Class 6A all-state high 99.6-percent grade with48 selections. school football team. pins, 41knockdowns,andone Westwood offensive line Vandegrift's Matthew sack allowed for a team that man James Jarmon, Austin Sanders and Westlake's had 182 pass attempts during High offensive lineman Blake Webster each player the regular season while aver Juan Quezada, Lake Travis center, and each drew afirst aging 4 7. 6 points per game. quarterback Hudson Card, team selection from the AP. He suffered a season-ending Westlake running back Tripp Sanders played every snap for knee injury late in the regular Graham, Westlake linebacker Vandegrift and graded out at season for Westlake, which Jake Ehlinger, Vandegrift Lake Travis cavaliers quarterback Hudson card (1) throws a pass 96 percent with 32 pancakes won the District 25-6A title linebacker Spencer Jones and against the North Shore Mustangs during the first quarter at the and 104 knockdowns, accord and reached the Division II Class 6A Division I state semifinals. card earned all-state honors ing to statistics complied by semifinals. See PICKS, A.7 from the Texas Associated Press. (JOHN GUTIERREZ/ FOR STATESMAN] PICKS fromPageA6
Vandegrift defensive back Reece Watson all earned all state honorable mention. Vot ing for the all-state teams were based on regular season performances. Players are listed in alphabetical order at each position:
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
Linemen (tie for final spot): JAYDENBORJAS, Edinburg Vela, Sr. - 98% grade, 54 pancakes BEAUX LIMMER, Tyler Lee, Sr. - 9591> grade, no sacks allowed, 88 pancakes EJ NDOMA-OGAR, Allen Sr. - 91%grade, 102 pancakes DAWSON REYNOLDS, Odessa Permian, Sr. - 96% grade, 82 pancakes, 69 knock downs for team that averaged 441. 7 yards and 40 points per ganie MATTHEW SANDERS, Austin Vandegrift, Sr. - 96% grade, 104 knockdowns, 32 pancakes at center, played every snap BLAKE WEBSTER, Austin Westlake, Sr. - 99.6'lbgrade, 48 pins, 41 knockdowns, 1 Westlake senior offensive fineman Blake Webster (62) earned all-state honors from the Texas Associated Press. IPAUL BRICK/AMERICAN-STATESMAN) ~cksallo"'.'ed in 182 att~pts for team that averaged 47.6 Dickinson, Sr. - 126 tackles, Cedar Ridge Alex Kingston, Southlake ppg 7 TFLs, 3 INTs defensive Carroll; Matt Jones, Odessa Receivers/ends: Defensive backs: end Edge Permian; De Vere Levelston, JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA, BRAYLENBROOKS, Garland Williams.No. DeSoto; Romeo Martinez, Rockwall, Jr. - 75-1,373, 16 Sachse,Sr. - 31tackles,91NTs 6, earned Midland Lee; Cristian Ramos, TDs (4 TDs), 12 PBUs, punt return all-state Laredo LBJ; Xavier Ross, Cedar PARKER WASHINGTON, forTD honors from Hill; Javarious Sullivan, Bryan; Fort Bend Travis, Jr. - SEVEN SANCHEZ, PSJA the Texas Khristian Versey, Lewisville; 70-1,397, 18 TDs North, Jr. - 154 Tackles, 14 Associated JacobWolfe,HasletNorthwest Quarterback: TFL,21NI's,3FF, 2FR, 6sacks Press. Eaton. HAYNES KING, Longview, KEYON SHANNON, [LOURDESM LINEBACKERS: Freddy Jr. -123-177-2,414, 28 TDs, Haltom, Sr. - 106 tackles, 6 SHOAF FOR Cardenas, Weslaco East; Jake lINT INTs STATESMAN) Ehlinger, Austin Westlake; Running backs: BRANDON WHITE, Corey Flagg, Galena Park AARON DUMAS, EP Amarillo Tascosa, Sr. - 65 Aaron Alvarez, PSJA North, Miguel Flores, PSJA; Loic North Shore; David Gbenda, Americas, Soph. - 2,201 Total tackles, 4 TFL, l FF, 9 Jr.; De'Braylon Carroll, Fouonji, Midland Lee; Justin Katy Cinco Ranch; Charlie rushing yds, 15 TDs PBU,4INT,1sack Duncanville, Sr.; DeMarvin Hammond, Odessa Permian; Gonzales, Midland Lee; DEONDRICK GLASS, Katy, Punter. Leal, Converse Judson, Sr.; Tyler Hudson, Klein Oak; Daemian Gray, Amarillo Sr. - 1,650 rushlng yards, 25 ALAN LERMA, Sheldon Edgerrin Williams, Round Decorian Mitchell, Haltom. Tascosa; Chris Ingram, TDs King, Sr. - 26 punts, 47.8 avg., Rock Cedar Ridge, Sr. QUARTERBACKS: Michael Killeen; Spencer Jones, Austin JORDAN SHELTON, Fort longof52 Linebackers: Black, Haltom; Hudson Card, Vandegrift; Jephaniah Lister, Bend Kempn er, Sr. - 245- Defensive Player ofthe Year: Uzochukwu Ebinama, Lake Travis; Jacob Clark, Longview; Michael Morales, 2,061 rushing, 27TDs BraylenBrooks,GarlandSachse North Garland, Sr.; Jax Rockwall; Velton Gardner, McAllen Memorial; Carter Kicker: McCauley, Austin Vandegrift, Dallas Skyline; Trey Guajardo, Norrie, Lewisville Hebron; CADEN DAVIS, Coppell, SECOND-TEAM Jr.; Jahari Williams, Haltom, PSJA; Brandon Mallory, Plano David Parks, Bryan; Walker Sr. -31-33PATs, 10-14FGs, OFFENSE Sr. East; Polk, Coppell; Kayden Steen, long of 57, 3 FGs longer than Defensive backs: RUNNING BACKS: Jaelin Keller; Josh White, Cypress 50, 33 touchbacks Unemen (tie for final spot): Ty DeArman, Arlington Benefield, Pearland; James Creek; Anziab Williams, SA Offensive Player of the Year: John Basaldua, Converse Bowie, Sr.; Jamal Morris, Fullbright, Waco Midway; Northside Brennan; Zach Haynes King, Longview Judson, Sr.; Brannon Brown, Fort Bend Bush, Sr.;Cameron Tripp Graham, Austin Zimos, Fort Bend Travis. SANorthside O'Connor, Sr.; Oliver, Fort Bend Travis, Westlake; Justin Rodriguez, SA DEFENSIVE BACKS : Larry FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE Mykel Estrello, Haltom, Sr.; Soph.; Karl Taylor, Midland Johnson; Josh Traylor, Midland Cooper, Mesquite Hom; Alcee Marcus Harry, Longview, Sr.; Lee, Jr. Lee; Eddie Villarreal, La Joya; Flores, Brownsville Hanna; Unemen: Henry Mossberg, Sou thlake Punter: Isaiah Spiller, Klein Collins; Braden Hay, Katy Taylor; OMARDARAME, Arlington Carroll, Sr.; Landon Peterson, Carson Roberts, Odessa R.J. Smith, Katy Tompkins; Alex Hogan, Houston Lamar; Sam Houston, Sr. -123 taclc Odessa Permian, Sr.; Permian, Jr. Jacquarion Turner, Sout h Jonathan McGill, Coppell; RJ les, 23 TFL, 10 sacks, 4 FF, 8 Receivers/ends: Garland; Ed Williams, Odessa Mickens, Southlake Carroll; PBUs Kamden Perry, Longview, HONORABLE MENTION Permian. Anfernee Orji, Rockwall; Jacob BRANDON ESTEVES, Sr.;TheoWease,Allen, Sr. OFFENSE KICKERS : Richard Garcia, Plunk, Amarillo Tascosa; Ainias Brownsville Hanna, Jr. - 70 Quarterback: Mesquite Hom; Jefflin Leslie, Smith, Fort Bend Dulles; Darius tackles, 28 TFL, 13 sacks, 2 FF Mike Welch, Diclcinson, Jr. LINEMEN: Cole Birmingham, SANorthside O'Connor; John Snow, Lewisville Hebron; BRAEDON MOWRY, Katy Running backs; Katy; Eric Cisneros, Midland Villalobos, Galena Park North Andres Sustaeta, Brownsville Taylor, Sr. - 66 tackles, 23 Jaylin Hastin gs, SA Jay, Lee; Andrew Coker, Katy Shore. Hanna; Christian Tschauner, TFL, 12 sacks, 3 PBUs, 2 FR Sr.; T.J. McDaniel, Southlake Taylor; Daniel Domian, Odessa Permian; Diego JORDAN REVELS, Galena Carroll, Sr.; Campbell Speights, McAllen Memorial; Alexis Gil, HONORABLE MENTION Villarreal, McAllen Memorial; Park North Shore, Sr. - 9 McAllen Memorial, Jr. Weslaco East; James Jarmon, DEFENSE Reese Watson, Austin sacks, 16 TFLs, 77 tackles Kicker: Round Rocle Westwood; May Vandegrift; Frank Wilson IV, SA linebackers: Gino Garcia, Richardson Joyce, Rockwall; Logan Parr, LINEMEN : Jaylon Allen, Northside Brandeis; Kharnbrail SMITII ESSMAN, Midland, Pearce,Sr. SA Northside O'Connor; Juan Longview; Jacob Banda, Winters, Alief Taylor; Rashad Sr. -191 tackles, 125so!os, 20 Quezada, Austin High; Thalen Weslaco East; Jamie Ferguson, Wisdom, Converse Judson; TFL,6sacks Robinson, Arlington Bowie. SA Madison; Avelino Garcia Erick Young, Fort Bend Bush. GAVON LANGE, Haltom, SECOND-TEAM RECEIVERS/ ENOS: Jaelen Jr., San Benito; Antonio Greer, PUNTERS: Logan Claborne, Jr. - 122 tackles, 9 sacks, 2 DEFENSE Anderson, Plano East; Trejan Arlington Bowie; PrysonGreer, Rockwall; Richard Garcia, INTs, 14 TFL, 2 FR Bridges, Lewisville Hebron; SA Northside O'Connor; Mesquite Horn; Isaac Ochoa, LANDON ROQUE, Unemen: Anthony Brown, Belton; Kadren Johnson, Lewisville; La Joya. Changing chapters, Cavs' Wilson begins new future
WIison: Playing for L ~ • _ ... at s has helped prep him for Ohio state
By Rick Cantu [email protected]
L ... "E-NA Y - Garrett Wilson, the state's No. 1 high school recruit, said Wednesday that playingforl ', m '. haspre pared him for the next chapterof bis life. The Cavaliers' five-star wide receiver posed for pictures with bis family after signing a national letter of intent to play for Ohio State. Flanked by his father, Kenneth, bis mother, Candy, and bis sister Sydney, it was a portrait he won't soon forget. PlanningtoenrollatOhioState in January, bis last day as a high schoolstudentwillbeTonrsday. ''This place has prepared me for college sports, academics, and everything it takes to go to the next level," Wilson said. He received a hug from Cavaliers safety Hunter Henry, who also signed Wednesday to play at Rice. They soaked in applause from about 100 friends, coaches and officials, including - s' principal and the school district's superintendent. L.: - • wide receiver Garrett Wilson signs his national letter of intent Dec. 19 with Ohio State as his mother, Candy, looks on. Wilson is the Wilson, the No. I -ranked state's No. 1 recruit. It.. .. ISO PHOTO] player on the American- Statesman's Fabulous 55, picked 'Ifs 1-,ery rare ti.hen someone has a lot ofexpectations put or, FAB 55: RECENT NO. 1'5 ObioStateoverrougbly 4ootber them and they meetorerceed thenL LeBrcm was one ofthose offers, including Texas. He's guys when J,e anneoutofhlgh school. Garrett lsn'tLeBron Where the last 10 No. 1 recruits from the Fabulous 55 have signed: the second-highest prospect yet, but Ire's tncmlJble on the field and In the classroom. He's 2009: Garrett Gilbert, .__ - J QB (Texas) in the Buckeyes' class, which a fanatic competitor and ooe ofthe g uJs we're gohag to brag 2010: Jackson Jeffcoat, Plano West DE (Texas) features three five-star recruits about later.' 2011: Steve Edmond, Dainger1ield ILB (Texas) and is ranked 14th nationally. Hank Carter, cavaliers coach 2012: Mario Edwards, Denton Ryan DE (Florida State) Ohio State signed the nation's 2013: Robbie Rhodes, Fort Worth Southwest WR (Baylor) top-rat ed defensive end, the 2014: Myles Garrett, Arlington Martin DE (Texas A&M) second-ratedwidereceiverand 2015: Malik Jefferson, Mesquite Poteet OLB (Texas) the second-rated center. 2016: Gregory Little, Allen OT (Ole Miss) Ohio State has signed the 219 passes for3,578 yards and 57 Wilson's legacy at :t , i 2017: Baron Browning, Kennedale OLB (Ohio State) state'sNo.1-rankedrecruittwo touchdowns and played for two has already been written. The 2018: Garrett Wilson, i.;.;;.... - _...:: WR (Ohio State) years in a row. state championships. Cavaliers went 41-6 during bis Wilson has been a walking Cavaliers coach Hank Carter three years, won the Class 6A INSIDE bigbligbt reel for the past three described Wilson as "the " ~ years, aspaninwhichhecaugbt ~ version"ofLeBronJames. SeeWILSON, A7 For the Fab 55 2019 list see page A7 AMERICAN-STATESMAN 2010 FABULOUS 55
The American-Statesman's Fabulous 55 list of the state's top recruits for 2019, compiled by staff writer Mike Craven.
bet ,.., ~ HI., WI...... Pk,er Sdlool HI., WI. ~IOI• I """Wll Gam.-11 Wilson LlM> m.ts (611) 6-0.181 Signcdwith=not. ~ 29 OT MdrewCOkl,r Katy lily1or (6A) 6-6.310 Signrd "1th TCU 2 Ill -,,,111n1 con~ Judson (611) H.280 Signtd ...,111 ltlQs A&M JG AB ISliaJISpilcr Klrlneollils(611) 6-0,201 ~with TmSA&M 3 -~(6/\) 6-4.330 Signed widl Toxas A&M -JI WR Jaylcn !Jbs R. Rede Cedar Ridge (611) 6-0JllO Slgl,odwithlloylor OT ~•Gtton 4 OlB Mll'Ccl- ~ MOund (611) 6-l.l'JS SigllNI with lSU 32 OT JIWQMQShrph(,rd HOll.llortll-(4A) 6-6.346 commincd IO ltlQs 5 OT ~lot-• ~ oat Ri. (611) 6-S.JDS Signed with T~ ll s iytcro....s Pia.no Easl (6A) 6-2,202 Signed wilh Ti?xas 6 WR Jonlin Whllta,gton Cllcro(4A) 6-1.1~ Signed WM Tcm J.4 OT lash Ellison 11AM C0nsClld.iled (SA) 6-3,285 Sogned wllh Texas AIM 7 TE AiJSlin Stogner PICSlllnwood Cllh. (PrivJ fis6..2J5 Signed with Oklallmnl JS AB Dlimarqlll foSW WidliQ Falls Hirscli (4A) S 10.195 Signcd .,itll TCU 8 DE NaM O..lo-Mfflsah F.W. Nolan Clth. (Priv.) 6·4,231 591Cd..th-D.llnc l6 RB Darwin lwlow Newton (2/\l S-11.195 Signed wlth TCU 9 CB .ICflcryQrtc, M.lmfldd Ltgacy (tiA) 6·0.186 Slgntdwith Allbama 31 OE SlCffl!Pwr SOUIII OU Clllf (SA) 6-4.2211 -1. ind. TCU. e.trlor 10 s BriaJI WIiiams Da&\s Bishop Duane (Priv.) 6-1,211 Signed -..idl TOJ
"It'sveryrarewhensomeone we're going to bragabout later." retirement) didn't affect me What will Wilson remember WILSON has a lot ofexpectations put on Wilson said he did not waver at all, but when they made the about Lake Travis? them and they meet or exceed from his decision to play for decision to elevate coach Day "The blue-collar work fromPageA6 them," Carter said. "LeBron Ohio State when Urban Meyer to the head coaching job, we ethic," be said. "Alot of people was one of those guys when retired earlier this month. were comfortable with that," think Lake Travis has a bunch he came out of high school. He had already developed a he said. of snobby kids, but we work Division I state title in 2016, Garrett isn't LeBron yet, but relationship with Meyer's "He's someone that me and for everything we get. There's reached the state finals again he's incredible on the field and replacement, offensive coordi my family have full trust in, a reason the school has won in 2017 and made it to the state in the classroom. He's a fanatic nator Ryan Day. and we have a great relation six state championships. It semifinals this fall. competitorandoneoftheguys " I can't say (Meyer's ship with him." doesn't just happen. " West!, ' quarterback Taylor Anderson (6), scoring a touchdown against t l:c during a District 25·6A football game Oct. 12, earned District 25·6A MVP honors. [STEPHEN SPILLMAN mil AMERICAN STATESMANJ Chaps, Cavs dominate all-district football team
By Thomas Jones [email protected] After dominating District 25- 6A and the rest of Region IV, West. _and r -. dominated the all- district selections determined by the district's coaches. The two teams, who each reached a Class 6A state semi final, combined to win seven ofthe nine postseason awards for the district as well as mul tiple spots on the lengthy all- district teams compiled by the coaches. West' senior quarter- back Taylor Anderson, who led the Chaps to the undis puted district championship, earned Most Valuable Player honors after throwing for 2,328 yards and 31 touch downs and adding another 771yards and1otouchdowns on the ground. The three-year starter saved his best for the biggest game, topping 150
See DISTRICT, A7 *DE - William Robertson, OL - Steven Rolan, senior, DISTRICT senior, Westlake Bowie LB - Seth Ewing, senior, OL- Connor Harkin, senior, 1'romPageA6 Bowie Hays LB - Mauricio Trevino, OL - Dawson Weiss, junior, junior, Lake Travis Lake Travis yards both rushing and passing LB - Nick Villarreal, junior, OL - Connor Halverson, in a 44-14 win over Lake Travis Lake Travis junior, Westlake that determined the district *LB - Ben Pankonien, senior, P - Trevor Marek, senior, championship. Westlake Anderson Gauett Wilson, a senior DB - Andre Jackson, senior, K - Josh McCormick, sopho receiver for Lake Travis, earned Anderson more, Bowie offensive MVP recognition after DB - Kendrick Neptune, LS - KalebHalfmann,junior, capping his stellar prep career senior, Bowie Lake Travis with 70 catches for 1,151 yards DB - Hunter Henry, senior, and 19 touchdowns despite Lake Travis The second-team defense missing four games. The Ohio DB - Sage Luther, junior, includes: Statesigneehad10 of his touch Westlake DL - Josh Hall, junior, down catches in five playoff DB - Drew Webster senior, Anderson games. Westlake DL - Andres Gomez, junior, Westlake senior Jake Ehlinger Westlake Chaparrals head coach Todd Dodge celebrates with his team DB - Doak Wilson, senior, Anderson picked up defensive MVP following the playoff win against Edinburg Vela. Dodge earned coach· Westlake DL - Jamison Eddlemann, honors afterrackingup a team of-the-year honors in District 25~A. !JOHN GUTIERREZ/ FOO STATESMAN) senior, Hays high 105 tackles for a dominant The second-team offense DL - Raleigh Erwin, sopho Chap defense that had six shut Anderson includes: more, Lake Travis outs while allowing 9.3 points The first team offense includes: *OL - Juan Quezada, senior, QB - Xavier Martinez, senior, DL - Bobby Duncum, junior, per game. QB - Hudson Card, junior, Austin High Hays Westlake Todd Dodge capped his Lake Travis OL - Thomas Kazmierski, RB - Grayson Davis junior, DE-Aiden Fitzgerald, senior, fourth season at Westlake by QB - Nicholas Cagle, senior, senior, Hays Austin High Hays receiving the district's coach Akins OL-ChadWolf, senior, Lake RB - Devin Hines, senior, DE - Matthew Peterman, of the year award after leading RB - Coy Fullmer, senior, Travis Hays senior, Lake Travis the Chaps to a 13-2 record and Anderson *OL - Ben Christen, senior, RB - Weston Stephens, soph LB - Nathaniel Valez, senior, a second consecutive berth in RB - Kyle Carter, senior, Westlake omore, Lake Travis Anderson the state semifinals. A four Bowie OL - Ryan Natenstedt, TE - Jayden York, junior, LB - Peyton Ludemann, time state championship coach RB - Tripp Graham, senior, senior, Westlake Bowie senior, Bowie with Southlake Carroll, Dodge Westlake P - Xavier Martinez, senior, TE - Grayson Sandlin, junior, LB - Nicholas Chavez, senior, also led Westlake to its first RB -Tavierre Dunlap, sopho Hays Lake Travis Del Valle back-to-back district titles more, Del Valle *K - Gabriel Lozano, senior, TE - Rhett Kelly, senior, LB - Michael Mireles, senior, since2004-05. TE - Ben Koch, senior, Austin Westlake Westlake Hays Aust in High sophomore High *LS - John Oehrlein, senior, WR - Colby Kalbacher, LB - Blake Chambers, senior, quarterback Charles Wright TE - Bayler Jordan, senior, Westlake junior, Austin High Westlake received offensive newcomer Hays WR - Elijah Higgins, senior, DB - Kameron Langford, honors, while Westlake junior *WR - Mason Mangum, The first-team def~nse inclu~s: Bowie junior , Anderson defensive back Leo Lowin junior, Westlake *DL - Cooper Laake, senior, WR - Cade Forado.ry, senior, DB - Terance Durst, senior, picked up the defensive new WR - Sawyer Berry, senior, Bowie Bowie Bowie comer award. Westlake senior Austin High *DL - Kaleb Wenson, senior, WR - Caleb Burton, fresh DB - Chris Turner, junior, Blake Webster was named the WR- Kyle Eaves, junior, Lake Lake Travis man, Del Valle Del Valle offensive lineman MVP, while Travis *DL - Hamid Julbe, senior, WR - Bryant Lewis, sopho DB - Jaidon Bialezewski, classmate David Neil earned WR - Penny Baker, senior, Hays more, Lehman senior, Hays defensive lineman MVP honors. Westlake *DL - Trellis Collins, senior, C - Alexi Rodriguez, senior, DB - Copeland Gothard, Bowie senior Jackson Lord was C - Brandon Garcia, senior , Westlake Del Valle junior, Lake Travis named the return -specialist Hays DE - M'Elijah W,esley, senior, OL - Stephen Kates, senior, MVP by the coaches. OL - Jeremiah Byers, senior, Bowie Akins * unanimous selection Area trio to finish one chapter, start another
By Mike Craven [email protected]
SAN ANTONIO - Brothers don't always share DNA. That's the case with wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Jaylen Ellis, who came up in the recruiting game together and formed an unbreakable bond. The two will finish their high school careers Saturday in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio. 11 . s' Wilson, Cedar Ridge's Ellis and Bowie's Elijah Higgins are the best trio of wide receiver tal ents to exit the Austin area. All three are members of the Fabulous 55. Ellis chose Baylor. Wilson is heading back home to Columbus to play for Ohio State. Higgins picked Stanford.
SeeTRIO, C6
All-American Bowl
Noon Saturday, A.lamodome in San Antonio, NBC TRIO From Page Cl
"It was real cool because we lived the same timeline," Ellis said. "This all happened for us at the same time, and we could bounce stuff back and forth throughout the process. It was a power trio to come out of Austin, and hopefully t hat opens doors for more guys." Recruiting gets lonely. The weight of the world is placed on the backs of teenagers, and each move is dissected by coaches, reporters and fans. It's overwhelm cedar Ridge wide receiver Jaylen Ellis (4) and Lake ing. It's bard. It's also Travis receiver Garrett Wilson (14) will play their final the goal for every top high school game saturday, representing the West in player in the country. the annual All-American Bowl in san Antonio. (MIKE These three lived their CRAVEN/AMERICAN·STATESMANJ dreams, even if the pro- cess was more difficult admitted he entertained The 6-foot, 187-pound than imagined. conversations with the three-star is ranked 31st "I had no expectations staff at Oklahoma but on the Fab 55. Higgins going into the process," said he was 100 percent checked in at No. 24. Wilson admitted. "It committed when Ohio "When people tell you ended up being a bless State announced Ryan it's a hard, tough pro ing, but it was hectic. It Day as its next bead cess, they're not lying. I was a good problem to coach. can tell you from experi - have." "It was hectic towards ence," Ellis said. "Take Wilson is the No. I the end," he said. "I your time with it and player on the American talked to an Oklahoma figure out which schools Statesman's Fabulous coach over the phone, actually want you, not 55. The 6-foot-I, 181- and other schools the ones you want. Go to pound five-star prospect reached out." the one that wants you." was the No. 2 receiver It was an important It's all over now. in the country, per the time for Wilson and a The three receivers are 247Sports composite. valuable lesson for future signed and ready for col - Texas wanted him badly. recruits. Pick the school, lege. They hope Austin He helped Lake Travis not the coach. becomes a higher prior win a state champion "It is super important ity for recruiters in the ship as a sophomore and to fall in love with the future. The city is loaded return to the game as a program," Wilson said. with talent in 2020, with junior. "Love the coaching staff, guys like Alfred Collins, Wilson committed but make sure you love Princely Umanmeilen to Ohio State back in the place you're going." and Hudson Card. April and stuck with the Ellis' road to a com "We went through Buckeyes throughout mitment was different. recruiting together. the ordeal surround He picked Baylor early Austin is coming up," ing Urban Meyer. The in the cycle and con - Wilson said. "To have questions about bis tinued to take visits and those guys as brothers commitment intensified flirt with other programs to talk to and relate to in when Meyer announced before signing with this process was great for his retirement. Wilson the Bears on Dec. 19. all of us." Class of2019 stars offer recruiting advice
By Mike Craven [email protected]
SAN ANTONIO - No two recruiting paths are the same. It's an individual journey for a teenager that includes multitudes of vari ables, from socioeconomic ones to something as simple as location. The ride tends to start in a player's sophomore year as recruiting letters and questionnaires trickle in and it intensifies as offers and options become available as juniors. The All-American Bowl in San Antonio was a celebration ofsorts. Nearly every prospect cavaliers wide receiver Garrett Wilson has a message in attendance was signed or for younger recruits: "falJ in love with the program · love the committed to a school by the coaching staff, but make sure you love the place you're going." end of the game on Saturday. The No. 1 prospect in the state for the 2019 class signed with The weeklong event was an Ohio State in December. (JOHN GUTIERREZ/~OR AMERICAN-STATESMAN] award for making it to the ~- ~ ~. ~ - finish line of the recruiting prospects and colleges. It's followed despite his com- process. Thespoilswereswag usually too late come senior mitment to Baylor. He ended and television time. season. up sticking with Baylor and Most recruits say the two Some of that is the early signed on Dec. 19. best days in recruiting are signing period. Some of it is "When people tell you it's a the ones when they receive that prospects can now take hard, tough process, they're their first offer and the day official visits in the spring of not lying," Ellis said. "I can they sign. It's the process in their junior season instead of tell you from experience. Take between that stresses out waitinguntilsenioryear. The your time with it and figure the kids, parents and college pressure is on college coaches out which schools actually coaches. The options were to impress these young guys want you, not the ones you llillimited for a guy like five early or miss out altogether. want. Goto the one that wants star wide receiver Garrett Jimbo Fisher did an excellent you." Wilson of · ~ ':..- ls. job of understanding that in Four-star tight end Austin "I bad no expectations going the2019 cycle - and it's why Stogner was among the dozen into the process. It ended up the Aggies hold the third - members of the Fabulous being a blessing, but it was ranked class in the nation. 55 in San Antonio. He also hectic. It was a good problem "The process was good for committed as a junior. The to have," said the Ohio State me. Be humble through the Prestonwood Christian prod signee. "It is super impor whole thing; listen to your uct sees the recruiting process tant to fall in love with the elders; and take thatwisdom," turn into a circus and warns program. Love the coaching Leal said. "Ask questions and future prospects against let staff, but make sure you love trust the people around you. ting the noise interfere with the place you' re going." Be as aware of what is going the goal. Wilson is the No. 1-ranked on around you as poSSJble." "You can control your pro player on the American - Not every prospect starts cess and how crazy it gets," Statesman's Fabulous 55. in the spotlight. Round Rocle said the Oklahoma commit. The No. 2 player is Converse Cedar Ridge wide receiver "Don't letthe coaches control Judson defensive lineman JaylenEllis isa three-star who you and make you fly around DeMarvin Leal. The Texas didn'tblowupontherecruit all the time. Enjoy high school A&M signee committed back ingtrail until he posted a 10.4 and your time with your in April, as did Wilson, high 100-meter dash at a district friends. Do your research, lighting a trend. Junior years track meet at the end of his but don't be on the move all are now the money year for junior year. The big offers thetime." Class of 2020 What are Texas' needs on offense?
By Mike Craven an arms race for Texas, Texas Quarterbacks [email protected] A&M and Oklahoma; all three programs hold momentum on Needs: 1 or 2 Texas secured 21 signa and off the field, with the trio commitments: Hudson Card ttues during the early signing all set to sign top-10 classes Top target Maille Hornsby period on Dec. 19. That means in the same year for the first Texas secured its quar- only a handful of spots remain time since 2004. terback for the 2019 class North Shore running back Zach Evans breaks free from the defense open. It also means the staff Here are the needs and early early, whenRoscbonJohnson during the team' s playoff win over . ~ T- ,. during the 2018 UIL can start to shift even more top targets for the Longhorns pledged in the summer prior playoffs. Evans is the top-rated running back recruit for the 2020 focus toward the 2020 class. in 2020. Texas holds t wo class. [JOHN GUTIERREl/l'OR AMERICAN-STATESMAN] The 2020 cycle should be offensive commitments so far. See TEXAS, CJ Clearcreek TEXAS tackle Chad Lindberg From Page Cl is the main focus of to his junior season. Texas' The Longhorns pulled a recruiting similar trick for the 2020 for the cycle when Card, a Lake offensive Travis product who grew line for up a UT fan, pledged as a the 2020 junior. class. (MIKE It's unclear whether the CRAVEN/ Longhorns are done at the AMERICAN position. STATESMANJ Hornsby, a dual-threat from Fort Bend Marshall, is the only uncommitted quarterback with a Texas offer. Much of it depends on what happens with the possible transfers of guys like Cam Rising and Casey Thompson. Card is a four - star dual-threat who fits the style of quarterback that Tom Herman and Tim Beck prefer. He started at wide receiver for Lake Travis as a sophomore and took over the quarterback position as a junior. He led bis team to the state semifinals and put in a strong showing at the Future 50 Camp ran by Under Armour last week in Orlando.
Running backs
Needs: 2 Commitments: None Top targets: Zach Evans, Kendall Milton, Ty Jordan Other prospects: Seth McGowan, Jase McClellan Evans is arguably Herman's most-impor tant recruit so far at Texas. The program that lands the five-star run ning back from Galena Park North Shore bolds bragging rights, because every major program in the country is in the mix. Evan.s is a generational talent, drawing compari sons to Adrian Peterson. He's that good. One running back won't be enough, especially if Texas can't find a prep prospect at the position before the end of the 2019 cycle. The Longhorn.s signed only four-star Derrian Brown in the early period and don't return much reliable depth with the departure of Tre Watson. Milton and Evans have discussed play ing together in college. The Longhorns are after both, as well as a few in-state prospects like Jordan, McGowan and McClellan, who is com mitted to Oklahoma. Wide receivers
Needs: 3or 4 Commitments: None Top targeits: Mookie Cooper, Joel Williams, Kelvontay Dixon, Troy Omeire, Other prospects : Demond Demas, Ryan King, Marcus Rosemy Demas is commit - ted to Texas A&M - but tbat won't stop Texas and other programs from chasing the elite wideout. He's the second-best wide receiver in the state. Texas hasn't done great in Fort Bend County despite its success in Houston. Omeire would be a big win at a position of need in 2020. Cooper is a teammate of 2019 signee Marcus Washington. Cooper is a playmaker in the mold of Jordan Whittington. He can play all over the field but is considered a slot receiver and third-down back. Texas is also in the mix with slot receivers like Dixon, who is the brother of current Longhorn Keaontay Ingram. Joel Williams is an ath lete from Louisiana whom Texas is high on early. Tight ends
Needs: 1or2 Commitments: None Top target: Seth Figgins other prospects: Michael Mayer, D.J. Rogers This position is still foggy. Figgins was a teammate of2019 signee De'Gabriel Floyd at Westlake Village in California, but is already committed to Oregon. Texas has yet to offer a single in-state prospect. Herman recently men tioned at a coaching convention that tight end is among the hardest positions to evaluate and recruit at the high school level. Offensive Hnemen
Needs:4or5 Commitments: Logan Parr (OG) Top targiet s: Chad Lindberg (OT), Damieon George (OT), Jaylen Garth (OT), Jake Majors (OG) Other prospects: Omari Thomas, Chris Morris, Jake Wray Texas is not done recruiting .2019 pros pects along the line after signing just Tyler Jobnson and Isaiah Hookfin during the early period. The Longhorns do hold a com - mitment from four-star Javonne Shepherd, but Texas A&M is in the mix to gain his national letter of intent in February. That makes 2020 even more important for Herman and assistant coach Herb Hand. Texas started well with an interior four-star prospect like Parr. The Longhorns are in good position with the trio of George, Majors and Lindberg, who all share a group message with Parr. Garth blocked for 2019 quarterback signee Roschon Johnson. PREP BASKETBALL BOYS DEL VALLE 49, L'J'.£-P..'l'j 45 f-- 141, 11-4, 118 Vdo 1l 1l 11 13 - 49 liiiils: G"901'/ 2, e«mann S. wett senior PG Delon a ' - ~ squad ranked Crenshaw says win over No. 7 in the latest Class 6A No. 7 cavs biggest In his poll by the Texas Association 3 years with cards of Basketball Coaches. "We're real pumped and By Chris Bils excited, we just played good Alllerican•Sl:ilesman team ball," Crenshaw said. correspondent "Everybody knows that I'm a scorer, I was just trying to get DELVALLE - Through the myteaminvolved." early part of its season, Del Senior Bo Todman led Valle has leaned on senior Del Valle (5-6, 3-2 District point guard Deion Crenshaw 25-6A) with 14 points, while to carry the scoring load. In a Caleb Harris added 10. A 49-45 upset over ,,... ~ host of othe.r Cardinals made on Friday, Crenshaw was big plays down the stretch to counting on everybody else. topple the Cavaliers (16 - 2, Even though his only sec 2·2). ond-half points came on a "I knew we had it in us," pair of free throws, Crenshaw Todman said. "We all bad was smiling wide after the to move the ball more, score Cardinals pulled off what he more so we could open up the L \: .t ·5 cavalliers guard Bennett Mohn (21) attempts the shot but is blocked by Del ValJe cardinal called the biggest win of his Deion Crenshaw (3) during the third period of the District 25-6A boys basketba.11 game on Dec. 21 at Del three years on varsity against See HOOPS, AS Valle High School, lJOHN GUTIERREZ/ FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN] Caleb Burton banked in a committed to Cal could be difficult for the Cavs to pass our team played like they had HOOPS floater to put the Cardinals done for the year. the ball inside. Forward Brett been playing," Clint Baty said. ahead 42-40 with 5 minutes "I was" worried about Del Baty led Lake Travis with 13 "I can't look at one person FromPageA6 left. Valle, Lake Travis coach Clint points and 6 rebounds, while and say, 'Man, he had a good Del Valle held Lake Travis Baty said. Bennett Mohn added 12 points game.'" to 15 points in the second half. "I seemed to be the only one and John Wetter had 11 off the Athree-second call on Brett defense and get some looks." The Cavs were coming off that was." bench. Baty wiped away a 3-pointer Trailing 38-36 at the start of a 10-day break following a Lake Travis made four Point guard Ryan Bormann by Wetter with 2 minutes left the fourth quarter, Del Valle narrow loss to rival Westlake 3-pointers in the first quarter had a poor shooting night, and the Cavs trailing by four. put together an 8-o run. A and were playing without and only two more the rest of with all five of his points Cardinals big man OJ Igiebon putback by Todman tied the injured big man D .J. Thorpe. the game, as the Cardinals cut coming in the first half. bad a crucial block in the final score at 40, before fresh.man The 6 -foot- 8 forward off driving lanes and made it "I didn't think anybody on minute t o help seal the win. Lake Thlvis cavaliers guard Brett Baty (22) deflects the shot attempt by Del Valle cardinal Calell Harris (12) during the second period of the District 25-6A boys baskelbaU game on Dec. 21 at Del Valle High School [lOHNGUTIEAA(l/fOR AMERICAN·STArESMANJ HI G H S CHOOL BOY S BA S K ETBALL: FAB F I V ES AND PLAY E R OF THE WEEK FAB FIVES 25-6A with a 2-3 record. ... Carter Ford (16 points), Class6A Jadt Peterson (15) and Ryan I. Westla:... 15·2 Ward (15) helped Round 2. Hendrickson 13·3 Rock remain unbeaten 3. 11..11.. 1.... i. 16·2 in District 13-6A with a 4. Round Rock 12·4 67-61 win over Leander. 5. Bowie9-3 ... Hendrickson remains Class SA tied with Round Rock atop I. LBJ 8-2 the district standings after 2. Connally 11 ·5 a 63-60 win over Cedar 3. Cedar Park 13·3 Ridge. Dylan Disu and 4. Lockhart 13·5 Isaac Bullard had 24 and 5. Reagan 11-3 23, respectively, for the Class 4A and othrs victorious Hawks .... In a I. Liberty Hill 15·3 District 25-5A thriller Dec. 2. Thorndale 12·4 20, Lockhart beat visiting 3. Blanco 13·5 Connally head coach Bradley Washington talks to Eddie Reagan 61-60 in a battle 4. Regents 11-4 Burgess (15) during a time out against the Pflugerville offab Five teams. 5. Taylor 12-3 Panthers earner this season. State-ranked Connally beat Rouse last week in a pivotal District 17·5A contest. !JOHN GAMES TO WATCH PLAYER OFTHE WEEK GUTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN) FRIDAY-SATURDAY Coleton Benson, soph o· carry the team, Veteran 18 points from post Eddie Hays Rebel Christmas more, Bowie. The 6-foot-1 coach Darrel Hagemann's Burgess. ... Llllerty Hill, No. Classic, Hays High School: shooting guard poured in team allows just 51. 7 9 in Class 4A, did not play Areasquadsinthe24-team a team· high 23 points as points a game, and only and will compete in the field include Westl.lu, Bowie remained unbeaten Westl.i..a and I.-& T'""""" prestigious Whataburger Round Rock, Stony Point, in District 25-6A play with have scored more than 60 Classic in Tarrant County Del Valle and the host a 66-61 win over longtime points against McNeil. this weekend .... Blanco, Rebe.ls, among others. rival Austin High Friday. HOW RANKED LOCAL No. 23 in the Class 3A poU, WEDNESDAY TEAMS FARED FRIDAY: In picked up an impressive LBJ at Dripping Springs, AREA ROUNDUP Class 6A, No. 6 We~ road win in District 25-JA 6 p.m.: Realignment sprinted past District with a 63-52 victory over brought Dripping Springs STI!EAKS ALIVE? McNeil 25-6A rival Hays 82-51. perennial power Jarrell... . int0District25-5A, where had to finish last season In other district action Thorndale, No. 17 in the longtime hoops king LBJ wi th a flurry of seven involving teams ranked by latest Class 2A poll, beat bas won at least a share straight wins in order to the Texas Association of Holland 68-35 t o remain of the district title in 21 extend its streak ofconsec · Basketball Coaches, No. wibeateninDistrict25-1A consecutive seasons. utive playoff appearances 17 I. , T" , dropped OTHER NOTABLE SCORES: Mccallum at Reagan, 8 to 11. This season's Mavs out of the top 10 for the Mer a wrenching 59-55 p.m.: Are the 9-5 Knights hope to avoid such drama. first time this season fol - loss to rival Hays last for real? We'll find out So far, so good; McNeil lowinga49-45loss to Del week, Lehman bounced against rugged Raiders. improved to 3-1inDistrict Valle ....LBJ, No. 9inCJass back with a 58-53 win 13-6A play with a 49-40 5A, beat 'J;., ,- 70-61 in a over Anderson Friday. Please send scores, sta win over Vandegrift District 25-5A contest Oscar Montalvo scored 18 tistics, information and Friday. James Curtis led behind 24 points from Brian points to lead the Lobos player ofthe week nomi the Mnvs with 12 points, Batts and No. 12 Connally (9-6), who are currently nees to Thomas Jones at but defense continued to bent Rouse 66-47 behind tied for fifth in District tjones@statesmaJLcom. Westwood wins Leander tourney Rlval Round Rock Saturday to claim the tour signed with Texas, had 27 reaches tltle game nament championship. Ryan points, 11 rebounds and four In Hays Ward scored 24 points for blocks in a 59-46 win over the Dragons in the title game, District 25-6Arival Del Valle By TI1omas Jones while Carter Ford connecting in the consolation-bracket [email protected] on five three-pointers while title game. Host Hays and adding 19 points for Round Pflugerville also won two While area boys basketball Rock (16-5), which had won games to advance to the quar teams received time off from 10 consecutive games before terfinals of the tournament. the classroom during the falling to Antonian. At the Leander ISD holiday break, they certainly Wesl.,..j._.! (19-3), ranked Christmas Classic, Westwood didn't take a break from the No. 9 in the latest Texas senior guard Patrick Sladek hardcourt during a whirl Association of Basketball earned Most Valuable Player wind of tournaments this past Coaches' Class 6A polJ, honors while leading the weekend. opened the Hays tournament Warriors (10-8) to a win over In a Hays Rebel Classic with a 53-50 loss to Houston Highlands in the touma loaded with Austin-area St. Thomas but won their next ment' s title game Saturday. [ • - ·~ guard Ryan Bormann (4), fighting for the ball against Del teams, parochial power four games to claim the con- Cedar Park finished third Valle earlier this season, helped the cavs reach the title game of the San Antonio Antonian beat solation bracket. West...a.e's Allen ln-N-Out Burger Holiday Invitational earlier this weekend. [JOHN surging Round Rock 80-70 Will Baker, a 6-foot-n post See HOOPS, AB GUTIERREZ/ FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN ) Hendrickson also competed HOOPS in the tournament but fell to Fort Worth Brewer in the first FromPageA6 round of the championship bracket. At the Fort Worth ISO in the townament, while Classic, Class 5A No. 9 LBJ Vandegrift won the consola - (10-4) beat Denton 81-62 tion bracket. and Frisco Centennial 49-46 At the Allen In - N-Out before falling 59-56 to No. 19 Burger Holiday Invitational, El Paso Burges. Class 6A No. 17 Lake Travis Burges went on to win the (20-3) reeled off four straight tournament, while the Jags wins before falling to No. 2 dropped their final game of Allen 64-41 in the title game. the event 66-63 to Plano The Cavs' four wins included West. a taut, 47-45 triumph over Most schools resume dis No. 15 Killeen Shoemaker. trict play this week. Westlake post wm Baker (SO), shooting over Lake navis forward Brett Baty (22) earlier this season, helped the Chaps win the consolation bracket at the Hays Rebel Classic this past weekend. Westwood's Patrick Sladek (4), dribbling around Round Rock's Jack Peterson earlier this season, earned [STEPHEN SPILLMAN FOR STAT£SMANJ MVP honors at the Leander ISO Christmas Classic this past weekend. [JAMIE HARMS FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN! HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL: FAB FIVES AND PLAYER OF THE WEEK FABFIVES Class6A l.West....l 20-3 2. 21-3 3. Round Rock 17-5 4. Hendrickson 15-5 5. Bowie 11-4 ClassSA l.CedarPark 16-4 2. Dripping Springs 14-4 3.LBJ 10-5 4.Connally 13-7 5. Reagan 16-3 Class 4A and others 1. Liberty Hill 17.5 2. Taylor 16-3 3. Thorndale 14-6 4.Blanco 17-6 5. Regents 11·4 PLAYER OF THE WEEK Will Baker, senior, wesr , ~: The 7-footer showed off the skills that earned him a scholarship to Texas during a 75-45 win over Anderson Wednesday with 40 points, 14 rebounds, two nifty assists and a block. AREA ROUNDUP CAN LBJ RETAIN ITS DISTRICT CROWN? When it comes to prolonged excellence in central Texas basketbaJI, nothing matches the string of 21 consecutive district titles both outright and shared by LBJ. But the Jags' latest district rival-Dripping Springs - may be the biggest threat to snap that streak, especially after the Tigers beat LBJ 63-55 win at home Wednesday. Dripping Springs moved into District 25-5A during the UIL's biennial realignment last year and brought immediate bona fides; under coach Craig Swannack, the Tigers have qualified for three consecutive postseason berths and have beaten both Austin school district teams -Reagan in 2017 and Lanier in 2018 -they've faced in the playoffs. But don't count out the Jags yet Last season, they dropped their first district meeting with co-champ Lanier but won the rematch to claim a share of the district crown. BASTROP ON THE RISE: Veteran coach Robert Dodd recently won his 400th career game, this one coming in his third sea.son at Bastrop. Dodd has coached in more than 700 games and spent most of his career work ing in the Coastal Bend but now has the Bears in prime position to make a run at their first playoff appearance since 2014. Bastrop, 11-7 overall, has split its first two District 18-SA district games, including a 71-69 loss at Hutto, which is one of the district favorites. The Bears feature a bal anced attack led by Jadon Vann. Abe Solis and Ethan Rodela, who earned all-tournament honors at last week's Leander ISD Christmas Classic. HOW RANKED LOCAL TEAMS FARED WEDNESDAY: In Class GA. No. IO West!.-:? crushed District 25-GA rival Anderson 75-45. In other district action involving teams ranked by the Texas Association of Basketball coaches, No. 17 beat Hays 56-45.. .. LBJ entered the week ranked No. IO before the loss to Dripping Springs, and No. 21 connally had the week off after competing in the MT Rice tournament hosted by Waco Midway High School. ... Liberty Hill dropped to No. 16 in Class 4A after splitting four games in the prestigious Whataburger Classic in Tarrant County. ·- Blanco, No. 23 in the Class 3A poll, beat Devine 64-57 in nondistrict action Wednesday .... Thorndale, No. 19 in the latest Class 2A poll, did not play this week. OTHER NOTABLE SCORES: Red-hot Reagan held high-scoring McCallum forward Norman Boyd to a season-low 12 points in a 70-42 Raider win Wednesday.•.. In other District 25-5A action, ~ upset Lockhart 52-49. ... Vandegrift has won four of its past five games, including a 71-64 win over Westwood in a District 13-6A cofltest Wednesday. Junior forward Jake Hatch, who earned all-tournament honors at the Leander ISD Winter Classic. has led the recent surge. GAMES TO WATCH FRIDAY Dripping Springs at Lockhart, 1 p.m.: Two District 25-SA newcomers are both off to a strong start Wunber1ey at Liberty Hill, noon: Playoff hopefuls meet in intriguing non district matchup. SATURDAY West' • at Bowie, 6 p.m.: These two longtime rivals are tied atop the District 25-6A standings with 5-0 records, and Bowie's matchup zone will test Chap big man Will Baker. TUESDAY L T at Bowie, 8 p.m.: Back-to-back district tests give Bowie a chance to make statement Hendrickson at Round Rock, 7 p.m.: Surprising Round Rock atop District 13-GA standings but preseason favorite Hendrickson also unbeaten in district Thomas Jones PREP BASKETBAll BOYS BOWIE '5, LEHMAtj 5' .... 1,191515 -'5 ~ C22Ull - 5' lowio: R.Mdnlyn,4,0onalu!l4.Sd3, Bensca Ll. 'll)r\2. w.,!iix,r6, wt5lcy IS. Dun5l1De 9. 1-1L --4 (S.O). IAMlan: C.OCU6.W0nlaM>2.Harrts&Pmson 9, Jonts 9, Salilas 6. COlb ll. GcllUalct 2. 1-d: ll LO(H). AUSTIN HIGH 56, AKINS 50 Aldfts 11 7 14 II - 51 bslill lligll IJ II 1' 17 - 5' ADIi: SlmlD 3. Or1lz 16. Wllillcy I. MO...sif 10. Dtnll.-lO.Vorasti,gui2. - (M). 1 bslill Higll:Jonts u. Kd Hendrickson secures returned to district play with possession of first after a resounding 72-47 blowout win over Round Rock of Vista Ridge. By Chris Blls Player of the Week: Greg American-StateSll13D Brown 111, Vandegrift Correspondent The Vipers power forward returned to the hardwood in THE WEEK IN REVIEW style, dropping 40 points and grabbing 17 rebounds to help Team of the Week: Vandegrift (8-13, 1-5) earn Hendrickson its first dist rict win 71- 64 over Westwood. Brown, a The Hawks (16-5, 6-o 6-foot-7 junior, made 15 of District 13-6A) are the only 2 5 field goal attempts and had remaining unbeat en team three blocks and two steals. in the district after Round Healsohadanalley-oopdunk Rock (17-6, 5-1) suffered that found its way to No. 4 on its first loss on Saturday. the "You Got Mossed" count Hendrickson tested itself over down on ESPN's Sunday NFL the holiday break, going 2-2 Countdown. at the Allen In-N-Out Burger Holiday Invitational, with The rest of the district both of those losses coming against state-ranked oppo Cedar Ridge (16-8, 4-2) is nents in Fort Worth Brewer Hendrickson's Isaac Bullard, left, and his team enter the week alone atop the District l3·6A standings. and Rockwall. The Hawks See 6A, A8 £LOURDES M SHOAF FOR STATESMAN] 6A r'romPageA6 back in the thick of the district race thanks to a 21-point performance by Javuon Pitts in a 57-50 win over Round Rock .... After i.-uffering its second district loss to Leander, McNeil (4-2) bounced back with a 54-52 win over Stony Point (9-11, 2-4) .... Leander (4-3) followed up its win over the Mavs by beat Vandegrift Vipers forward Greg Brown Ill (1) looks to ing Westwood 76-54 on get past Lake Travis Cavaliers guard Bennett Mohn (21) Saturday.... Westwood during the first period at the boys varsity basketball (1-5) was coming off a game between the Lake Travis cavaliers and the championship perfor Vandegrift Vipers at Vandegrift High School on Jan. 19, mance at the Leander 2018. [JOHN GUTIERREZ / FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN) ISD Christmas Classic, where the team beat Lake the district go head Other games Highlands in the title to-head Jan. 8, with game and Patrick Sladek the Hawks trying to While Hendrickson gets was named most valuable remain unbeaten and Friday night off, Round player. The momentum the Dragons looking Rock travels to VtstaRidge. didn't carryover, though, to bounce back from ... Cedar Ridge heads to as Westwood bas now a tough loss to Cedar McNeil, with third place lost four straight league Ridge. Hendrickson is up for grabs on Jan. 8, games. led by Dylan Disu and then hosts Westwood. ... Isaac Bullard. Disu, After making a statement THE WEEK IN a 6-8 forward signed against the Warriors, PREVIEW with Vanderbilt, Brown and Vandegrift scored 51 points ear can make up ground with Game of the Week: lier this season against a pair of games, home Hendrickson at Round Leander. Round Rock against Leander and at Rock features Carter Ford, Stony Point. Ryan Ward and Will The Tigers travel to The top two teams in Issac. Westwood onJan. 8. HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL Atwood leads Bowie girls past Lak~ r ra\ i~ By Colby Gordon 11 -o run, including seven Ameriean .. statestnml points by Mohn, pad Conespoudt!.nt ding its lead to 45-25. The Cavaliers led by as The Hailey Atwood many as 33 points (69-36) show was in full effect for before Bowie outscored Bowie Tuesday. the visitors 25-13 in the Atwood, a senior fourth quarter to whittle shooting guard, poured the final margin under in 34 points in a dazzling 20 points. Junior Ethan performance to lead the Walker led the Bulldogs Bulldogs to a crucial with 11 points. 45-34 winntt..:...Turit. John Harris, AA-S High School nod stay one correspondent game back of first-place Westi..w in District Cedar Park girls win 25-6A. district showdown with There was little Atwood pf)ugerville: Cedar Park's didn't do to reach her Bowie guard Hailey Atwood, right, drives for the basket Nicole Leff scored 17 point total. Whether it past C" • ~ forward Jackie Ciffiers during the Bulldogs' points with 11 rebounds as was scoring in transition, 45-34 win over ~ on Tuesday. Atwood scon,d 34 the Timberwolves seized taldng a defender off the points in the win to hefli Bowie push its record to 15-8 on sole possession of first dribble, hitting open the $9$0n, (JOHN GUTIBIRfZ/fOR AMERICAN·STAffSMANI place in District 17-5A jump shots from both with a 53 - 44 win over inside and beyond the points, including an old during the Cavaliers' Pflugerville Tuesday at arc, hitting free throws fashioned tluee-point 75-57win. Pilugerville High School. or scoring down low, play, nod the Cavs never Bormann scored a Alisa Knight added 14 Atwood showed her a full pulled closer than eight game-high 25points, and points with 14 rebounds offensive array. the rest of the way. fellow seniors Bennett for Cedar Park, which Atwood scored all 13 of Shelby Devin hit three Mohn and Brett Baty dominated the glass. Bowie's points in the first 3-pointers and finished added 24 points and 11 Shelby Hayes chipped quarter as the Bulldogs with 11 points to pace points, respectively, as in 13 points for the (15-8, 8-1 District 25-6A) ,. \1>'1"'- s. t •,. "'t' , improved to Timberwolves. raced out to a 13-3 lead 23-3 overall and 5-2 in Cedar Park (22-3, 5-0 behind points off turn Bormann, La n--..;, boys District 25-6A. District 17-5A) entered overs from a 1-2-2 light up Bowie in district win: Bowie(l6-6, 5-2)com this week ranked No. 7 three-quarters-court The entire 1.- - .i.. mitted five turnovers in in the latest Texas Girls press and getting into boys' basketball team was the second quarter, con Coaches Association transition quickly out of feeling it Tuesday night in tributing to a 10-0 ,e Class 5A basketball poll. no aggressive 2 -3 zone. a Distriet25-6Amatchup ~ runanda23-11def pflugerville (18-10, 4 -1) Bowie led 28-15 after at Bowie High School, kit. A trio of3-pointers in isNo.17inthesamepolls. Carina Vockellhita three but senior guard Ryan the final two minutes of Pflugerville received a pointer to start the second Bonrumn was in a special thesecond period enabled gnme•high2opointsfrom half,butL ! ·".' ., :s (17-9, zoneofhisown. Toprove the Bulldogs to claw senior forward London 5-4) responded with an it, during one impressive back to within 29-23, Clarkson, and Kierra 11-1 run behind baskets sequence in the third but Bormann's buzzer King added 10 points for from five different play period, Bormann dribbled beater - giving him 16 the Panthers. Sheridan ers to pull within 29-26. behind his back, left his first-half points- made Bostic finished with seven Atwood then went back defender flat-footed with jt 34-25 at intermission. points. to work as she answered a quick step-back move r ... t.-. 1'~T" opened ButchHart,AA-S with seven straight and buried a 3-pointer the second half with a ccrrupondent District 25-6A boys basl By Colby Gordon showdown with the Bulldogs, recorded 28 point s and 18 West,.ik-' Amerlcan-Slalesman Westut...... now controls its rebounds against Bowie. Chaparrals correspondent own destiny to win the nine- head coach team district. The rest of the district Robert THE WEEK IN REVIEW Lucero Player of the Week: Will Baker, l 'I"- 1 (22-3, 4-z)took talks to Team of the Week: Westl.. kl? Westl.:.1te. care of business against both his players Hays (56-45) and Anderson during a The Chaps (21-3, 6-o While Baker, a senior who (66-52) to stay in the top win over District 25-6A) stayed in has signed to play at Texas three of the district stand- Anderson first place and undefeated in next year, could likely be in ings and rebound from losing last week. district play with wins over this spot every week, he had two district games in a row (JOHN Anderson (75-45) and pre- an exceptional two games as prior to Christmas .... Bowie GUTIERREZ/ viously undefeated Bowie he torched Anderson for 40 FOR AMERICAN (74-59). After taking t he points and 16 rebounds, then See DISTRICT, A7 -STATESMAN] fifth place .... Lehman title bunt and not fall fur- The Cavs face last-place DISTRICT (12-10, 3-4) stayed half a tber behind Wesli..l-:e. Del Akins(7-12, o-6) Jan. u to game behind the Maroons Valle will likely be coming finish out the first round rromPageA6 with a 68-44 win over off a win over Anderson of district play, and a win Akins (7-12, o-6), which (9-12, 1-5)Jan.8andwould over the Bulldogs would (12-5,5-1)toppedLehman is still looking for its first take a big step towards be a catalyst to going 6-2 65-56 Jan. 2 for its fifth district win. securing a playoff berth by during the first half of district win... . Del Valle goingz-o this week. the double round-robin (10-9, 4-2)droppedHays THE WEEK IN PREVIEW format . ... Austin High 72-65 in its only game of Other games hosts Lehman Jan. 8 in a the week to stay tied for Game of the Week: Bowie crucial matchup to stay third with L..lA FABFIVES Dripping Springs point guard Enzo Class6A Arnold, left, and 1. Westlake 22·3 Lockhart forward 2. Lake Travis 23-3 Devin Clark battle 3. Hendrickson 17-5 for the rebound 4. Round Rock 17-7 during Dripping 5. Bowie 13-6 Springs' win on Class SA Jan. 4. With wins 1. Cedar Park 18-4 over Lockhart and 2. Dripping Springs 16·4 McCallum,the 3. LBJ 11-5 Tigersmadean 4. Connally 15-7 appearance in the 5. Reagan 18-3 Texas Association Class 4A and others of Basketball 1. Liberty Hill 19-5 Coaches state poll 2. Taylor 19-3 for the first time this 3. Thorndale 16·6 season. [STEPHEN 4. Blanco 18-7 SPll.l.MAN/FOR 5. Regents 12·4 AMERICAN-STATESMANJ PLAYER OF THE WEEK Caldwell combined old Roberts. Connally, ranked power Pflugerville fell to school discipline with No. 21, had a bye Tuesday 7-19 overall and 1-3 in Dylan Disu, senior, plenty of compassion. after dispatching District district. ... Senior Jalen Hendrickson: In a show "He was the meanest, 17-5A foe Marble Falls Moseley had 15 points down for first place in the toughest, sweetest man! 70-36 last week ... In as Stony Point pulled District 13-6A race, the knew," he said. "He was Class 4A, Liberty Hill off a thrilling 55-54 win 6-foot-8-inchforward, a hard on us in practice, but dropped to No. 20 .... over Westwood in a key Vanderbilt signee, tallied you knew he cared about Taylor, who competes District 13-6A contest. 20 points and 20 rebounds you. He was a father in District 27-4A with The Tigers remain in to lead the Hawks to a figure to a lot of the guys." Liberty Hill, debuted in the thick of the playoff 53-36 win over Round The cause of death and the state poll at No. 25 chase with a 3-4 district Rock Tuesday. funeral arraignments after winning its seventh record, while Westwood were unknown as of press consecutive game, 67-31 dropped its fifth con AREA ROUNDUP time, but Raymond said over Llano last week. secutive district game. the Austin school district ... Thorndale, No. 19 in .... Georgetown stunned LEGENDARY McCALLUM will likely have to hold a the latest Class 2A poll, Hutto 54-53 for its first COACH DIES THURSDAY: memorial "somewhere defeated Mumford 54-39. District 18-5A win.... Legendary Mccallum big, like the Delco Center. OTHER NOTABLE SCORES: basketball coach Don He is so highly regarded Anderson kept its playoff GAMES TO WATCH Caldwell died Thursday, and so well-known hopes alive in District triggering waves of both throughout Austin and 25-6A with a 59-43 win FRIDAY mourning and fond Central Texas. Everyone over Del Valle. Point guard Dripping Springs at memories throughout will be there to pay their Max Smith had 24 points as Reagan, 8 p.m.: Dripping the Austin area. The respects. the Trojans moved within Springs has passed every dean of the Austin bas "With Coach Caldwell, one game of Del Valle for District 25-5A test so far, ketball scene, Caldwell it was never about the fourth place in the dis - but red-hot Reagan has led McCallum's basket wins or bow much of this trict .... Nijah Collier and just one loss - a one-point ball program from 1977 or that. With him, it was Cameron Jones combined setback to Lockhart - in to 2016 and guided the truly about the kids." for 37 points as Lehman itspast17 games. Knights to the 1992 state HOW RANKED LOCAL toppedAustinHigh65-56 Hutto at Manor, 8 p.m.: tournament. Mccallum TEAMS FARED TUESDAY: In in a key District 25-6A First-place Mustangs for officials recently named Class 6A, No. 10 Westlake game. WestlakeandLake real? Tough Hutto team the school's gym after won its seventh consecu- Travis appear to have a hopes to have an answer Caldwell. tive game with a 68-60 clampdown on the top in District 17-5A tilt. "It's a shock," said Todd victory over scrappy two spots in the district, TUESDAY Raymond, the athletic Akins. In other District and Bowie has just two Vandegrift at Cedar director for the Fflugerville 25-6A action involving district losses, but five Ridge, 7 p.m.: Blue school district as well as a teams ranked by the Texas teams - Lehman, Austin chipper Greg Brown III is Mccallum graduate and Association of Basketball High, Anderson, Del Valle back for Vandegrift, but former Knights' foot Coaches, No. 17 Lake and Hays - are within point guard Caleb Golden ball coach. "He was just a Travis beat Bowie 75-57. a game of each other in and the Raiders offer a phenomenal guy. Everyone ... In Class 5A, No. 16 the loss column. ... Stout stem challenge. loved him." Dripping Springs, making defense lifted Cedar Thomas Jones That feeling was shared its debut in the T ABC poll, Park to a 44-41 win over by his former players, beat Mccallum 46-35. Pflugerville in District Please send scores, sta including Matt Johnson, District 25-5A rival LBJ, 17-5A. TheTimberwolves tistics, information and who graduated from ranked No. 17, crushed remain tied with Connally player of the week nomi Mccallum in December Crockett behind 22 points atop the district stand nees to Thomas Jones at 1992. Johnson said from senior guard Roderick ings, while perennial [email protected]. Ronaldo Garcia returns for Austin High after earning district MVP honors as a sophomore. [RICAROOB. BAAZZIELL/ AMERICAN STATESMANJ BOYS 2010 SOCCER PREVIEW: TEAMS, PLAYERS TO WATCH 1. Liberty Hill, Class 4A, 18-6-2 record in 2018 Loaded Panthers, a state semifinalist last year, anchored by returning district MVP Jaron Frye and defensive stalwart Matthew Shipley. 2. Marble Falls, 5A, 17-10-1 Risingprogr3Illreached regional tournament for first time inschool history last season, and keeper Michael Vasquez is one of the best in Central Texas. 3. Dripping Springs, SA, 19-4-1 Striker Max Gonzalez leads a potent attack that averaged 4.4 goals per match last se.ason. 4. Connally, 5A, 17-3-4 Coach Ryan Ford has developed deep and talented program that has won 46 of past 68 matches. 5. Ptlugetvile, 5A, 10-7-7 Influx of young talent like sophomore forward Isaac Carrizales and a drop into 5AbasPanthers poised for filth playoff berth in coach Michael Nave's sixth season at the scb.ool. 6. Eastside Memorial, 4A, 19-4-1 Coach Joshua Zapata has tapped into campus' InternationalHigh School while developing pow erhouse that has gone 44-13-10 in last three years. 7. Lake Travis, 6A, 13-7-3 Cavs must replace key players from last year's regional-quarterfinalist squad, but Coach David Bammel has led team to four consecutive district titles. 8. Hendriclcson, 6A, 9-8-4 Senior-heavy lineup anchored by midfielder Rodrigo Areilano Jr. gives sturdy Hawk side look of a contender. 9. westwood, 6A, 1-11-s Squad fotlllld stride late last season and returns loads of talent like keeper Justin Lang for new coach Stefano Salemo, who turnedA&MConsolidated into state power. 10. Austin High, 6A, 14-11-1 Talent abounds for Maroons, a regional semifinalist last season in sA but is moving up into a 6A district with powers Lake Travis, Bowie and Westlake. Our Starting 11: A look at some of the top players in the Austin area Michael Vazquez, senior, goalkeeper, Marble Falls: Truce away a 6-o play off loss to powerhouse Valley View, and Vasquez never gave up more than two goals to any Class 5A team. Jorge Calderon, senior, defender, Hendrickson: Earned honorable men tion all-state honors last season from the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches after anchoring unit that allowed just 33 goals in 37 matches. Jack Elliott, senior, defender, westwood: Place kicker on football team will be a rock on the back row for Warriors. Jonathan Gutheridge, senior, defender, Lampasas: First- team, all-state selection in 2018 carries a heavy load for struggling Badgers' program. Lukas Kop[P el, senior, defender, Dripping Springs: Veteran does the dirty work in the back for a team known for its offen - sive prowess. Ro drigo Arellano Jr., senior, m idfielder, Hendrickson: Attacking midfielder one of area's top offensive threats whether shooting or find ing a teammate. Nikola Diordjevi c, sophomore, midfield, Westwood:TheAmerican Statesman's newcomer of the yearin 2018 started every match as a frosh except for senior night and tiedfor team-lhighhonors in scoring. Ronaldo Garcia, junior, midfielder, Austin High: District 25-5A offensive player of the year in 2018 scored 19 goals and added nine assists Jaron Rye, junior, forwanl, Li>erty Hid: District26-4A MVP last season had 31 goals with six assists for a regional finalist. Rene Aguirre, senior, forward, Elgin: Dynamic playmaker draws plenty ofattentionfromdefend ers but still finds back of net with regularity. Max Gonzales, junior, forward, Dripping Springs: Lead man in high-flying Tigers' attack. Thomas Jones Hendrickson midfielder Rodrigo Arelano Jr., right, anchors a talented Hawk side. (JAMIE~ AMERICAN-STAITSMANJ }\11sti11 }\mcrica11 -~tatc,1na11 - PRESENTS THE 2018- 2019 - ALL-CENTEX PREPS COACH OF THE NEWCOMER OF YEAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR JACOB THOMPSON THE YEAR GENEVIEVE PERRY ROUSE 11£ RAllERS HAD A IIIEAl1 TEAl1 IN 2017, WIEN AVE COIJ.£1E-tiOlNl SOPHOMORE. WESTLAKE SEJlD!S LED 11£ TEAN 1U A :.=.:.mt"l..1.1,_, NO. 1 RANKING AMI A SPOT STAllTUI DISTR1CT-QWFIJN CHAPS f'ROt1 FlRST AVERY KALSU A Fm 11£ THE IN 11£ STATE ~~IM.,_~..,~~illr-,';,11ATl>l THIS YEAA'S YOUTlflA. SQUAD 11AT!JI IF 11£ SUS1lN, 1HE 6-flJOT PEJ!Jll IIECN'£ THE RARE l1llll.E UCKED StDI 1 1 DEPTH. llJT IT STU KAil JUNIOR, DRIPPING SPRINGS IUICKER 1U EARN DEFENSIVE PUlDI IF THE YEAR HINll!S FROl1 WHO GUllED ROUS£ llllOUGH A BRUTAL MJNDISTRICT S0EIU..E - Wl£THER ~ THE t£T, ON 1HE BAD( ROW OR Dl!ECTlNG A POTDfT THE DISTRICT i5-GA COAD£S. SHE lJED AU. AREA a.ASS 6A SCIIJOlS ROUSE STARTED 1HE SEASON !HB - AtCl 1U A DISTRICT TTT1£ AND ATTACK, KA1.SU RARELY l£FT THE FUlDR FOR STATE-sEl'I~ IN ll.lDIS AND AVERA6Ell l10RE THM A KU PER SET. "llm TEAlt A SPOT IN THE FDllml R1lll'll DF 11£ PUYOFfS. "1l£ KIDS IN 11£ ORl'PK SAINiS. A SETTER IN a.ti! AMl ONCE SHE GIES OFF Will.I) NUT BE w,£R[ rr WAS nus YEAR WITHOOT IEI. At«) I AH Pl!ll6RAl1 HAYE HIGH EXP£CTATIOHS; 1£ SAil EARLY IN 11£ SEASON. 1U COl..l.E.1l£. THE l1A.SA PLDIGE LED 11£ TllERS IN ASSISlS AAll EXCITED 1U SEE 111W SI£ GRWIS AS A Pl.AYER 1HE IEXT TWO "WE'RE Nl1T aH:ERNED ABOUT HOW WE PERRIRl1 IN AUGUST; WE'RE RANKED SECOND ON 1llE TEAlt IN KlUS AtCl M:ES AND ADIE> S3 YEARS; wi-'" un COACH l1ARC UJOOJENTr SAil. WOlll!El A8llJT LATE AICl OCTOBER MDI IT IXUflS.• IILllCKS. AICl WHEN DRIPPING SPRINGS l£EIIEII A aJITCH KILL? "151£) CAN PUT A IIAI..L ON A DlltE FROf1 Pl't-TI)-pfj_• ORl'PNl SPRINGS IXIACH 11DlAO. KANE SAil. ALL-CENTEX GIRLS VOLLEYBALL THIRD TEAM SECOND TEAM KENZIE BECKHAM FIRST TEAM WESTWOOD,SOPHOMORE, SETTER SARAH NADING PUfflAKER AVERAGED 9.1 ASSISTS PER SET. SET A NEW SCllOOl. DRIPPING SPRINGS, JUNIOR, SETTER Ra:ORD FOR ASSISTS IN A MATCH WITH S6 AHO AllOED 209 KUS AUlHG Willi A TEAtttlliH 5S ACES. DELANY DILFER SKU.fD ADUNE CHRISTIAN Pl£DGE RARELY l£FT COIR'T AND VANDEGRIFT, JUNIOR, SETTER AVERA6ED 4.4 ASSISTS Wllll 60 ACES t4 6-2 RUTA11DN LAST SEASON'S NEIM:011ER OF THE YEAR, DILFER S£T A NEW SCIDL SHU-SEASON REI:ORD Willi 1,.360 ASSlS1S KRISTIN KLEYMEYER JADA BIRKEL LAKE TRAVIS, SENIOR. OUTSIDE HITTER WESTLAKE, SENIOR, OUTSIDE HITTER ATHL£TIC Arr..cKER. A BEADi Vl.LLt. 1 ""-LL SIG!'££ WTrn IEUSTlJN AVERY KALSU BAPTIST, Lm TEAl1 WITH 380 KIUS AND 3B ACES 60-Til TERl'IN,\TDR FOR i!5-GA CH~IDN CHAPS, 11£ l'1EK'tlS SIGNEE DRIPPING SPRINGS, JUNIOR. AVERA6ED :l.27 KILLS PER S£T WITH 89 BLOCKS OUTSIDE HITTER VERSATll DISTRICT 2S-5A KVP AVERAGED TWO KI.UI, &Z ASSISTS KYLEE BECKER AND !l4 DIGS PER SET Wllll S6 ACES SKYLAR WARDE HUTTO, SENIOR, OUTSIDE HlmR VISTA RIDGE, SENIOR. OUTSIDE HITTER THE HITTER OF 11£ YEAR t4 13-6A AVERAGED llliEE: KIU.S A SET AND GRAYSON SCHIRPIK 337 DIGS Fill! PUYOFF OUALIAER ROUSE, JUNIOR, OUTSIDE HITTER lllSTRl:T 11-SKS l1VP AVERAGED 3.4 KUS AND 5.3 DIGS PER SET RILEY KRENEK Willi 60 ACES Arll al BLOCKS JAELYN GRIMM THRALL, JUNIOR, MIDDLE BLOCKER CEDAR PARK, JUNIOR, MIDDLE BLOCKER 1llE AU-sTATI: Bux:KER AND IITTER, 2S-2A"'S KVP, AVERAGED 112 CADI BOYER THE 6-1 m.oa GIRIS 1.u:::i·:A,~s 44, LEANDER 29 ~ 11Ult4-44 i..,. ,,11, - Z!J i.:;; .'l: - 12. I\Jdls 111. S. llowl 1, Judlrn6.B.DcmS.Gitlbails4. ..l.Mldll: 1Cfttid Lake Travis outside hitter Kristen Kleymeyer (5) was named to the all-CenTex volleybaD team. (JOHN GUTIERREZ / FOR STATESMAN] 2018 All Central Texas Volleyball Team Dy Thomas Jones assists and ranked second on first match of the season, COACH OF THE YEAR ljones@stalesm:111.eom the team in kills and aces and the 6 -foot Perry became added 53 blocks. And when the rare middle blocker to Jacob Thompson, Rouse Dripping Springs needed a earn defensive player of The Raiders had a dream PLAYER OF THE YEAR clutch kill? "(She) can put a the year honors from the team in 2017, when five col ball on a dime from pin-to District 25-6A coaches. She lege-bound seniors led the Avery Kalsu, junior, Dripping pin," Dripping Springs coach led all area Class 6A schools team to a season-long No. 1 Springs Michael Kane said. in blocks and averaged more ranking and a spot in the state Whether at the net, on than a kill per set. "Our team championship match. This the back row or directing a NEWCOMER OF THE would not be where it was year's youthful squad lacked potent attack, Kalsu rarely YEAR this year without her, and such star-studded depth, left the floor for state-semi I am excited to see how she but it still had Thompson, finalist Dripping Springs. Genevieve Perry, sophomore, grows as a player the next who guided Rouse through a A setter in club and once Westlake two years," Westlake coach brutal nondistrict schedule she goes off to college, the A st arter for the district Marci Laracuente said. Tulsa pledge led the Tigers in champion Chaps from the SeeTEAM, A7 TEAM FromPageA6 - Rouse started the season 9-18 - and to a district title and a spot in the fourth roundoftheplayoffs. ''The kids in the program have high expectations," he said early in tb.e season. "We're not concerned about how we perform in August; we're worried about late September and October when it counts." Round Rock libero Joley Plummer earned a spot on the American-Statesman's an-cenTex volleyball team. IHENRY FIRST TEAM HUEY fOR AMERICAN-STATESMANJ Setter: Delaney Dilfer, Drippw,g Springs, junior Setter: Kenzie Beckham, Vandegrift, junior Skilled Abilene Christian Westwood, sophomore Lo.st season's newcomer pledge rarely left court and Playmaker averaged 9 .1 of the year, Oilier set a averaged 4.4 assists with assists per set, set a new newschool single-season 60 aces in 6 -2 rotation school record for assists in record with 1,360 assists Out sid e Hitter: Jada a match with 56 and added Outside Hitter: Avery Blrkel, westtalle, senior 209 killsaloogwitha team Kalsu, Dripping Springs, Go-to terminator for high 55 aces. junior 25-6A champion Chaps, Outside Hitter: Kristin Versatile District 25-5A the Memphis signee aver Kleymeyer, Lake ll"aVis. senior MVP averaged two kills, aged 3.27 kill.s per set with Athletic attacker, a beach 6.2 assist s and 9.4 digs 89 blocks volleyball signee with per set with 56 aces Outside Hitter: Skylar Houston Baptist, led terun outside Hitter. Grayson warc1e, Vista Ridge, senior witb38okills and38aces SChhl>lk, Rouse, junior The bitter of the year in Outside Hitter: Kylee District 17-5A's MVP 13-6A averaged three kills Bedrer, Hutto, senior averaged 3.4 kills and 5.3 a set and collected 337 digs The proven terminator digs per set with 60 aces for playoff qualifier averaged team-high 3.9 and 28 blocks Middle Blocker: Jaelyn kills and 3. 7 digs a set. Middle Blocker: cadi Boyer, Gmun, Cedar Paril, jlSlior Middle Blocker: Riley Hutto, senior The 6-1 blocker aver Krenek, Thrall, junior The 6 - 4 Texas Tech aged a terun- higll 2.9 kills Theall-state blocker and signee helped Hippos win andranked second onterun bitter, 25-lA's MVP, aver District 18 -5Aafter collect - with 59 total bloclcs aged 11 .2 kills per match ing 159 kills ruid 69 blocks Middle Blocker: Hannah ruid also delivered 78 aces Middle Blocker: Annie Miler, Gateway Prep, junior and 42 blocks. stadthaus, Vandegrift, senior Versatile attacker for M i ddle Bl ocker: District 13-6A's MVP had playoff qualifier led team Genevieve Perry, Westlake, 527 kills, 124 blocks while with 3.9 kills per set and sophomore setting school record with added 77 blocks, 69 aces, The leader among area a .343 hitting percentage 376 digs 6A players with 170 blocks Libero: Reilly Heinrich, Libero: Joley Plummer, also averaged 1.13 kills a set Rouse, Junior Round Rock, sq,homore with3oaces The Texas pledge and Ball-hawking youngster Libero: Madi Burkholz, 17-5AdefensiveMVPaver earned 13-<:,A defensive Dripping Springs, senior aged 6.5 digs per set and MVP after averaging 4.3 Arizona State signee had 57 assists among stel digs per set and providing earned 25-5A defensive lar passing stellar passing MVP honors while aver utiity: Ryann Torres, Hays, Utility: Risa Olson, aging 4.1 digs per set and junior wa1c1ort, junior firing 50 aces Versatile Texas St ate District MVP for T APPS Utility: Abbe Rougeou, pledge had 1,.160 assists state finalist led terun with Lodclwt, senior and316digsandadded190 3. 6 kills per set and 4 3 Four-year letterwinner kills, 67 aces and 32 blocks blocks and added 268 digs, helped Lions to fin.1 play 86aces off berth since 2004 with SECOND TEAM 2.2 kills and 5.2 assists per THIRD TEAM set along with 83 aces and Setter: Sarah Nading, 256digs. HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL: FAB FIVES. ROUNDUP. PLAYER OF THE WEEK FABFIVES Falls S2 • J2 as Jayfln ~ter and Whfyah Fowler scored Closs6A u points each while ZahrA I. HendriekSOn, 28· l Cross added aine points 2. Westl.,;,o, 19-7 for t he Cougars, who are 3. Vista Rtdgo. 17·9 in fourth place in dis 4. Bowie, 1◄·8 trict play, with the top 5. Austin, 18-7 four making the playoffs. ctassSA Pflugerville raced past I. Crockett. 22·3 Weiss 61 -1-1 as London 2. Cedar Part<. 21-3 Clarkson scored 17 points J. Pnugervillc, 17·9 v.1th Destiny Mage• adding 4. Georgetown. 14·10 nine points. Kaliyalt Phimps 5. East View, 14·10 scored eight points and Clan 4A and others Sheridan Bostic added I. Lampasas. 22-3 seven points for the 2. Lago Vista. 13-5 Panthers. 3. Hyde Park. 14-3 •our defense led the 4. Liberty H,11.8-15 way the. entire game, 5. Round Rock Christian. 12·3 and it was a great team effort,"' Panthers coach AREA ROUNDUP April Hundl sald. Mikayla WOOds led nationaly ,.,.ed Hfndrid Preseason Power Poll: The American-Statesman's Top 10 girls soccer teams 1. Round Rock, Class 6A, 19-3·3 in 2018 Regional finalist lost to eventual state cham - pion Houston Memorial, returns 14 letter-winners. 2. Vandegrift, 6.A, 12-5-4 Strong program and a new coach bad impres sive debut last weekend at Dallas tournament. 3. Pflu11erviUe, SA, 14-9-2 A vastly improved 6A team in 2018, Panthers a drop down t o 5A and r etur n of standout MaKenzie Harvey to make them playoff threat. 4- Westwood, 6A, 13-4-4 Head coach Malcolm Framjee is 6-o in first round of playoffs and Warriors once again boast a stellar midfield. S. Liberty Hil~ 4.A, 27-3·0 State semifinalists had 23 shutouts in 2018 and return a team that should make a repeat run. 6. Lake lr.lvis,. 6A, 14-8-4- Extremely strong fun damentals with a lot of Above: Leah team speed make Cavaliers Martinez a t eamt o watch in District anchors the 25-6A. midfield for 7. Rouse, SA, 19-3· 1 Westwood. Solid defense, veteran core return for Raiders in a Left: Brooke very tough District 17-5A. Briscoe, the 8. Hendrickson, GA, 14-5-4 American• St ate titlist from 2017 Statesman's boast talent, dept h player of the throughout program. year in 2018, 9. westlake, 6A, 12•4•5 returns for Chaps bypassed pre a talented season matches for a team Liberty Hill retreat and open district side. Jan. n . 10. Cedar Park, SA, 17-&3 [HENRY HUEY Traditional power bas PHOTOS/FOR two strong district foes AMERICAN but has made three state STATESMANJ tournaments. Our Starting 11: A look at some of the top players in the Austin area Lauren Traywick, goal• keeper, senior, Round Rock: All -state quality keeper senior, Rouse: Defensive Maroons to school-record Emily Stuc key, for• for veteran team, Traywick stalwart fora 2018 regional nwins. ward, senior, Georgetown: a leader in goal. quarterfinalist Raiders Leah Martinez, midfield, Team captain possesses Kenzie Arrington, defender, team that allowed only 14 senior, Westwood: Team tremendous pace and senior, Hendrickson : goals against in 23 matches. captain for the Warriors exceptional foot skills Seasoned defender who Brooke Briscoe, midfield, directs well-oiled midfield. for district co-favorite started for 2017 state senior, Liberty Hill: The Sofia Picucci, midfield, Eagles. champions led a defense American-Statesman's sophomore. Dripping Springs: MaKenzie Harvey, for• that allowed 12 goals in 23 2018 player of the year As a dynamic freshman, ward, senior, PflugervilJe: matches last season. scored 40 goals with 39 speedster led regional Started on state champion Kyla Boliek, defender, assists last season while quarterfinalistTigers with Hendrickson as a sopho senior, Liberty Hill: Primary leading the Panthers to the 19 goals and 14 assists. more - sat out last year to defender for a state semi state tournament. Haley Shaw, forward, finish career playing for finalist Panther team that Mia Czarnecki, mid• junior, Lake Travis: Speedster dad/coach Mike Harvey notched 23 shutouts last field, senior, Austin High: scored 22 goals with eight at Pflugerville. season while allowing only Czarnecki led District assists for regional finalists seven goals in 30 matches. 25-5A with 45 goals and and leads a strong core for Butch Hart, AA-S Delaney carret~ defender, added 25 assists to lead 2019. correspondent CAVALETTES OF THE WEEK The cavalette Squad of the Week for Dec. 15 was Victoria's Squad. At front is Sr. Lt. Victoria Mata. In the second row are social officer sarab Kalina, left, and Ka:y1a Holst. In the back row, from left to right, are cadence Housmans, Jaden Houson, Claire Thessen and Rain Olsner. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS) The Director's Choice The Cavalette of the Week is Performer of the Week is The Spirit Cavalette of the Halle Hagarty. Kendall Harvey. Week is Abigail Riquelme. Shedding stlginaof lllental illness High school seniors put together project to educate students By Luz Moreno-Lozano [email protected] L..M.. ~ .area commu nity members have committed to tackling mental health by equipping the public with tools and resources about how to help someone who is strug gling from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Local therapist Sarah Cortez said that every day, 3,000 minors attempt suicide in the country and four out of five of them showed clear warning signs. Out of those 3,000, she said, 20 percent sought mental health care. Suicide is the. second-lead ing cause of de.a th for people between the ages and 10 and 24, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Taking feaI away about mental health or just talk ing about mental health empowers someone to notice someone who may have sui cidal thoughts." Cortez said. "And the more education you have, the more you feel empowered." A new nonprofit in the area, Tune Into Life, is just getting on its feet, but, founder and Executive Director Kathleen Hassenfratz, said the group's two main goals are to provide parents and the commu - nity with tools to better See. STIGMA, AJ Local therapist Sarah Cortez speaks with students about suicide prevention and mental health during a Positivity Project presentation Dec. 7. (LUZ MORENO LOZANO/ VIEWJ STIGMA FromPageAl understand mental health and the struggles kids deal with daily, and to get kids more involved. Hassenfratz said suicide is not stereotypical to one type of child. While there is no one answer, she said, a lot of time kids feel disconnected or face a lot of pressure when it comes to education and social media. Cortez cited hearing similar things from some of her clients. "What we're seeing is more stress and anxiety," Cortez said. "And what is causing this? There are bigger expecta tions now because the world is expanding, so there is pressure to succeed. Socialmedia-there is a lot of pressure there. For a lot of people social media is every thing. It can be exhilarating and it can be the worst thing and it can cause anxiety and stress." Hassenfratz said her goal is to create a place where kids can come to decompress, talk and learn how to help others and themselves. The orga nization hosts monthly open community meetings where local professionals are avail able to talk. Meeting locations in the I • "" ~ area vary monthly. As the organization More Information stranger, or what counseling and therapy defines as. For more infonnation on Tune "That is why we wanted it Into Life, visit tuneintolife.org. to be student-led," Perlman said. "So there is a medium area. Maybe students will feel continues to grow, more comfortable ifits run by Hassenfratz said her next step someone that goes to their is reachingmore high school school." students. Cort ez said just reaching ·, High seniors out in that moment can make Mia Perlman and Tiffany a difference. By knowing that Sun are working on just that. one person cares can snap The two have put together a someone who is suicidal out class, the Positivity Project, of that state of mind. She said that educates students about learning what to say and bow mental health and recogniz to react in that moment can go ing symptoms of depression, along way. anxiety and suicide. "One of the most interesting The two have put together things is it's not always what community presentations you say, but just being there where local therapists and for the person," Perlman said. counselors talk with guests "lt'soneofthoseactionsspeak about mental health. Topics louder than words things." ranged from suicide preven While Perlman and Sun tion to stress and anxiety to will graduate in May, they depression. hope that someone will con "We had a few friends that tinue to carry out their project did commit suicide and we and perhaps expand on it. dido 't think there was enough Hassenfratz shared a similar awareness in our school about sentiment, adding that her how we as students can help, goal is create a center that is and awareness in general that welcoming to all. this is a problem that we have "I envision a community within our school," Sun said. center with pool tables and Perlman said the hope is that a place where they can bang talking about mental health out and play ping pong," and educating students about Hassenfratz said. "The idea the issue will also break the is to equip parents with stigma of not seeking help resources and tools to recog through counselors or thera- nize signs of mental health, pists. Sun said some people and then also equipping mightnotbeopentoitbecause students and children with they are afraid of talking to a similar resources." District approves school calendar Last-minute amendments designate five-day weekend for students In February By Luz Moreno-Lozano [email protected] The .....:. -=---...1 school district's 2019-2020 instruc tional calendar was approved during a board meeting Dec. 19, with a change made to preserve a five-day holiday in February. While the calendar was almost identical to the current year's calendar, one pro posed change that seemed to rattle the community was the Presidents' Day holiday, Feb. 17. In November, district staff recommended a calendar that required students and teach ers to attend school Monday, Feb. 171 after students have the day off Feb. 13-14 while teachers have staff develop ment days. Over the past five years, the district has traditionally made Feb. 17 a student holi day, giving families a five-day weekend. Board President Kim Flasch said that when parents beard in November the Feb. 17 hol iday was going to be taken away, they were not pleased. "I have bad a lot of people come up to me about the Feb. 17 day and say 'are you SeeDISTRICT, A5 DISTRICT FromPageAl all crazy."' Flasch said. "The only reason is our commu - nity is now used to a five-day weekend in February and my concern is if we don't have that day, we're not going to have kids in school." The Lake Travis school board approved its instructional calendar Board members asked if it Dec. 19 with a last-minute amendment to include Feb. 17 as a would be an option to switch student holiday. [LUZ MORENO-LOZANCVLAKE TRAVIS VIEWJ out another holiday so students haveFeb.17off.Onesuggestion Board Member William Beard later reopening the meeting to on the dais was swapping out felt that eliminating the Jan. 6 the public, Burbank presented the Jan. 6 holiday for Feb. 17. holiday was unfair to teachers an amended calendar showing Flasch said most parents have to and "robs" them of their vaca Feb.17 as a bad weather dayand work Jan. 6, so resuming classes tion if they are grading and staffdevelopment day. that day could be helpful. planning over the two-week "We looked at the minutes to But Kathy Burbank, director winter break. make sure this didn't have any ofaccountability and achieve "We're here to educate kids implicatious for students or ment for the district, said Jan. 6 and not send people on vaca staff and then we looked at every is used by teachers to catch up tion," Beard said. "The point possiblescenario ofbad weather ongrading and to prepare for the ofthis calendar is to serve kids and how that would affect stu upcoming semester. andthewaytodothatistomake dents and staff," Burbank said. "It would be a little harder on sure teachers get their job done She said ifthe district cancels our staff not having that time, on that Jan. 6day." school for bad weather twice but it could be done," Burbank Undecided on whether or not before April 10, students will said. "Teachers would have to to approve the calendar or delay have to make up school April use time during the (winter) thevoteuntilJanuary, the board 10,GoodFriday. "l amcomfort break or maybe adjust test postponed the item for a vote able with this and I think your ing earlier so they can do that until after the board's execu teachers will appreciate it that grading before the break, so that tivesession, giving Burbank and youconsidered them," Burbank would justbe consideration that other district staff a chance to said. "I thinkitdefinitelymeets wouldmainlyaffectthestaff." re-evaluate the calendar. After theneed." School district experiencing bus driver shortage Pay rate Is among the highest In the area, officials say By Luz Morcao-UY.t.ano [email protected] TheLakeTravisschooldis trict is short 17 bus drivers, a number district officials said they have never dipped to before. "It's a challenge having to attract and retain bus driv ers," said Rhonda Davis, director of transportation. "This is the highest that its The Lake Ttavis School District is short 17 bus drivers and is been of no bus drivers." accepting applications to fill the positions. (RICARDO B. BRAZZJELL / Davis said the district pays AMERICAN•STATESMIANJ one of the highest rates in the area at $18.27 an hour. Due to the shortage, Davis riding the bus) increases every She said the driver works six said the Transportation year," Davis said. "Traffic hours a day, Monday through Department has had to think along (RM) 620 and (Texas) Friday, and also get holidays outside the box to be as effi - 71 is not getting better, and off. The job is also eligible for cient as possible. lots of parents opt to have benefits. She said all of her office their children take the bus. "One thing about this is staff and mechanics are driv The school bus is the safest they only work when school ing buses. mode of transportation and is in session, so it's great for "It's hard because my office is the best way to get kids to moms or dads that want to staff and mechanics have and from school." have the same schedule as eight-hour day regular jobs, The district has more than their kids," Davis said. and now they're spending 100 buses in its fleet equipped Those interested in the job an additional si:x hours a day with air conditioning, dash do not need any experience, driving." cams and seat belts with about Davis said. She said the dis As of Oct. 31, the district's 75 routes throughout the dis trict helps train drivers and official enrollment is 10,697 trict's boundaries. also helps applicants obtain a students. Davis said the dis Applications can be sub commercial driver's license. trict is at about 51 percent mitted online. Anyone with Employees are paid while they ridership. questions about the job can train. "(The number of students call 512-533-6070. Businesses, groups join forces to better serve elderly Organization to around the house, help file them because they used to that support the needs of provide resources, tax paperwork or provide mow their own yard, change seniors. It provides services education seminars to medical services they trust. their own light bulb and now within the · · school the community Cyndi Cummings, presi they have strangers come district boundaries, includ dent of~-:... .., Senior into their home to get that ingBee Cave, Spicewoodand By Luz Moreno-Lozano Services, describes it as the work done and they don't way. lmoreno- [email protected] fear of loss. like it," Cummings said. Cummings said the goal "(Seniors) have to trust a ~ ...,.,_.,. . Senior is to be a resource for aging For some seniorresidents, lot of people to get the things Services is an organization adults, as well as local it can be difficult to find done around their house, and that collaborates with local someone to perform chores that's very frustrating to businesses and nonprofits SeeELOERLY, A3 seniors, thefr families at pictures of (the busi ELDERLY and local businesses and ness') facilities and give groups that are looking them ideas on how to FromPageAl to better serve the senior make it more senior community. friendly. We want to Cummings said topics work together to make businesses and nonprof can range from probate, our businesses more its that cater to seniors. to staying in a home aging adult friendly." "We hope to be a longer to information Seminar series start in kind of clearing house on other services avail February at the Lakeway of information for able. The organization Activity Center, Lake Travis seniors," will also provide aware Cummings said. The Cummings said. ness training to ensure group is also looking to "(Seniors) can go to our an environment is senior collaborate and add more website and find out any friendly. resources in business, information they need "As part of the whole finance, insurance, legal, for services or resources awareness training, we home services, housing, and these (businesses or will be reviewing mar medical, and nonprofits organizations)bavebeen keting materials to help that provide services to vetted and are a trusted our businesses provide seniors. source." better materials for aging Current business The organization, adults that might include members, access to which has applied for a increasing the font or available resources nonprofit status, also changing the background and bow to become a hopes to host educa color," Cummings said. member can be found at tional seminars for "We will also be looking LTSeniorServices. org. Officials: Build a bridge on Great Divide Homestead residents to ensure safety. open up the area to more traf Residents express concerns with In 2017, Travis County fic and development, ruining living in the look and change to their voters approved a $185 mil the rural, residential ambi Homestead neighborhood lion bond that included funds ance of the neighborhood. neighborhood to improve drainage and In a November interview on Great By Luz Moreno-Lozano stream crossings. Building a with the View, Precinct Divide Drive lmoreno-lozano@slatesm:m.com bridge to improve the low 3 Commissioner Geral d are divided water crossing on Great Daugherty, who repre on whether to Although residents of the Divide Drive at Little Barton sents the area, said county build a bridge Homestead neighborhood Creek would help solve the engineers evaluated all the over Little remain divided on whether flooding issues the area faces low-water crossings in the Barton Creek. or not a bridge should be built during rain events, officials area. [LUZ MORENO- over Little Barton Creek on said. Residents who oppose Stacey Scheffel, the LOZANO/LAKE Great Divide Drive, some offi the bridge say changing the TRAVIS VIEW) cials say a bridge is necessary crossing into a bridge would See BRIDGE, A2 neighborhood," said Rhonda dollars of taxpayer money to BRIDGE Davis, director of transpor· build a bridge, talion for the district. She ltlt's disheartening lo me Fl'omPogeAI said when that happens, par that the county is willing to ents have to go to the school spend more than $4 million county's floodplain admin to pick up their children, for a low-water crossing istrator, said that due to •we are not going to go when the money could be the number of homes in the through barricades,• Davis allocated for other projects neighborhood and its acces said. "We had a parent get in the county that is much sibility only through Great upset with us because the better served," Lowman Divide Drive, the low-water water was down but the said. crossing is high on the coun barricade was still up, We But Scheffel said motor ty's priority list. are not going to go around ists will not see much of a TT .., t County placed the (the barricades).• change witb a new bridge. project in the bond package The bus picks up about "If you 're driving down totaling about $5 million, 74 students from the the road all you will see on Daugherty said that cross Homestead area who attend the surface is road," she ing has closed about 17 times the elementary, middle said. "You're not going to since 2009, about 1.7timesa school and b igb school see a big difference. It may year. Scheffel said the road's campus,es. have some guardrail and a closure, even ifit's just a few Resident James Cooke, sidewalk going across the times • year, affects safety, who has Jived in the neigh creek so it may look a little school bus routes and other borhood since 2015 with his different but most of the daily tasks, wife and children, said they change is underneath." 1'Tbese roads are public have been caught behind the The project is scheduled roads so it's not just for crossing and for them that is for construction during the residents," Scheffel a safety concern. the 2021 - 22 budget year, said. "1t1 s mainly used by "My wife was a high-risk Daugherty said. residents but also delivery pregnancy at the time of Daugherty said he plans drivers, mail carriers and this, so I run a strong advo to send oul a questionnaire bus drivers," cate for the bridge," Cooke to residents early next year Bee Cave Police Chief said. "Great Divide Drive is that will include informa Gary Miller said that as a the only way in and out of tion about what the bridge neighborhood with only the Homestead. Every time would look like and then one access point, it's impor there Is flooding of tbelow survey residents on their tant to make sure that point water crossing, the Bee Cave opinion of a bridge. He is is not subject to frequent police are tasked to put up hoping to receive feedback floods or includes a low barriers each time." from about 75 percent of water crossing. BeeCaveCouncilMember the neighborhood. If most "Even though its not Marie l,owman said her big of the respondents say they underwater all that often, gest worry is about bow a don't want a bridge, he and when it is generally new bridge would change the said he will suggest to the within a few hours the look of the are,i, especially Commissioners Court not water recedes, there is still for those living close to the to issue the debt, saving the chance public safety bridge. She said her neigh taxpayer money. wouldn't be able to access bors have spoken with her County fudge Sarah the subdivision when we about the bridge, expressing Eckhardt said while no need to." the same concerns. single commissioner has Ltl;e Ti.....S school dis The bridge is projected the ability to remove a trict officials said that to measure 540 feet long, project from the county's when the low-water cross according to a rendering infrastructure plan, she ing floods, there have been from T;. County. said she remains open lo times that bus drivers were "The proposal of what the possibility- "although not been able to go into the it will look like and what it low in probability• - that Homestead to pick up or could do to thcir homes, that the survey will bring new drop off students. is probably the biggest thing information. "li it rains later on in the that I struggle with right uu new informa day or afternoon, t here now," Lowman said. She tion comes available that have been occasions where added that while she under changes the priorities of we have to call parents stands it could make the area the court, the change must Jelling them know that safer, she said she was not come from a majority vote they could not get into the sure it was worth millions of of the court," Eckhardt said. Passing school finance reforms should be lawmakers' priority By Brian Cassidy prepared high school gradu their facilities. Some locally ates can more easily nfford have seen school property ast month the Texas post-secondary certification taxes grow by150 percent Commission on Public and credentinling. over the last five years, LSchool Finance made a Here is how Ce11tral Texas straining their ability to set ofrecommendations to taxpayers might benefit afford to stay io business and the Legislature thot should from school finmce reform: compete with internet-based provide hope to Centrnl Commission recom employers. Worse still, their Texas families, students, mendations call for the local public schools don't taxpayers and businesses. Legislature to reduce the receive this property tax While the recommendotions state's reliance om local revenue to improve student arc not de.signed to solve all school property !;axe.,. performance. FoUowing p roblems or m'1ke all interest Owners of the average the commission's recom· groups happy, they reOect valued borne in tbe Austin meodatioos should mean broad agreement among our Independent School District sJowing or reducing runaway statewide elected leaders, have seen school ;property local school property taices educators and businesses. lrutes rise by approximately 30d allowing us lo invest The commission recom $1,300 over the last five to increase the preparation mends redesigoiog the years, with nearly all of those levels of our high school state's school fundiog higher taxes going directly groduates. system to better prepare to the state in "Robin Hood" The bottom line is that the students for our economy. payments. Taxpayers from governor, Legislature and With well over hnlf of Austin, Ennes, J...;.JT.n.· .., Texos business and edu Austin-area open jobs Del Valle, Manor, Round cation communities have requiring at least an associ Rock, Leanderandother an historic opportunity to ate degree, post-secondary districts in the region cur make major improvements readioess is a major focus. rently export $820 million in to our local school property Readiness begins at an early property tax revenues - by tax rates, the life outcomes age so we axe encouxaged far the biggest do:oor of any for our youog students and by the recommendations to region in the state. the competitiveness of our ensure a far larger percent The commission left employers. age of our youog people start an appropriate hole in its With politicnl and policy kindergarten ready to learn. legislotive recommenda stars aligning, the business The commission also tions: how much additional community will enthusiasti embraced readiness for col state revenue to invest in cally support our lawmakers lege, career, and military public education to offset who make passing reforms• service. Readiness rates those Robin Hood payments. priority. for these post-high school That number will determine While we recognize policy endeavors should receive whether your property lUJ< details llllltter, we should not significant additional atten increases will just slow or allow this moment to pass. tion by school districts if will actually go down. But The business community, they are rewarded with while there are mnny details educators and committed $5,380 for each low-income to work out, it is encourag advocates should be a con and $2,000 for each non ing the Legislature will work structive part of this process. low-income student who on lowering state reliance No one group will get all of meets that mark, should oo ever- increasing regional what they want, but we can the Legislature enact those school property tax rev all agree oo two thing..: our recommendations. These enues. That relief will help kids deserve a better edu results- based incentives us address our affordability cation system and Centrnl should lead to improved per challenges. Texas taxpayers deserve fonnance and outcomes. Employers, those who relief from the Robin Hood The commission 31so provide vitally important system ofschool finance. makes an exceJlent rec jobs to our re.sidents, will ommendation that the nlso benefit . Employers have Cassidy is the 2019 chair Legislature explore 'last no limit to 4Illluall school ofthe Greater Austin dollar scholarships' so newly property tax increases on Chamber ofCommerce. Bee Cave Middle School is about 60% complete Attendance zones to construction, said the be determined frame, tilt wall panels and In the spring roof are complete. Crews are still putting finishes on By Luz Moreno-Lozano the wall board and tile and hnoreno-lozano@slate~man.com have begun painting. He said there have not been any One year into construc major delays or problems, tion, -4 -·~ .:;' Bee Cave even with the recent rains. Middle School is about 60 Construction is expected percent complete, district to be completed in May and officials said, with work be move-in ready by June. The two-story, 240,000-square-foot Bee Cave Middle School will still being done to enclose Winovitchsaid crews have feature outdoor learning and gathering space and multipurpose the structure. also started grading the breakout areas for collaboration. An estimated 1,200 students Robert Winovitch, will be housed at the new campus. [COURTESY ... _ .. SCHOOL director of facilities and See SCHOOL, A2 DISTRICT) was part of the district's School, according to district community members and SCHOOL $253 million bond pro officials. The new campus is senior staff, will be selected gram approved by voters in designed to accommodate to help make this decision. FromPageAl November 2017. about 1,200 students. The process will begin The 2401 000-square-foot Attendance zones have not with a demographer who athletic field and are work campus will accommodate been determined yet, offi will provide an update on ing through the permitting 1,200 students in two-story, cials said, but will decided the district's population in process for the artificial turf grade-level wings, featur in the next few months. January, which will set the surface. All the parking lots, ing outdoor science and art "With the opening of the tone for the committee's driveways and bus loop are areas, an outdoor gather new middle school, we will work, Alvarado said. also being graded out. ing space, natural light and have to draw new boundar Through an online "We're get ting things multipurpose breakout areas ies," said Marco Alvarado, platform cal l ed dried in so they can finish that allow for flexibility and the school district's com Thoughtexchange, members interior work," Winovitch collaboration. munications director. "With of the community will be able said. "We are pretty close Winovi tch said the Elementary 7 opening in the to provide feedback on the to being completely dried in campus should alleviate the fall of 2020, we're going to proposed attendance zones now. The last part of the tilt overcrowding at Lake Travis look at (boundaries) for both as well as speak out during a wall panels was the library Middle School. the middle and elementary school board meeting. and fine arts wing." The middle school houses schools this spring." Alvarado said once deter The $76.2 million facility, 1,546 students with another An attendance zone com - mined, the new boundaries off Texas 71 and Vail Divide, 1,137 at Hudson Bend Middle mittee, made up of parents, will take effect in the fall. CENTRAL TEXAS STATE SENATORS DISTRICT 24 Dawn Buckingham, R-L Nay First session: 2017 Age: 50 Occupation: Eye surgeon Of note: Buckingham was the first Republican from ~ _ ., county elected to the Texas Senate and the first woman elected to repre sent senate District 24. She is a former trustee on the I-- school board and was chairwoman of the Republican Party of Texas Victory Campaign for the 2018 elections. Highland Parl{ tal{es third straight state title By J\-tikc Craven [email protected]:m.eom ARLINGTON Highland Park cruised to its third consecutive Class 5A Division I title Saturday morning at AT&T Stadfam with a 27-17 victory over Alvin Shadow Creek in a clash of histories. Highland Park was in its 10th state title game - itsfirstwasin1944. This was Shadow Creek's first varsity season. Both teams entered the contest 15-0. Highland Park nearly returned the opening kickoff before capitalizing on great field position when Chandler Morris found Bennett Brown for an 8-yard touchdown. Morris, the son of Arkansas head coach and former • _ .. _ head coach Chad Morris, finished the game with 262 yards passing and three touchdowns on 35 pass attempts. Senior wide receiver Finn Corwin recorded a game-high 12 catches for 142 yards aod a touch down. Sam Morse also caught a touchdown pass . Running back BeDDer Page led Highland Park with 77 yards on 21 carries. Shadow Creek responded on the ensuing drive when quarterback Jamarian George found Jared Jackson for a 14-yard score. George was the bright spot for Shadow Creek on offense, using his feet and his arm. He ran for a 99-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and finished with 140 total yards. Those were the only points for the Sharks outside of a field goal in the first half. Turnovers proved costly for Shadow Creek, as George threw three of the team's four picks and took multiple penalties for intentional grounding. George was under pressure for four quar ters. Highland Park recorded nine sacks, led by junior defensive end Prince Dorbab with four. Patrick Turner and Grant Gallas each had two. Dorbah, the game's defensive MVP, has offers from programs including Texas and Oklahoma. Longview 35, Beaumont West Brook 34: Longview captured its first state title since 1937 Saturday afternoon when the Lobos outlasted a game and talented Beaumont West Brook squad in front of 48,421 people in AT&T Stadium. Longview junior quar terback Haynes King earned offensive MVP honors after throw ing for 423 yards and two touchdowns on 16 completions. The head coach's son added 65 yards and a touchdown rushing. Longview wide receiver Kamden Perry set a Class 6A record with 218 yards receiving, catching eight passes and scoring a touchdown. The Lobos entered the game as the favorites but trailed at halftime and in the fourth quarter. A field goal by JI< Martin cut the West Brook lead to 34-29 with 8:17 remaining in the game. A West Brook turnover gave Longview the ball back, and the Lobos took the lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by program in the state to Jessie Anderson. win at least eight state West Brook rode the titles. two-headed rushing Quarterback Jake attack of quarterback Bishop completed 14 of La'Ravien Ella and run 17 passes for 174 yards ning back Jakobi Holland, and three touchdowns. who combined for 258 He added 61 yards and yards and three touch a touchdown on just six downs on just 26 carries. carries. Sophomore Jo Jo Robert McGrue carried Earle led Aledo with 79 17 times for 69 yards. yards on six catches. Wide receiver Deonte The Bearcats defense Simpson accounted for kept a high-powered 106 of West Brook's 144 Marshall offense in yards receiving and both check for four quarters. touchdowns. Marshall quarterback Longview defenders Malik Hornsby, a highly Jephaniah Lister recorded touted recruit, managed a game-high 12 tackles. just three completions Tyshawn Taylor finished through three quarters. with 11, and Isiah Rodgers His dual-threat abilities registered 10. The West were kept in check as Brook defense was led by Aledo outplayed Marshall the seven tackles of line in the trenches on both man Markel Clark. sides of the football The only other state The game stayed close title game appearance for in the first half. Marshall West Brook was in 1982. trailed28-ubeforeAledo Aledo 55, Fort Bend outscored the Buffaloes Marshall 19 : Jase 20-0 in the third quarter. McClellan led Aledo The Aledo defense was to its eighth state title ledbyTreOwens, Wyatt Friday night as the Harris and Aidan Hayes. Bearcats blasted Fort Aledo sacked Hornsby Bend Marshall at AT&T three times. Stadium. The junior Marshall defender running back averaged Jaylon Wilson recorded 7.1 yards per carry and 17 tackles, and Norman scored four total touch Baker added 10. Hornsby dow ns, rushing for did hit junior Devon 149 yards and adding a Achane for a 49-yard 22-yard TD reception. touchdown pass with 1:51 Aledo became the fifth left in the game. Oklahoma: Off the foot of a freshman Toe situation: Oklahoma tied things up at 45-45 with 2:38 remaining, and the UT offense got the ball back at its own 25. Most Texas fans know how this story ended, but there were three significant plays to set up Cameron Dicker's fate ful 40-yard field goal. First, OU's Tre Norwood was called for pass interference for push ing Johnson near the Sooners' sideline. Theo Ehlinger hit Devin Duvemay for an 18-yard gain. Two plays later, tight end Andrew Beck had a nifty 7-yard catch. Ehlinger rm twice for 12 yards, and then it was time for "Dicker the Kicker." The freshman from .,..1 . 1 didn'tbavemanybold your-breath moments this season. Overall, bewas16-for- 22 on field-goal attempts. The 40-yarder against OU with 9 seconds left was clearly the big gest - and arguably one of the biggest plays of the season for Herman's Longhorns. Cameron Dicker (17) made 16 field goals this season, but none was bigger than the freshman's winning 40-yarder in the closing seconds against Oklahoma in October. [COOPER NEIU/ TliE ASSOCIATED PRESSJ Big-play Baylor beats Vanderbilt for Texas Bowl victory By Suzanne Halliburton [email protected] HOUSTON - In a game dominated by big, bombastic offensive plays, a couple of fundamental defensive snaps decided the show Thursday night. Baylor, Jed by sophomore quarterback Charlie Brewer, sprinted past Vanderbilt 45-38 to win the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. The winning score was a 52-yard touch down heave from Brewer to Marques Jones with 1 minute, 50 seconds left in the game. But the real win-sealing play came on third down, SeeBAYLOR, C2 BAYLOR from.Page Cl three snaps later. Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur, a four-year starter, looked for tailback Khari Blasingame over the middle. But Baylor linebackers Clay Johnston and Terrel Bernard sandwiched Blasingame, who already had blistered the defense for three touchdowns.Theballpopped up and defensive tackle James Lynch and safety Verkedric Baylor head coach Matt Rhule embraces his players as they Vaughns each strained for it celebrate their 45·38 win over Vanderbilt after the Texas Bowl. before it fell incom lete. lMICHAEl WYKf/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS] On fourth down, Shurmur misfired trying for tight end football celebration. right," Baylor senior guard Jared Pinkney. Although the "Our job is to win, the B Blackmar said. "He Baylor offense still needed purpose of our program is to practices bard, he shows up to run off the final 65 sec - make sure that our players for everything, he's a great onds, the outcome had been leave here with a life that's teammate, he's a winner.... decided. better than if they wouldn't All he did in high school was Baylor coach Matt Rhule have come, that they leave win, and all be does at Baylor hoisted the Texas Bowl here better," Rhule said. "And is compete. To take the start trophy aloft to fans in a post just watching them grow in ing job and help push us to game presentation. It's been a two years is fantastic." win this season, nothing but quick turnaround for Baylor. Vanderbilt dropped to 6-7. respect for the guy. I hope he A year ago, Rhule's first on The Commodores had hoped keeps going, because he's a campus, the Bears suffered to give coach Derek Mason bis hell of a player." through a one-win season. first bowl victory in his five If Vanderbilt had won, the The victory Thursday night seasons in Nashville. MVP trophy surely would've represented the Bears' sev Brewer, the former ___J been awarded toCoIDIIlodores enth of 2018. . • standout, was named tailback Ke'Shawn Vaughn, A year ago, Rhule con the game's most valuable the SEC's newcomer of the stantly preached to his team player. He tluew for 384 year. Vaughn rushed for 243 that their football fortunes yards and two touchdowns yards, a Vandy bowl record, would be better if they con - and rushed for 109 with a on 13 carries. He had touch tinued to work hard. Several score. He sported a white down runs of 69 and 68 yards. of those players dumped a cowboy hat when be met with The two offenses combined cooler full of icy water on reporters. for 1,241 yards. There were Rhule in the best sort of "The kid does everything only three punts. SECOND QUARTER HaHtime: Texas 20, Georgia 7. The Longhorns got a huge break when Gerald Wilbon pounced on a fumble deep in Bulldogs territory at the end of the first quarter. Ehlinger scored on the opening play of the second, setting a school record with his 15th touchdown run. All 20 of Texas' flrst•half points were scored by Austin-area products; Ehlinger is from Wes• e, Dicker is from L...... l..:-s. Texas: Ehlinger 9-yard run (Dicker kick, 14:53) Georgia: Brian Herrien 17-yard pass from Jake Fromm (Rodrigo Blankenship kick, 9:03) Texas: Dicker 30-yard field goal, 4:37 Baker Mayfield sets NFL record Browns enjoy to jump into . Erie. Wilson, Mayfield did not turnaround as former Those gloomy days are long start all 16 games in order to cav quarterback throws gone. TheBrownshavetumed achieve this record. He started rookie-best 27 TDs In it around behind former ~ 13 games after taking over for debut pro season star quarterback Baker an injured Tyrod Taylor just Mayfield, who set an NFL before halftime in Week 3. By Tom Wilhcr-s rookie record with 27 passing In the process, he triggered The Associated Press touchdowns. Mayfield sur Cleveland's turnaround. passed Peyton Manning and "It's been a long time CLEVELAND - Just a year Russell Wilson as the only coming," wide receiver ago, the Cleveland Browns rookie to throw 27 passing Ras had Higgins said. "We were winless. Theywereaim touchdowns. Mayfield broke were due for a winning team." less. They looked hopeless. the record in the fourth quar Overdue. Disgusted with their laugh ter of a season-finale loss to With their 26-18 win over able team, some fans spent the Baltimore on a 1-yard pass to the Cincinnati Bengals in the holidays planning a tongue Antonio Callaway. second-to-last game of the in-cheek parade around It was Mayfield's ninth season, the Browns (7-8- Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass in the FirstEnergy Stadium to cele game this season with at least 1) completed the biggest first half of an Nfl football game against the Baltimore Ravens on brate a probable 0-16 season. two passing TDs. Dec. 30 in Baltimore. [AP PHOTQ/CAROLYN KASTER] Coach Hue Jackson promised Unlike Manning and See MAYFIELD, A7 Browns to a 5-3record since MAYFIELD taking over for Jackson, has always felt the team had 1-romPageA6 enough talent to win and is finally puttingit together. "I don't ever walk into turnaround in franchise any game thinking that we history. Cleveland's can't win, and I thought seven-game improve that last year," said ment since last season Williams, whose candidacy - and it could be eight for the full-time job after with a win this week in the season improves with Baltimore - tops the every victory. "I thought six-game jumps the team we played extremely well made in 1976 and 2007. enough in many of those It's been a remarkable games to win games, and swing for a franchise that that is bow close and tough bas had just two winning the league is." seasons since its 1999 Williams has always put expansion reboot. And team goals first, and while it's a stunning rise for a several factors have led to team that endured a late the turnaround, he believes October coaching change an emphasis on account and if not for a play here ability has transformed the and there would be pre Browns. paring for the playoffs. "We have been able to In an unpredictable help them understand season across the NFL, that you have to do your Cleveland's one-year job and you have to block comeback might be the A Cleveland Browns fan holds up a jersey for Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield before an NFL football game between out the outside distrac biggest shocker of all. the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 30 in Baltimore. [AP PHOTO/GAIL BURTON ) tions," he said. "You As the final seconds bled have to focus and rally from the clock against than it had all day. toward the locker room. intends to keep them here, that is what the together and play for each Cincinatti and the Browns After shaking hands with In a way, Mayfield's around. Browns are all about. It is other. They have done a clinched their best home a few Cincinnati players, departure after the home "I relate to Cleveland," goingto beagoodrelation very good job of not only record in 11 years at 5-2-1, Mayfield, who had been finale felt more like an said Mayfield, who threw shipfor alongtime." just doing their job but Mayfield took the snap serenaded with chants arrival. The Browns are three touchdown passes To interim coach Gregg supporting each other. and dropped to a knee of "Ba-ker! Ba-kerl " back, and Mayfield, last against Cincinnati. "The Williams, Cleveland's surge People see that in team before urging the sellout throughout much of the year's Heisman Trophy work ethic, the stuff that this season isn't a surprise. execution over individual crowd to scream louder second half, sprinted winner at Oklahoma, you have to earn it around Williams, who has led the execution." Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield warm.s up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Dec. 30 in Baltimore. (AP PHOTO,tAAOI.YN KASTER)