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From the desk of the Publisher IHSFAN Magazine is proud to celebrate our 6th anniversary in 2020. What started as just an idea that Austin area high school football deserved its own preview magazine has grown to include a weekly radio show and now a webcast network. Our goal was to provide the robust and passionate area high school football community with a magazine to call their own. We wanted to preview all the area teams and showcase a Top 10 team of players. In 2017 IHSFAN partnered with Austin’s #1 Sports radio station “The Horn” to bring the “Under the Lights” radio show to the Austin airwaves. Each Wednesday night during the season from 7:00-9:00 p.m. both Jeff Power and myself bring our listeners an action-packed show that includes conversations with area coaches and players, news of the week from around the area, and our highly popular prediction segment. We are excited to announce that we will be back on The Horn for season number FOUR this August. As we continue to bring content to our readers and listeners, we are proud to announce the success of our IHSFAN WEBCAST Network. Last year we were so proud to broadcast 86 Football games, 20 Basketball games and numerous baseball games in our inaugural year. We are the fastest growing webcast network in the area and 2020 will see new teams added to our network family. We will continue to bring quality broadcasts to our listeners…. ALL the games will be accessible via both a complimentary web link AND will be available on THE HORN APP. Imagine sitting at your local stadium watching your favorite team and then being able to click on the Horn app to listen to live play by play of several different games. The 2020 Bush’s Chicken IHSFAN Top 10 team once again features players from all over the area. It has been fun to look back at our Top 10 teams from the previous 6 magazines to see how they are doing. Our first ever IHSFAN Top 10 team has now graduated college and is off pursuing great things. On a personal note I would like to thank ALL the area coaches for all that they do. Our community is blessed with so many great men and women that do so much for our area student athletes. The world has struggled in 2020 due to the pandemic. It is our hope that high school football will play a key role in helping heal all of us. One thing is for sure, we will never take any sporting event for granted ever again. Welcome to the 2020 IHSFAN MAGAZINE! Rick Epstein Publisher of IHSFAN

Rick Epstein Publisher/Editor

C ON T E N T S

Jay Plotkin Jake Herman

Letter from the Publisher........................... 4

Joe Taylor

Feature Stories

Allan Cepeda

Realignment............................................. 8

Freelance feature reporters

Hope- Dr. Smith......................................10 Year of the Quarterback.................... 12-13

Scott Coleman

Changes at Regents................................14

Scottwcoleman.com

IHSFAN TOP 10 Team........................ 16-21

Cover and contributing photographer

2019 Coach/Player of Year.................... 22

Rona McDonald Layout Design Rocky Epstein Todd James Scott Coleman Rodney Rodriguez

The Student Section School Previews............................. 24 District 25 6A....................................26-32 District 26 6 A...................................34-40 District 11 5A D1...............................42-48 District 12 5A D1...............................50-54 District 13 5A D2 ..............................55-57 District 14 5A D2............................... 58-61

Snupe Daniel

LBJ &, East Side Memorial...................... 62

Jeff Power

District Predictions.................................. 63

Craig Way Lise Hudson Erin Hogan Dr. Scott Smith Howard McMahan Dwayne Weirich 104.9 The Horn All the area Coaches Special Thanks For advertising opportunities please call: Rick Epstein 512.351.6661 or email at rickepstein48@gmail.com

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THE TWO-YEAR TWO-STEP- UIL REALIGNMENT By: Jay Plotkin The biannual University Interscholastic League realignment produced a pair of seismic shifts for schools in Central Texas, most notably the 6A schools in the Leander and Round Rock school districts and LBJ. In addition to welcoming 6A newcomer Hutto into their ranks, Vandegrift, Cedar Ridge, Stony Point and the rest of last year’s District 13-6A now comprise District 25-6A, moving from Region II into Region IV. The move into Region IV means that bi-district playoff games will have a much more local feel. “I’ve loved playing in Region 4 when we were 5A and early 6A,” Vandegrift football coach/athletic coordinator Drew Sanders said. “It just makes sense that you play an Austin game in the first round and then head on from there. And we’ve always matched up well with the San Antonio area schools.” While the UIL shortened the new District 25’s bi-district playoff travel, the path to a long playoff stay didn’t get easier. District 26 includes recent state champions Westlake and Lake Travis and playoff mainstays Bowie and Hays. The battle to earn the top District 25 seed in each division – and avoid playoff openers against the Chaps and Cavs – will be heated. The area’s 5A districts saw movement as well. Anderson drops down from 6A to compete in District 11-5A-1. Under coach Daniel Hunter, the Trojans have posted back-to-back winning seasons but fell frustratingly short of their former district’s final playoff spot. While Hunter knows many expect the Trojans to take the next step, he also knows nothing is given, especially in a district that includes Cedar Park, Manor, Georgetown and fellow 6A dropdowns Hendrickson and Leander. 8

“I think every team in the new district will be pretty good,” Hunter said. “Even the so-called ‘big dogs’ will need to bring their A game every week to win. From our standpoint, I know that if we show up with our ‘B’ game, we won’t win a single game.” In splitting from the Language Arts and Sciences Academy with which it shared an East Austin campus, LBJ drops into 4A, Division I. Austin ISD decided not to petition the UIL to keep LBJ paired with the likes of McCallum, Northeast, Crockett, Travis and Navarro. The Jaguars, who shared a district championship in each of the last two seasons, find an immediate district measuring stick in Lampasas. Their meeting should be one of the most exciting games of the year. The Jaguars’ Division I-caliber secondary led by Latrell McCutchin and Andrew Mukuba should test – and be tested by -- Badgers’ alleverything quarterback Ace Whitehead. Liberty Hill moves up from 4A-1 to compete against the Austin ISD schools, which drop into 5A-2 without LBJ, which was one of the district’s most recognizable – and successful schools. Despite a sub-par regular season in 2019, the Panthers and their Slot-T offense still reached the regional final and should continue their rich playoff tradition in 5A-2. Other teams with central Texas ties in new districts include Dripping Springs and Seguin, who move from a football district against the Austin ISD 5A schools into District 12-5A-1, which includes San Antonio area schools and Buda Johnson; and Lehman, which drops down out of the district anchored by Lake Travis and Westlake.

AUSTIN AREA DISTRICTS AND REGIONS: 25-6A REGION 4

26-6A REGION 4

11-5A D1 REGION 3

Round Rock Cedar Ridge Stony Point McNeil Westwood Vandegrift Vista Ridge Hutto

Lake Travis Westlake Austin Bowie Atkins Hays Del Valle San Marcos

Georgetown Anderson Pflugerville Hendrickson Weiss Cedar Park Leander Manor

12-5A D1 REGION 3

13-5A D2 REGION 4

14-5A D2 REGION 4

Johnson Dripping Springs Lehman Seguin Comal Canyon S.A. Veterans Memorial S.A. Harlandale S.A. McCollum

Glenn Rouse Bastrop Cedar Creek East View Elgin Brenham Connally

Crockett Marble Falls McCallum Navarro Northeast Travis Liberty Hill

13-4A D1 REGION 4 LBJ Burnet Canyon Lake Fredericksburg Lampasas Taylor

NEW COACHING FACES TO AREA VARSITY CAROUSEL McNeil

Coach Howard McMahan (Promoted to Asst. AD RRISD)

Coach Scott Hermes

Weiss

Coach Tommy Aultman (Promoted to Asst. PFISD AD)

Steve Van Meter

Manor

Jimmie Mitchell (Took Edna Coaching Job)

Coach James Keller

Cedar Creek

Jon Edwards resigned

Coach Bryan Hill

Regents

Beck Brydon now Dir. of Football

Coach Tim Phillips 9

By Dr. Scott A. Smith Texas Orthopedics

This article was written during the pause in the sports world caused by the COVID-19 virus. A time when all sports as well as any other gatherings were prohibited. Social distancing became the normal. I hope that we are beyond that by now and are back to “normal”. I hope the games have returned. So to that end it has become very evident that sports matter. Sports matter on many levels. One which may not be obvious is they serve as a distraction. Sports provide another focus. No matter what kind of day you’ve had you can cheer, yell, celebrate or lament with your team and escape for a short period of time to the playing field. We need sports. I personally have learned just how much I love sports of all varieties. This is a football magazine so I must say I really love football. However, I never ever considered it possible that the NBA season, G-league season, NCAA sports (especially March Madness), PGA (Dell match play and the Masters) and MLB would or could ever be cancelled. Be prepared. Never say never as something that can never happen, might just happen. I have learned that the benefits of sports are much more than just for entertainment. As a physician, the health benefits of being active cannot be overstated. Many adults continue to work out and participate in athletics and sports for their entire lives. This behavior began with school sports. Fitness is important at all times of our lives. The teamwork and social skills learned by being a teammate also have lifetime 10

applications. Working toward a common goal, sweating and bleeding together bonds teammates for life. Healthy competition teaches life lessons and respect for our opponent. Success teaches that hard work pays off. Gathering together on Friday nights to watch high school football is deeply woven into the fabric of every Texan. The generational interaction down at the local football field is longstanding and an irreplaceable part of our society. A corndog or Frito pie from the concession stand provided by the band parents is a treat that has to be experienced to be appropriately appreciated. I have purchased Diet Dr. Pepper at halftime at least 190 times. The halftime show performed by our incredible area bands are really amazing. These spectacles have probably been the biggest change that I have experienced in my almost 20 years on the sideline. They are incredible. Stay for the show at halftime. You will witness the fruit of all the hard labor by the bands, color guards and everyone involved. It will also shorten the line to facilitate my Dr. Pepper purchase. So hopefully America and the world has returned to the new normal and we are all cheering on our teams and we can violate the six foot social distance to exchange a few high fives and hugs after a big play or tough loss. Sports make the world a better place. Hopefully we now have a better, deeper understanding of their value and the fact that they can be taken away. Let’s HOPE it never happens again.

YEAR OF THE QUARTERBACK By Jake Herman

The quarterback position is among the most vital positions among all team sports, especially at the high school level. Due to his unique ability to lead the team and touch the ball on every snap, the player under center is romanticized, scrutinized and everything in between over the course of a season. This season, the quarterback position will be among its deepest and most talented in the recent history of Central Texas high school football. The students playing the position this season share both a competitive drive, a sense of leadership and a mutual respect for one another. So, IHSFAN has dubbed the upcoming season: The Year of the Quarterback. “Our area is full of great quarterbacks,” said Kyle Brown, Vista Ridge Sr. 1st team all-state QB and last season’s IHSFAN Player of the Year. “It’s a big circle of motivation… when you see the other guys play well you really want to play well too.” Several of the quarterbacks said that they elevate their game when they know they are facing a great competitor on the other sideline. “The competitive nature that all of us (quarterbacks) have is special,” said Austin High Sr. QB Charles Wright. “It’s really fun to play against them on Friday nights…half of it is bragging rights.” This fun stems in part from the close relationships that some of these quarterbacks have formed over the years. “I’m familiar with a lot of these guys,” said RJ Martinez, Westwood Sr. QB about his fellow quarterbacks. “They’re great guys who really work on their craft.” Although each quarterback’s individual craft is different, they share a common denominator of the leadership responsibility they assume. Just as 12

each quarterback differs in style, each takes a nuanced approach to the leadership that is inherent with playing the position. Del Valle Sr. QB Jace Wilson said that his leadership in 2020 will start before he even hits the field. The 2019 Co-Offensive Newcomer of the Year said that this spring, he’s “trying to be more of a vocal leader in the weight room.” Lake Travis Sr. QB Nate Yarnell sees his leadership role as one of a steadying presence. “I want to solidify my role as a leader and put our team in the best situations I can,” Yarnell said. He hopes that by keeping the team level-headed, they can once again thrive under pressure. Kyle Brown said he positions himself as an “encourager,” a leadership style he said he has learned from the Vista Ridge coaching staff. “I don’t really yell at people,” Brown said. “Once they lose confidence, they don’t play as well.” Of course, not all leadership is verbal. Round Rock Sr. QB Seth Ford said he prefers to set an example with his actions. “I want to be known as someone who doesn’t just talk, but puts it into action,” Ford said. “It’s important to step forward and bear the standard for my team.” Body language is another component of leadership, and the quarterback position often requires a certain gravitas. Most of the quarterbacks said that they observe and learn from the body language of their competitors, including Cedar Park Sr. QB Ryder Hernandez. “Facing these other great quarterbacks makes you have to step up even more,” Hernandez said. “I look at their body language and try to implement it in my game.” Teams with great leaders often succeed, and each quarterback said they are focused on achieving team goals above all else this season. As is often the case, though, the play of the quarterback may go hand in hand with the team’s success. All seven quarterbacks quoted in this story were named to the 2020 IHSFAN Top Ten team, and many will face off against each other in can’t-miss matchups throughout the season. All are seniors, but a couple of exciting juniors could also crash their party. McNeil Jr. QB Luke Hutchison earned District Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors and still has room to grow. He’ll be looking to avenge losses suffered to several of the rising senior QBs this season. Georgetown Jr. QB Darson Herman is another dangerous dualthreat player who led the Eagles to a playoff win last season.

Long-time Regents Head Football Coach Beck Brydon announced this spring that he was promoting Defensive Coordinator, Tim Phillips, to the head role moving forward. Brydon was chosen as the Knights’ first varsity head football coach in 2000. From 2000-2003 Regents played six-man football as a TAPPS 1A/SA school. In 2004 Regents began playing 11man football and is widely considered one of the most successful football programs in the state. Brydon steps aside after his teams compiled a record of 197 wins to only 52 losses. In the past four years alone, the Brydon-led Knights are in elite company, joining Westlake’s Todd Dodge, Lake Travis’ Hank Carter and Cedar Park’s Carl Abseck as the four winningest coaches in Central Texas. In 20 years of varsity football, Regents won 15 District Titles, qualified for the TAPPS State Playoffs all 20 seasons, and played for 11 State Championships, winning five of them. “While the scoreboard success has really been fun, Regents Football is about so much more. How do you measure the types of men, husbands, fathers, servants, leaders, neighbors and community members our players are, have or will become? This is the journey that I’m most thankful for,” Brydon said. And so a new era at Regents begins. Coach Phillips has coached 14

at Regents for nine seasons, most recently as Defensive Coordinator for the last four years. Coach Phillips played quarterback at Kent State University and coached football at the University of Kansas for nine seasons from 1988-1997. He and his wife Laurie have three children, all of whom attended Regents. Regents’ defense over the past four years is ranked as one of the best in the state, giving up 12.2 points per game, holding opponents to 2.8 yards per rush, and creating nearly 3 turnovers per game. “Coach Phillips is one of the best football coaches, at any level, I know. Our kids love playing for him and he gets a ton out of our talent pool,” Brydon stated. Phillips shared, “So I’m thankful for Coach Brydon’s confidence and belief in me. The foundation of this program – loving and developing young men, leading others to Christ through the sport of football, and pursuing excellence on the field – will not change. My goals are not to change, but to advance this program’s success. How we do some things will be different, but the destination is the same.” Regents kicks off the new era on Friday, August 28 when the Knights travel to TAPPS Div II perennial power Dallas Christian.

BUILDING CHAMPIONS FOR LIFE ‘19 ‘18 ‘17 ‘16 ‘11 ‘10 ‘08 ‘06 ‘03 ‘02 ‘01

5-TIME STATE CHAMPIONS 6-TIME STATE RUNNER-UP

REGENTS SCHOOL OF AUSTIN CLASSICAL | CHRISTIAN | COMMUNITY REGENTSAUSTIN.ORG | 512-899-8095

IHSFAN Top Ten Team Presented by

By: Jake Herman

The 2020 IHSFAN Top 10 Team represents our view of the best high school talent in the Austin area for the coming football season. Each player detailed below is someone to keep your eye on as the Friday night lights are switched on later this year.

Kyle Brown, Senior QB Vista Ridge

Kyle Brown earned several honors in 2019, including IHSFAN Player of the Year. Brown threw for 295 completions on 407 attempts for 3,734 yards, 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions in what was a turnaround season for Vista Ridge. He also added 10 rushing touchdowns, an area of his game he hopes to improve on even more in 2020. “I’ll try to be more of a runner when it’s needed,” Brown said. “I can’t be afraid to keep my eyes down field.” Perhaps Brown’s best performance came in a win against Cedar Ridge, a game in which he threw 5 touchdowns, none more memorable than his buzzer-beating 40-yard Hail Mary to Jacob Bowerman. “I knew it would get there,” Brown said of the pass, “but watching Jacob come down with it was one of the highlights of my life.” Brown said he hopes to throw for 4,000 yards and stay under 5 interceptions again in 2020. He’ll look to keep Vista Ridge trending upwards with the goal of advancing past the first round of the playoffs.

141

Latrell McCutchin, LBJ Senior DB, WR, KR

551

After missing last season due to an injury, senior Latrell McCutchin returns to lead LBJ into 2020. “Being on the sideline helped me become a better person and a better teammate,” McCutchin said. “It made me value the game more…I took it for granted at times.” Using his speed and physicality, McCutchin will impact the game from a variety of skill positions and take on a much larger role this season. “I try to play the game with confidence and energy,” McCutchin said. “I want to bounce back and prove people wrong that said I wouldn’t.” He’ll take the field with a talented senior class that will compete each and every night. “I want to be a guy that leads us,” McCutchin said. “Our goal is nothing short of a state championship.” 16

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Nate Yarnell, Lake Travis Senior QB

Nate Yarnell will take the reins of a Lake Travis offense that will be as potent as ever in 2020. He started last season as the backup to Texas-commit Hudson Card, but was called into action when Card battled a late-season injury and the offense did not miss a beat. Yarnell went undefeated in 6 starts, including 3 playoff wins. He threw for 1,489 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions. “That first game against Del Valle helped me bond with the team and step into my role,” Yarnell said. “This year, I want to solidify that leadership role… and help our team progress throughout the season.” As often is the case for a Lake Travis QB, Yarnell has big shoes to fill. The team lost in the 6A-D1 semifinals last season, but the expectation remains nothing short of a state championship. Yarnell said that Card taught him “to be a great teammate,” and “the right guy on and off the field.” This year, Yarnell hopes to improve his ability to make reads and adjustments at the line of scrimmage.

Seth Ford, Round Rock Senior QB

After a breakout season, senior QB Seth Ford is looking to grow as a leader and take Round Rock to new heights in 2020. “We’re going to be a younger team, so I want to be a good teammate and leader,” Ford said. “I want to bear the standard for our team and be known as someone you can always come up and talk to.” Ford added that he’ll look to “take it one game at a time” and try to make the playoffs in his senior season. The Dragons went 6-4 last season but lost their last three district games and fell short of a playoff berth. Ford threw for 2,197 yards, 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He ran for 499 yards and 7 touchdowns, including a game-winning touchdown run in overtime against Stony Point. Ford called that game a “great moment” that brought the team closer.

Jace Wilson, Del Valle Senior QB

Del Valle QB Jace Wilson burst onto the scene with a strong 2019 season, earning Co-Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors. He threw for 165 completions on 252 attempts for 2,526 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions. He added 213 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. He posted jaw-dropping numbers in a key mid-season win over Austin High, throwing for 399 yards and 6 touchdowns while making flashy plays with his legs. This season, Wilson said he hopes to improve as a play maker and extend plays to allow his talented receivers to get open. Wilson said he is looking to become more of a vocal leader in the weight room this offseason to prepare to lead Del Valle into the playoffs. “The keys will be finishing games, having better ball control and limiting our mistakes,” Wilson said of his team’s quest for the postseason. The Cardinals went 5-5 last season but feature one of the more dynamic offenses in their district with Wilson at the helm. 18

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PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Each week one Austin Each week one Austin area area player will be player will be selected selected as theChicken Bush’s as the Bush’s Chicken of the Player ofPlayer the Week. Week. In addition to In addition to the player, the player, Bush’s will Bush's will recognize recognize a spirited a spirited teacher or teacher or administrator administrator AND a band from thatofplayer’s member the week from school. that player's school.

Charles Wright, Austin High Senior QB

For the second straight season, Austin High QB Charles Wright qualified for the IHSFAN Top 10 Team. He completed 206 of his 371 passes for 2510 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2019, including a stellar 6 touchdown, 0 interception performance in a 70-49 loss to Anderson. His young receivers did him no favors early in the Maroons’ 4-6 season, but they banded together in a gutsy road upset at Bowie in the team’s penultimate game. Through weekly meetings with underclassmen, Wright is already assuming a larger leadership role in 2020. In his senior season, the Iowa State-commit said he is looking to make more plays with his legs and get the Maroons that elusive playoff win. “I think my leadership and intellectual skills are what set me apart,” Wright said. “I want to be known as someone that came in every day willing to put in the work that others aren’t.”

Ryder Hernandez, Cedar Park Senior QB

With Ryder Hernandez under center, the Cedar Park Timberwolves are never out of a game. In his junior season, the district MVP led comeback game-winning drives against San Angelo Central and Hutto that propelled his team to a 9-1 regular season. Hernandez racked up 3,077 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and just six interceptions in all. Still, the QB is focused on helping his team turn the page from their third-round defeat to Manor and compete for a state title. “In the past couple years, I’ve been more of a silent leader, but my senior year I want to be more vocal,” Hernandez said. “I want to be remembered as a great leader and a great teammate who helped out this program.” Hernandez added that he’ll look to improve his ability to extend plays in 2020.

RJ Martinez, Westwood Senior QB

The Westwood offense ran through RJ Martinez in 2019, and the QB rose to the occasion. Martinez said he credits his coaches for helping him take a step forward with his progressions, and the stats back that up. Martinez completed 297 of 440 pass attempts for 3,424 yards, 29 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also tallied 825 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. In Westwood’s season finale against Cedar Park, Martinez posted video-game numbers, accounting for 788 yards and 10 total touchdowns. However, the Warriors lost a lot of close games late last season and finished 4-6. Martinez is determined to reverse that trend in 2020. “Last year there were a lot of games where we gave it up in the fourth quarter,” Martinez said. “This season, we have the expectation of fighting until the end and executing as a team.” 20

Elijah Oakmon, Pflugerville Jr RB Coming off a 1,040-yard season in which he averaged 5.4 yards per carry, Pflugerville RB Elijah Oakmon is hungry for more. As the only junior on the IHSFAN Top 10 Team, he said he plans to improve his explosiveness, cuts and breakaway speed. His personal goal is to rush for 1,500 yards in 2020. Oakmon’s best performance of 2019 came against Manor, when he tallied 146 rushing yards and a touchdown in a game where the sophomore went toe-to-toe with Manor senior RB Tahj Brooks. With the experience of 2019 under his belt, Oakmon said he plans to lead his team to the playoffs in 2020. “I lead by keeping my brothers up and keeping my team up if anything happens,” Oakmon said. “Everything is a team job… we work together, we bleed together, and we eat together.”

Landyn Watson, Hutto Senior DL

If teams at the 6A level haven’t heard of Hutto DL Landyn Watson, they’re in for a surprise. The senior is the best returner in the area heading into this season as the Hippos transition into 6A football. The 2019 Defensive Lineman of the Year earned his keep by recording 49 tackles (14 for a loss) and seven sacks. Watson also has a knack for impacting the game in big moments, as he forced two fumbles and recovered four last year. “Going into this year, I have the same expectations to be as dominant as I can be,” Watson said. “I want to come in and show people in 6A that 5A is not that different.” This season, Watson hopes to build on his skills as a pass rusher that can line up anywhere on the field. He said that this versatility will help his team scheme the best match-ups all over the field. “This year, I want to be in a position to be more productive," Watson said. “I’ve got to lead by example, because people will follow what I do.”

2019 Post Season Awards Presented by:

2019 Coach of the Year Coach Tommy Aultman Weiss Wolves

2019 Player of the Year Kyle Brown, QB Vista Ridge Rangers

Coach Aultman led his team to one of the biggest turn arounds in Texas. After finishing 0-10 in 2018, in their first season of varsity competition, the Wolves won a district championship.

Kyle had an amazing Junior season in 2019. He earned First Team All-State Honors and led his team to a huge turn-around going from 1-9 in 2018 to 8-3 and a round 1 playoff game in 2019. Kyle finished the season with 3,734 yards passing, 41 passing TDs, 10 rushing TDs, and completed 72.4% of his passes with just 4 interceptions.

In 2019, they went two rounds deep into the UIL playoffs finishing their historic season at 9-3.

25-6A 26-6A 11-5A D1 12-5A D1 13-5A D2 14-5A D2 24

13-4A D1

WESTWOOD Coach Anthony Wood, who arguably gets more out of his players than any area coach, enters his 16th season as the leader of the Warriors. Wood told IHSFAN, “We have been successful in teaching our style of football by having our players understand that we are going to be able to compete because of how they are able to learn and execute what we are teaching them.” The 2019 Warriors finished 4-6 in a tough 13-6A district. The 2020 team returns 8 on offense and 6 on defense. Coach Wood loves his Sr. QB 1st team All District and member of the IHSFAN Top 10 Team R.J. Martinez. Martinez is a special talent who threw for 3,424 yards and 29 Td’s last season. Once again look for the Warriors to throw the ball as much as 80% of the time in this high octane “Air Wood” offense. Other offensive leaders include Sr. 1st Team all-district WR Robbie Jeng, Sr. 1st team All-district OL Daniel Vasquez, and Sr. multi-year starter RB Nate Anderson. The defense’s strength will be the defensive line which will be led by 3-year starter Sr. NG Jackson Metzger and an impressive So. DT Jack Ziebell who will likely be on all the newcomer of the year post season lists. All Westwood Warriors games can be listened to on the IHSFAN Webcast Network this season via The Horn app or dedicated weblink via any smartphone, computer, or device with internet access.

MCNEIL On January 9th RRISD named a new Head Football coach and AD for McNeil. Scott Hermes, who has spent the past few years as Vandegrift’s Defensive coordinator, took the reins after Howard McMahan was promoted to RRISD Assistant AD after 6 seasons as McNeil’s Head Coach. Coach Hermes told IHSFAN, “I have gotten to know the players and families and I am so excited to be a Maverick. I am around a bunch of guys that are eager to work to achieve success and I am excited as to how the kids have really bought in.” The Mavs return 4 starters on offense and 8 on defense. The offense will be led by Jr. new-comer of the year QB Luke Hutshison. Hutchison exploded onto the scene last year and had defensive coordinators worried. The Mavs Offensive line will be anchored by Sr. 1st team All-district OL Tim Adkins. The defense will switch to a 4-2-5 and will be led by DL Keegan Paddy, LB KJ Duncan, and CB Mekhai Coleman. All McNeil Maverick games can be listened to on the IHSFAN Webcast Network this season via The Horn app or dedicated weblink via any smartphone, computer, or device with internet access.

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CEDAR RIDGE Coach Sam Robinson enters his 4th season at the helm of the Cedar Ridge Raiders coming off their 7th straight trip to the playoffs, finishing 2019 with the record of 6-5. The Raiders season came to an end in the 1st round of the playoffs in a 42-28 loss to Cy-Woods. Coach Robinson told IHSFAN, “Last season we had higher expectations as we thought we would have gone a little deeper into the playoffs. Our district was so tough, it was a battle every game. It took us a long time for us to get some momentum.” The 2020 Raiders will return 5 starters on offense and 4 on defense. Look for both Josh Nazaire and Dylan Morello to tote the rock behind a very experienced O-line that includes three returners that starter all 11 games last season in Jon Sherwood, Corbin Hutcherson, and Thomas Ganster. Talented receivers Devon Turner and DJ Roundtree will help move the chains. The Raiders defense will be led by 2nd Team All-District LB Brett Hartgrove. Other leaders on the defense will be LB Isaac Cobb, and two talented D-linemen LeBrennin Shepard and Brandon Gamble. All Cedar Ridge Raiders games can be listened to on the IHSFAN Webcast Network this season via The Horn app or dedicated weblink via any smartphone, computer, or device with internet access.

VISTA RIDGE Coach Rodney Vincent heads into his 12th season as head coach of the Rangers coming off an incredible turn around 2019 season. The Rangers improved from 1-9 in ’18 to an incredible 8-3 in ’19 losing a heartbreaker in round 1 to Tomball Memorial. Coach Vincent told IHSFAN, “We are really excited about the players that are coming back. We appreciate how hard they work and how hard they play.” The Rangers will return 7 on offense and 7 on defense. The offense will be led by 1st team All-State, 1st team all-district and member of the IHSFAN Top 10 team Sr. QB Kyle Brown. Kyle was the 2019 IHSFAN Player of the year throwing for 3734 yards and 41 TD’s. He will have talented receivers returning both 2nd team all-district in Jacob Bowerman and Kwade Hegtvedt and Utility Player of the year Emon Allen. The O-line will be anchored by 1st Team All-district Devin Ford. The Rangers defense will be led by 2nd team all-district Sr. DB Malachi Byrd, DB Emon Allen, LB Jake Robertson, and DE Jay White All Vista Ridge Rangers games can be listened to on the IHSFAN Webcast Network this season via The Horn app or dedicated weblink via any smartphone, computer, or device with internet access.

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HUTTO Coach Brad LaPlante will start his 3rd season at the helm of Hippo Nation with a new district home as they head to district 25-6A. Coach LaPlante told IHSFAN, “The biggest thing about the new district is on any given week someone can knock someone else off.” The Hippos finished 9-2 last season losing in the second round to eventual state champ Shadow Creek. Hutto has been one of the area’s most successful teams boasting a 31-5 record the past three seasons. The 2020 squad will return 4 on offense and 3 on defense. The offense will be led by Offensive newcomer of the year Jr. QB Grayson Doggett who had a stellar first varsity season in ’19. The O-line will be led by three seniors: Gabe Lozano, Juan Mora, and Seth Aguirre. Helping to move the chains will be Jr. WR Jai Lambert and Sr. TE Zane Bolding. The strength of the Hippos has to be the defensive line where IHSFAN Top 10 player and Def. lineman of the year Landyn Watson along with 1st team All-district Sr. DL Braylon Sugg are game changing dominant players. Look for So. LB Brady Bujnoch to play a key role.

VANDEGRIFT The past two seasons the Vandegrift Vipers have been ROLLING…. going undefeated in district play on their way to a 23-2 overall record. Coach Drew Sanders heads into his 12th season as the Vipers head coach. Coach Sanders told IHSFAN, “To be able to go undefeated in this tough district the past two season is really difficult. We are very thankful for those good memories but now we are preparing to see what this team can achieve.” The Vipers will return 8 on offense and 3 on defense. The offense will lean on a big offensive line and several returning skill players. 1st team all-district RB Bowen Lewis will tote the rock and WR Blake Youngblood will help move the chains. The O-Line will be anchored by 2nd team all-district OL Matthew Lee. A new signal caller will be named in August to replace the talented Dru Dawson who graduated. The defense will have to replace Jax McCauley who graduated. Look for 1st team all-district S Kaleb Lewis, Defensive newcomer of the year DB Logan Arnold and returning starter DL Rickey Sweeney to lead the defense. The Vipers named Co-Defensive coordinators in Josh Young and Nate Griffin as Coach Scott Hermes took the McNeil head coaching spot in January.

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ROUND ROCK Coach Jeff Cheatham, now in his 11th season as Round Rock Dragon head coach, oversees the largest school enrollment in central Texas. The 2019 Dragons started off winning 6 of the first 7 games and finished at 6-4 just missing the playoffs. Coach Cheatham told IHSFAN, “Eleven years ago we had about 2,400 students and about 250 kids in the football program and now we are close to 4,000 students and a little more than 350 kids in the program. It has been really fun to be part of the incredible growth and I am so thankful to be part of such a great community.” The Dragons will return 4 on offense and 6 on defense. The offense will be led by IHSFAN Top 10 player Sr. QB Seth Ford, 1st Team all-district Sr. RB Israel “Izzy” Morgan, and 1st team all-district Sr. OL Brayden McMullen. Look for Sr. Kyler Kirkpatrick to move from the defense and step into the Y position and Sr. Tyler Clifton will help move the sticks at WR. The defense will see Sr. Trey McCarty move from Safety to Corner. Other leaders will be Sr. DB Ty Dillon, Jr. DE Travien Brown, Sr. DL Luke Dodds, and Sr. LB Parker Kuhn. All Round Rock Dragons games can be listened to on the IHSFAN Webcast Network this season via The Horn app or dedicated weblink via any smartphone, computer, or device with internet access.

STONY POINT 2020 will mark the 17th season at the helm of Stony Point football (37 overall coaching years) for Coach Craig Chessher. Coach Chessher told IHSFAN, “We have a slogan ‘Right Way Every Day’ which is something we really believe in and our players through the support of their parents have really bought in. The deal about Stony Point is the kids are my kind of kids, they work hard and they all seem to really fit me and my personality.” 2019 saw the Tigers start off with an amazing 6-0 record and they finished the season losing 4 out of the final 5 games losing in the first round of the playoffs to Cy-Ranch. The Tigers will lose All-State RB Kendall Thomas through graduation but will return 5 starters on offense and 5 on defense. Look for the Tigers to start as many as 6 Sophomores on the offensive side of the ball and it is likely that So. RB Cameron Cook will tote the rock. The team will need to find a new signal caller as multi-year starter Kyle Overton graduated. Look for Jr. WR Jaden Leonard to be a primary target and the offensive line will be led by Sr. Dominic Tii. The defense will be led by 2nd team all-district and Honorable mention All-State Jr. LB Jake Chambers. Chambers had an incredible Sophomore season and sure to be one of the top linebackers in the area this season. The Tigers return 2 in the secondary and will rely on some young players up front.

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LAKE TRAVIS Going into his 11th season as the leader of the Lake Travis football program Coach Hank Carter and his staff have achieved an overall record of 130-17 which includes 3 State Championships and two runner- up finishes. 2019 saw the Cavs play 15 games for the second straight year ultimately losing to North Shore. When asked about 2020 Coach Carter told IHSFAN, “I love the kids that we have coming back. We are going to utilize our guys the best we can to put the most competitive team on the field. We are so blessed that we have such incredible community support.” The Cavs will return 4 on Offense and 4 on Defense. The offense will be led by IHSFAN Top 10 Sr. QB Nate Yarnell. Other leaders on offense are Sr. RB Weston Stephens, Sr. TE Lake McRee, and 1st team all-district Sr. K Hays McCannon. The defense will be led by 1st team all-district DL Raleigh Erwin, Jr. DB Derrick “DJ” Johnson, Sr. DB Ifeanyl Ohalete, and Jr. LB Watson Cusick. As always, the district championship will most likely be decided on November 6th in the annual battle of the Lakes. Look for another deep playoff run for the 2020 Lake Travis Cavaliers.

WESTLAKE By Joe Taylor

The 2019 Westlake Chaparrals delivered the second state title in school history during Westlake High School’s 50th anniversary year. Coach Todd Dodge told IHSFAN, “The senior class will always hold a special place in my heart, they’re our first group since we came to Westlake. We are all they know as coaches and they trusted us, and that trust goes both ways. They absolutely earned this.” Sr. OL Christian McWilliams and Sr. OL Aidan Kinnaird will anchor the O-Line. Look for So. WR Jaden Greathouse and Sr. WR Luke Nicklos to help move the sticks catching passes from dual threat Jr. QB Cade Klubnik, who completed 77 percent of his passes last year. The defense will have unmatched experience in the backfield. Michael Taaffe earned the most valuable defensive player award for his performance in the state title game as a first-year starter. Lucas Mireur returns as perhaps the team’s best overall defensive player. Carter Barksdale, Ford Dickerson, Hunter Henault, and a host of players that all saw time last season will be challenged immediately with Southlake Carroll, Euless Trinity, and Dallas Jesuit on the non-district schedule. The best kept secret at Westlake is the kicking game. Kicker David Ledbetter scored more points than any other kicker in the nation and did not miss one extra point try as he provided much needed consistency in 2019.

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AKINS Coach Humberto Garza is heading into his 11th season at Akins. The Eagles finished last season at 2-8. Coach Garza told IHSFAN, “When you have Lake Travis and Westlake in your district it is tough. We are competing the best we can and we are always trying to improve every year and win some games when we can.” The Eagles will return 5 starters on offense and 6 starters on defense. Look for Sr. QB Quincy Welch to take the snaps and lead the Eagles offense. Other leaders will include Jr. RB Nick Davis, and 2nd team all-district Jr. OL Nick Hall. The Eagles will have to replace Four on the offensive line so several players will get their chance to shine. The defense should be the strength of the team as the entire secondary will be returning. Eagle Nation should look for the following leaders on the defensive side of the ball: Sr. DB Robert Mallet, Jr. DB Anthony Tijerina, Jr. DB Kimani Smith and Sr. DB Hang Tung. The Eagles D-Line will have a few new names that will get their opportunity.

BOWIE Coach Jeff Ables enters his 33rd overall season at Bowie (19th as head Coach) in 2020. Last season the Bulldogs, in their 15th straight playoff appearance, finished 5-6 losing in round 1 of the playoffs to Schertz Clemens. Coach Ables told IHSFAN, “We have overcome so much adversity over the past 2 seasons where we lost key players to injury; but nobody offered up any excuses. Everyone rallied around the injured players and were able to make the playoffs.” The Bulldogs will return 25 lettermen, 4 on offense and 6 on defense. The offense will be led by 1st team all-district Sr. WR Jason Gaines, look for Jr. QB Diego Tello and Sr. QB Evan Mallett to both get snaps as they did last season. Evan Mallett was involved in a serious auto accident in April and IHSFAN joins with the entire area high school football community in wishing him a speedy recovery. The defense will be led by 1st team all-district DB Jason Gaines, 2nd team all-district Sr. DB Thanio Bright, and Sr. DL Blake Guerra. Coach Ables told IHSFAN, “It is really hard how the way the end of the year happened with regards to the school closure. We will all be really excited when we get the green light to start the season.” Look for the Bulldogs to once again compete for one of the available playoff spots in this extremely competitive 26-6A eight team district.

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HAYS REBELS by Jake Herman

After finishing 6-2 in their district, the Hays Rebels made the playoffs in 2019 but were eliminated in the first round by Judson. “Our guys competed well and put up a valiant fight,” 3rd year Head Coach Les Goad told IHSFAN. “Had we played better earlier and converted some early opportunities; we could’ve played with them.” Coach Goad told IHSFAN that his team used early season comebacks against Dripping Springs and Bowie to gain confidence they lacked the year before. This led them to a successful 8-3 season. “We had a very unproven team playing on Friday nights, so gaining that early confidence was huge,” coach Goad said. “Those were very critical points in the season.” This season, the Rebels return three starters on their slot-T offense, including Sr. QB Durand Hill. Sr. OL 1st team all-district Jason Iwabuchi is the only returner up front, which Coach Goad says will pose a challenge. “We’re so undersized on both lines of scrimmage, but the improvement has to come there,” Coach Goad said. “Size is not the number one factor, but we have to overcome that with technique and physicality.” The Rebels will have several returning playmakers, including Sr. WR 2nd team all-district Bryant Lewis. Sr. DB 2nd team all-district Michael Boudoin and Sr. LB 2nd team all-district Zach Hobert will lead the defensive unit that returns 5 starters.

SAN MARCOS On April 13th Coach Mark Soto announced that he was taking the San Antonio Johnson High School coaching job. The Rattlers new coach will lead the squad in a new district 26-5A. After two years of playing in a district more in line with San Antonio schools San Marcos once again will be back in an Austin based district. After finishing 10-2 in the 2017 season, The Rattlers have had back to back 1-9 seasons. Leading rusher Jr. RB Benito Canales returns to the backfield. Look for Sr. QB Noah Stubblefield to be behind center this season. The Defense will be led by the leading returning tackler Sr. DB Kannon Webb and Sr LB Moses Alva.

AUSTIN HIGH Coach Mike Rosenthal heads into his 9th season as head coach of the Austin High Maroons coming off of a 4-6 record in 2019. When asked about this season Coach Rosenthal told IHSFAN, “We have a great group of kids returning. I am excited about the upcoming season. This group loves playing the game and they enjoy being around each other.” The Maroons will return 6 on offense and 9 on defense. The offense will be led by IHSFAN Top 10 player and 1st team all-district Sr. QB Charles Wright. Wright has a cannon for an arm and is a true student of the game. Other leaders on offense will be 2nd team all-district Sr. OL Harrison Donovan, and 2nd team all-district Sr. WR Nick Anderson. The defense returns a ton of experience and is will be led by 2nd team all-district Jr. DB Zach Mercado, Sr. DL Abrion Boudreaux, and Sr. DB Carlos TiemannDaniel. All Austin High Maroon games can be listened to on the IHSFAN Webcast Network this season via The Horn app or dedicated weblink via any smartphone, computer, or device with internet access.

DEL VALLE Coach Charles Burton enters his 8th season as Del Valle’s head coach with one of his most talented teams. The Cardinals will return 7 on offense and 7 on defense to a team that finished 5-5 last season in a district that included both a class 6A state runner-up AND a state champion. The offense will be led by IHSFAN Top 10 player and Co-offensive player of the year Sr. QB Jace Wilson. 1st team All-district Sr. RB Tavierre Dunlap will tote the rock and 1st team all-district Jr. WR Caleb Burton is a threat any time he touches the ball. The O-Line is anchored by 1st team all-district Sr. OL De’Kedrick Sterns and 2nd team all-district Sr. TE Dylan Gattis. This offense puts up video game-like numbers up and keeps area scoreboard operators on their toes. The Defense is led by defensive newcomer of the year and honorable mention All-State Jr. DB Kaleb Brown and 2nd team all-district So. DL Jayden Cofield who reminds Coach Burton of the great Del Valle DL Scale Igiehon who graduated in 2018. The Cardinals are LOADED and will be a handful for any team in the district. Look for Del Valle to lay claim one of the available playoff spots in 2020.

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CEDAR PARK Carl Abseck heads into his 6th season as head coach (16th overall) of the Timberwolves. In his 6 seasons he is an impressive 58-9 that includes 4 district championships and 1 State championship. Cedar Park finished 11-2 in 2019 and reclaimed the district championship that they lost to Hutto in 2018. When asked about 2020 Coach Abseck told IHSFAN, “We are very excited about the group of young men we have returning both in starting experience and those that contributed in relief last season. We feel like the experience, leadership, and talent on this team and believe it will give us a good shot week in and week out to “Finish the Fight”.” The Timberwolves will return 7 on offense and 7 on defense. The offense will be led by IHSFAN Top 10 player and district MVP Sr. QB Ryder Hernandez. Other leaders on offense include: 1st team all-district Sr. WR Josh Cameron, 1st team all-district Sr. WR Gunnar Abseck, and 2nd team all-district Sr. WR Preston Scott. The O-line will be anchored by Sr. OL Luke Williams and 2nd team all-district Sr. OL Nolan Seifert. The ‘Black Rain’ defense will feature Defensive newcomer of the year Sr. LB Shelby Battles, 1st team all-district Sr. DE Hunter Hewitt, 2nd team all-district Sr. S Josh Bretz, 2nd team all-district Sr. LB Luke Taylor, and 2nd team all-district Sr. DE Adam Higgins. The district championship goes through Cedar Park and we would not be surprised to see this year’s Timberwolves playing in Jerry World in mid-December.

ANDERSON Coach Dan Hunter, now in his 3rd season, will lead the Anderson Trojans into a new district in 2020 as enrollment numbers have placed the team in the new 11-5A D1. Anderson finished last season with an impressive 6-4 record in a district that produced a 6A state champ and another that was in the final four. Coach Hunter told IHSFAN, “It was a great step in the right direction. We are looking forward to the new very competitive district; we tend to perform well when the pressure is on.” The Trojans will return 7 on offense and 7 on defense. The offense will have to find a replacement for multi-year starter QB Carsten Groos who graduated. Look for the Trojans to feature one of the areas most underrated running backs in Jr. RB Coin Page. Other leaders on offense are: Sr. WR Grose Keil, Sr. TE Kelby Hickerson, and Sr. WR Joey Baron. The defense will be led by Jr. DB Will Fonken, Sr. LB Aidan Thompson, and Jr. DB Drew Birdsong. All Anderson Trojans games can be listened to on the IHSFAN Webcast Network this season via The Horn app or dedicated weblink via any smartphone, computer, or device with internet access.

MANOR

by Jake Herman The 2019 Mustangs won’t be forgotten anytime soon in Manor. After losing three straight games to end the regular season at 5-5, they reeled off three playoff wins to finish 8-6 before losing to eventual state champion Shadow Creek in the state quarterfinals at the Alamo Dome. New head coach James Keller, who is in his 16th season with the team, told IHSFAN, “We got healthy right when we needed to, and after we beat Dripping Springs in round one, we started to gain some confidence.” That confidence led Manor to rout Porter, setting up a regional final matchup with a Cedar Park team that crushed Manor in the regular season. But behind a defensive masterpiece and some offensive magic via the hookand-ladder, the Mustangs pulled the playoff upset by a score of 17-14. Coach Keller told IHSFAN, “We worked extremely hard, and we peaked at the right time. We were certainly a Cinderella story.” This season, the Mustangs must replace QB Matthew Hill, whose return from injury sparked playoff success. Sr. S 1st team all-district Devin Lamear played QB as a freshman and will compete for the job. The gifted safety has already received Division I offers for his defensive prowess. The Mustangs boast several other key returners that could propel them to a repeat of 2019’s success. 4 offensive linemen return for a unit that includes Jr. 2nd team all-district Max Diaz. Through the air, Jr. WR 2nd team all-district Carl Chester will be targeted often. Sr. DE 2nd team all-district Desionee Rich will be a problem for opposing quarterbacks.

LEANDER Coach Kris Price heads into his second season as head coach of the Lions. The Lions finished 0-10 last season in 13-6A. This season, with the new enrollment numbers, they will head to a new classification and district in 11-5A D1. Coach Price told IHSFAN, “Our previous district was tough and our new district is going to be equally tough. We are really excited and our kids feel good about having a little shake up.” The Lions will return 6 on offense and 8 on defense. The offense will be led by Sr. QB Garrett Landry who helped transition from a flex-bone offense to more of a spread offense last season. The defense will be led by Sr. LB Major Maydon and Sr. LB Dyron Dixon. Coach Price told IHSFAN, “The great thing about our kids is that they all have the expectation to do whatever is needed.”

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GEORGETOWN Coach Chuck Griffin finished his first season as the Eagles head coach with an 8-4 record losing in the second round of the playoffs to Richmond Foster. Coach Griffin told IHSFAN, “I was pleased coming in with the way our seniors handled the transition. Those guys did a great job of leading us to a great playoff run. I am so happy to be back at Georgetown; It is a special place.” The Eagles will return 8 on offense and 5 on defense. The offense will be led by 1st team all-district Jr. QB Darson Herman. Other leaders on offense will include: 1st team all-district Sr. RB Ryan Eady, 1st team alldistrict Sr. TE Jake McCown, 1st team all-district Sr. WR Brandon Bradford, 1st team all-district Sr. OL Connor Hefferman, 2nd team all-district Sr. OL Tre Flores, and 2nd team all-district Sr. WR Kade Locklin. The Eagles will have to replace 3 offensive linemen. The defense lost a ton of talent through graduation. They will be led by 2nd team all-district Sr. LB Dre Langhorne, 2nd team all-district Sr. DB Aaron Bizzell, and Sr. S Saul DeLaRosa. The staff will look to many young players who will get their opportunity to shine.

PFLUGERVILLE Coach Charles Taylor enters his 3rd season as the Pflugerville Panthers head coach. The Panthers finished 2-8 last season in a brutal district. Coach Taylor told IHSFAN, “We had a young team last year. We are returning most of our key players and we are hoping to continue to grow in year 3 of the rebuild.” The Panthers will return a ton of players. 9 on offense and 8 on defense. The offense will be led by IHSFAN Top 10 player and 1st team all-district Jr. RB Elijah Oakmon. Other leaders on offense are: Jr. QB Jaylon Reeves and 2nd team all-district Sr. OL Noah De la Torre. The defense will be led by a slew of 2nd team all-district selections that include: Sr. LB Dalin Weeks, Sr. LB Tony Cuturic, Sr. DE Josh Kruger, and Sr. DL Michael Estrada. Another leader on defense will be Sr. S Armon Fullman. Look for the Panthers to be much improved in 2020 as the experience gained last year will surely start paying dividends.

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HENDRICKSON Coach Chip Killian heads into his 13th season as head coach of the Hendrickson Hawks. As a result of realignment, the Hawks will head back to 5A as they have been assigned to 11-5A D1. The Hawks finished 2019 at 4-6. Coach Killian told IHSFAN, “Going into 11-5A D1 is not a whole lot different than the 6A district that we have been in. The district has some teams that have both won and played for State championships, and others that have gone deep into the playoffs. There are not going to be any off weeks when district play starts.” The Hawks return 5 starters on offense and 6 starters on defense. The offense will be led by 2nd team all-district Sr. WR Jaden Williams, 2nd team all-district Sr. RB Jasiya Demps, and Sr. QB Xavier Lucio. The Defense will be led by Sr. DB Tyree Reed, Sr. LB Ethan Bell, and Sr. DB Kylar Mahoney.

WEISS Within days after receiving the IHSFAN Coach of the year award in late January, Coach Tommy Aultman was promoted to Assistant AD for PFISD. On April 8th Coach Steve Van Meter was hired as the new head coach of the Wolves. After a short two-year retirement from a coaching career that has spanned 35 years, Van Meter decided to get back into Coaching. Coach Van Meter told IHSFAN,” I love being around the kids, I love the competition, and I love the practices. I am looking forward to help build on the great foundation that has been established at Weiss.” The Wolves head into their 3rd season of varsity competition coming off a tremendous 9-3 record that had them going 2 rounds deep in the playoffs. The Wolves return 8 on offense and 2 on defense. The offense will be led by 2nd team all-district Jr. QB Tavian Cord, 2nd team all-district Sr. RB Devin Cross, 2nd team all-district Sr. WR Curtis Meeks, 2nd team all-district Sr. C Diego Cruz, and Rr. WR Jeremiah Robinson. The defense will be led by 2nd team all-district Sr. DB Zane Tipton, Sr. DB Cursten Kennedy, and Jr. LB Shane Joseph. All Weiss Wolves games can be listened to on the IHSFAN Webcast Network this season via The Horn app or dedicated weblink via any smartphone, computer, or device with internet access.

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JOHNSON by Jake Herman

Bob Shelton Stadium will be a bit more crowded this season as the newly established Johnson Jaguars make the jump to the varsity level. Head Coach Steve Hoffman leads a group that is looking to build off of an 8-2 inaugural season at the JV level. “Last year, we grew a lot as a football team,” Coach Hoffman told IHSFAN. “We treated every game like it was varsity…even creating the atmosphere by bringing our cheerleaders and band members.” So. QB Jesse Medina returns under center after showing off his accuracy and potential in 2019. His favorite target is Jr. WR Richard Kelly, who Coach Hoffman said has a tremendous opportunity to play at the varsity level.

DRIPPING SPRINGS Coach Galen Zimmerman heads into his 6th season as head coach of the Tigers. In 2019 the squad finished at 9-2 with both losses decided by just 1 point. Coach Zimmerman told IHSFAN, “I was really pleased with our team chemistry. We really have a great group of guys that really enjoy playing together. Last season the team had the mindset that they were going to work hard each week.” The Tigers will return 7 on offense and 6 on defense. The offense will be led by district MVP Jr. QB Preston Alford. Other leaders on offense are: Sr. WR Cameron O’Banan, OL District MVP Sr. OL Jack Masters, 1st team all-district Jr. OL Valentino Bacelis, and second team all-district Sr. WR PJ Howe. The defense will be led by 1st team all-district Sr. DB Garrett Betts, 2nd team alldistrict Sr. DE Liam Dahl, Sr. LB Hunter Pierpoint, and 2nd team all-district Sr. DB Austin Hulon.

LEHMAN The Lehman Lobos are poised to improve with experience after a 1-9 season in 2019. 3rd year Head Coach Bruce Salmon’s team hung tough in the second half of several games but ended up going winless in their district. “We hadn’t had a lot of continuity coming into the season,” Coach Salmon told IHSFAN. “Young guys were playing both ways, and we were having to grow up in front of a varsity crowd.” This season, Lehman will move down to 5A and return 7 starters on each side of the ball. Joey Guajardo returns for his junior season under center, and he’ll have Jr. OL Adam Ortiz as a key presence at the line of scrimmage. So. RB Joey Mojica will assume a larger role in the backfield, and Sr. WR Elijah Reyes returns as a top target. Defensively, Sr. Isaiah Gonzales and Jr. LB 2nd team all-district Robert Vasquez have emerged as offseason leaders. Sr. P 2nd team all-district Marshal Du Kett also impacts the game with his ability to flip the field each time he is called upon. 52

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GLENN

By Allan Cepeda Fresh off of back to back playoff berths in their first two season as a varsity program, the Glenn Grizzlies are no longer the new kid on the block. They have proven they are here to stay! Head Coach Rob Schoenfeld will look to ride an experienced defense filled with depth this season, reminiscent of their 2018 district championship team. “This coming year, with our depth, we will look to keep a lot of guys fresh, have a lot of guys rotating in there and really being able to contribute for us», Schoenfeld told IHSFAN. Led by two-time, 1st team, alldistrict cornerback Dom Sullivan (‘21) and 2nd team, all-district defensive lineman Bryce Lesar (‘21), Glenn is primed for their third consecutive playoff berth. On offense, the Grizzlies lost eight starters, including starting QB Drew McGuire, WR Jarvis Henderson, the three-headed RB committee of Shamir Nichols, Julian Morris, Ron Stubblefield, and 3 offensive linemen. Glenn will lean on their explosive WR Jaidyn Simpson (‘21) who finished 2019 with 20 catches, 340 yards, four touchdowns and four plays of 50 yards or more. QB Noah Reichold (’21) and RB Trent Densing (’22) are also expected to lead the offense with the help of some very big offensive lineman moving into the starting lineup this season. Look for Glenn to compete for the district title by utilizing their depth, dipping into the talent pool of their JV program, which went 10-0 in 2019, as well as take advantage of a friendly travel schedule which has them playing seven games at AC Bible Stadium; which has seen them post a 7-1 record over the last two seasons.

ROUSE Josh Mann heads into his 13th season as the Raiders head coach. For the second time in 4 years Rouse’s shrinking school enrollment has placed them in a different classification, going from 6A in 2015, to 5A D1, to their new home in 13-5A D2. Last season Rouse finished 1-9 in one of the toughest districts in Texas. Coach Mann told IHSFAN, “This is going to be a big season for the program, we have a lot of talent returning on offense and have some guys ready to step into some big roles on the defensive side. We are all really excited.” The Raiders return 10 on offense and 5 on defense. The offense will be led by 2nd team all-district Jr. RB EJ Moore, 2nd team all-district Sr. WR Drew Henson, and 2nd team all-district Jr. TE Ben Armstrong. Other leaders will be Jr. WR Nick Hudson and Jr. WR Jalen Baccerra. The Defense will be led by Sr. LB Josh Hagen, Sr. DB Shakir Muhammad, and Sr. DB Aaron Brangan. 54

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EAST VIEW by Jake Herman

The East View Patriots finished 6-4 and earned a playoff berth in 2019. In his 2nd year as the head coach, Jerod Fikac will look to help the team take the next step. Coach Fikac told IHSFAN about the playoff game, “We played as hard as we could for 3 quarters and we had our chances, but some balls didn’t bounce our way late. I hope [our players] get some confidence in themselves and in this program because they can play with a lot of good teams.” On offense, the Patriots return 8 starters but must hold a competition to replace QB Jackson Coulson. Whoever wins the job will have a wealth of returning playmakers at his disposal. Sr. WR 1st team all-district Charles Ross is an explosive playmaker and Jr. TE 1st team all-district Jacob Martin is a reliable route-runner and matchup nightmare. Jr. RB 2nd team alldistrict RB Emarion Brooks will run behind a strong offensive line anchored by Sr. all-district linemen Cole Smith and McKinley McLaughlin. Returning just 4 starters, the Patriots defense will be young in 2020. They’ll lean on Sr. DB 1st team all-district Isaiah Quinton Jackson and Jr. LB 2nd team all-district Thomas Thornburg as leaders. Now that his defense is familiar with his 4-2-5 system, Coach Fikac hopes they’ll play faster and more physically in 2020 as the Patriots try and get back to the playoffs.

CONNALLY Coach Jason Cecil enters his 7th season at the helm of the Connally Cougars. The Cougars finished 1-9 in 2019. When asked about 2020, Coach Cecil told IHSFAN, “I expect to see improvement as we had about a dozen sophomores who started games for us last season and they all showed promise. In addition, the move from 5A D1 to 5A D2 will be good for our program.” The Cougars will return 8 on offense and 4 on defense. The offense will be led by 2nd team all-district Jr. QB Justin Santos. Other leaders on the offensive side of the ball will be 1st team all-district Sr. WR Dyson McGrew, Sr. WR Dyson McGrew, and 2nd team all-district Jr. RB/DB Phazzon Washington. The defense will be led by 2nd team all-district Sr. DL Millicent Greer, Jr. LB Trevonn Williams and Phazzon Washington. The Cougars were realigned in 5A D2 and should really benefit from competing against similar sized schools. Look for Connally to compete for a playoff spot in 2020.

ELGIN

By Jake Herman Coach Jens Anderson enters his 4th season at the helm for Elgin. The Wildcats are looking to get over the hump and make the playoffs after a 3-7 season in which they lost four games by single digits. “We lost a lot of close ones,” Coach Anderson told IHSFAN, “But I can’t remember a time where our kids didn’t fight and claw.” Despite only returning 5 original starters on each side of the ball, the Wildcats have several experienced contributors due to those injuries. Sr. QB Peter McFarlin returns under center after moving over from RB out of necessity the past two seasons. His dual-threat ability lends itself to empty set formations. Sr. RB 2nd team all-district Trey I’som will be prominently featured as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Sr. LB 1st team alldistrict Willie Simmons will anchor an experienced front seven

BASTROP By Jake Herman

The Bastrop Bears finished 6-4 but missed the playoffs in a rollercoaster 2019 season. 8th year head coach Todd Patmon told IHSFAN, “Our kids believed in our scheme, and that belief was tested. They had every opportunity to give up and they never did.” In the wake of their streaky 2019 season, Coach Patmon told IHSFAN that the focus of 2020 will be consistency in every facet of the team, which returns 5 starters on each side of the ball. Sr. Romello Flores Giles could move over from RB to play QB, but the job is still up for grabs. Sr. WR Jackson Jenkins returns as a top target through the air. Sr. DL 2nd team all-district Cayden Scott leads a defense that seemed to improve as last season went on. Coach Patmon said that Scott will also be deployed at RB in 2020 and will be a “key to the team’s early success.” Sr. CB Brett Rice will use his speed to shadow the opponent’s best receiver each week.

CEDAR CREEK On Jan. 9th Coach Jon Edwards resigned after 5 seasons as the Eagles coach. On March 9th Coach Bryan Hill took the reins after spending the past few years as Co-offensive coordinator for Smithson Valley. The Eagles finished 5-5 in 2019 and graduated one of the top defensive players in Texas in Alfred Collins. The Eagles offense will return two QB’s that each threw for over 800 yards in Jr. QB Tim Caldwell and Sr. QB Ty Pruett. Look for Sr RB Dominic Mojica to be the featured back. The defense returns 1st team all-district Sr. DL William Rangel and 2nd team all-district DL Ian Flowers.

MARBLE FALLS by Jake Herman

There may not be a team that changed their style as much as Marble Falls did in 2019. During coach Brian Herman’s first season, the Mustangs switched their offensive scheme from a pass-heavy spread to a run-heavy slot-T. This season, the Mustangs will understand their system better and try to learn from the growing pains shown in their 2-8 record last season. Jr. QB Jake Becker is among 5 returning offensive starters, including Sr. FB Hayden Hoover. Sr. TE Elijah Todd will also play an important role. “If a recruiter walks into the weight room, (Todd)’s the first one they look at,” Coach Herman told IHSFAN. “He’s a great technician and is improving as a blocker.” Improving up front has been a focus of the offseason for the Mustangs. Coach Herman told IHSFAN, “We need to teach our linemen to become people-movers rather than people-catchers. That’s going to take both toughness and discipline.” The Mustangs’ defense features Sr. DE 2nd team all-district Gabe Perez, who Coach Herman told IHSFAN is a hard worker with “the best motor of anyone in the program.” Sr. LB Mason Neal is another one of 5 returning defensive starters and serves as a leader of the unit. Keep an eye on Jr. S Ryan Minor, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2019. Coach Herman and his team are looking to end the Mustangs’ 10-year playoff drought, and they believe they can compete for a district championship.

TRAVIS

by Jake Herman The Travis Rebels are poised to take a step forward in 2020 after last season’s 2-8 showing. Joe Frank Martinez returns for his 7th year as head coach and 17th season with the team. Despite his team’s youth and inexperience, Coach Martinez told IHSFAN that buy-in and turnout improved significantly in 2019. “It was nice to add two wins to our total last season,” Coach Martinez told IHSFAN. “This year, we’ve got to get the little stuff right to give ourselves a chance.” The Rebels return 7 starters on an offense that struggled to execute in 2019. In order to jump start that unit, the Rebels hired alumnus QB Drew McGarrahan to take over as Offensive Coordinator. Sr. C Josh Vance and Jr. OT Fernando Abella lead the offensive line in front of QB candidates Sr. Cesar Galindo and Jr. Joel Gonzales. Travis keeps 8 defensive starters after a much-improved 2019 season on that side of the ball. They boast a pair of solid safeties, including Sr. S 2nd team all-district Nick Zake, a track athlete and running back who Coach Martinez called his “hardest-working player.” He’ll look to make an impact alongside Jr. S Daniel Vasquez, who also plays wide receiver.

NAVARRO By Jake Herman

The Navarro Vikings finished 1-9 last season but are looking to make some noise in 2020. It is year two for head coach Larry Lumbreras, who told IHSFAN he was proud of the way his team competed in 2019. “The kids consistently made it a point to finish the season,” Coach Lumbreras told IHSFAN. “We were in a lot of tough situations where games got out of hand, but our kids kept fighting.” Coach Lumbreras placed an emphasis on strength and conditioning this offseason. “Our kids have gotten stronger and faster,” Coach Lumbreras told IHSFAN. “This year, we’re trying to simplify things and just let our athletes be athletes.” Jr. QB Keillan Moore leads an offense that will return 5 starters in total. Moore works out of the shotgun and uses his speed to keep defenses honest. The offense should also benefit from the return of Sr. OT Angel Espinosa, who was injured in 2019 and is expected to anchor an otherwise inexperienced offensive line in 2020. The Vikings retain 6 starters on a defensive unit led by Sr. LB 2nd team all-district Jerel Porter. A raw athlete who also plays running back, Porter will line up as both an inside and outside linebacker.

NORTHEAST By Jake Herman

Entering his 3rd season, head coach A.J. Mustafa has the Northeast Raiders on the cusp of a long-awaited return to the playoffs. Last season, they finished 3-4 in district 12-5A and 3-7 overall. In late October, Northeast suffered a close 10-6 loss to McCallum that eventually cost them the fourth playoff spot in the district. Coach Mustafa told IHSFAN, “It was big that our kids got to be in contention that late and feel that playoff chase. Our kids felt it, sniffed it, and will be hungry to get there this year.” The Raiders will lean on 6 returning offensive starters and 5 returning defensive starters, although some are two-way players. Sr. RB and LB 2nd team all-district DeCorey Eason will look to build off of a solid finish to the 2019 season. Jr. RB 2nd team all-district Kawaski Latham’s elusiveness makes him the “lightning” to Eason’s “thunder.” Sr. LB Chris Perez and Jr. DB Aiden Small will serve as defensive leaders. Jr. QB J.T. Thomas will take over the offensive reins. Although he’ll have an inexperienced offensive line, Thomas can extend plays as a dual-threat QB. He’ll also benefit from the return of Jr. WR 1st team all-district Nick Hernandez, who Coach Mustafa called “a reliable possession receiver with great hands, who knows how to find the open space.” Coach Mustafa told IHSFAN he hopes that his young players improve in time for important district games late in the season that will determine their playoff fate.

CROCKETT Coach John Waugh heads into his 24th season as head coach of the Cougars. Crockett finished 2-8 last season. When asked how the recent events will affect the team Coach Waugh told IHSFAN, “It looks like we will have to hit the ground hard in August but we will need to be very careful as we get the kids ready to play as we were unable to have Spring workouts. We are excited to compete in the new district and look forward to competing for one of the playoff spots.” The Cougars will return 6 on offense and 6 on defense. The offense will be led by Jr. QB Michael Newton, Jr. RB Josh Early, and Jr. TE Xavier Chapa who will be playing both sides of the ball. The defense will be led by a pair of Sr. LB’s in James Harden (3-year starter) and Alan Lopez.

LIBERTY HILL As the 2019 calendar turned to November, the normally dominant Panthers had been anything but. With a 2-5 record and an injury-ravaged defense allowing over 31 points per game at the time, many wondered what was happening in Liberty Hill. Questions were put to rest when the Panthers reeled off five straight wins, sneaking into the playoffs and finishing at 7-6 after a loss in the regional finals of 4A-D1. 4th year Head Coach Jeff Walker told IHSFAN he is proud of how his team finished the season in the face of adversity. “It was one of the more trying years I’ve had as a coach,” Coach Walker said. “Nobody knew how to react as we started out rough, but our kids battled back.” With 15 of 22 starters returning, Liberty Hill is poised to make a splash in their 5A-D2 debut this season. The Panthers’ slot-T offense will feature senior RBs Trey Seward and Blake Simpson, who combined for nearly 300 yards per game last season. Their offensive line returns with an increase in size, led by Sr. OT Keegan Klaus-Ryan. Defensively, Jr. LB Andon Thomas returns as a leading tackler alongside Sr. LB Preston Shepherd.

MCCALLUM Coach Thomas Gammerdinger heads into his 3rd season as the head coach of the McCallum Knights. The Knights finished 2019 at 5-6 losing in the first round to Cedar Park. Coach Gammerdinger told IHSFAN, “Our last two graduating classes have been very small. I think I am most proud that regardless of the numbers and regardless of the situation the kids want to work hard and carry the torch of the program and make the playoffs.” The Knights will return 6 on offense and 6 on defense. The offense will be led by Jr. QB Jaxon Rosales, Jr. RB Brock Fanning, and an offensive line that will feature Jr. OL Johan Holmes and Jr. OL Braedan Price. The defense will be led by an experienced Sr. led defensive line with DL Connor Boggs and Caleb Green. The secondary will be led by Ez Guenther and Jake Hissey who both saw time last season.

LBJ – 13-4A D1 Coach Jahmal Fenner heads into his 3rd season as LBJ’s head coach. As a result of the separation of LASA and LBJ the new realignment has the Jags moving to district 13-4A D1. The Jags finished 8-3 last season. The squad will return 8 starters on offense and 7 on defense. Coach Fenner told IHSFAN, “Our goal for the 2020 season is to stay healthy and perform at a high level. Our expectation is to win no matter what the circumstances. The offense will be led by Offensive newcomer of the year Sr. WR Andrew Mukuba who is being recruited by a who’s who in college football. Other leaders on the offense will be Sr. RB Daqwon Donaldson, 1st team alldistrict Sr. WR Danny Davis, 1st team all-district Jr. WR Jay’breon Riggins, and a pair of 2nd team all-district Sr. OL in Ja’Kiem Maxwell and Treylin Needom. The defense will see the return of maybe the State’s best defensive back IHSFAN Top 10 player Sr. CB Latrell McCutchin who missed last season due to injury. Other leaders on defense will be Defensive MVP Sr. DE Brendon Jones, 1st team all-district Sr. S Andrew Mukuba, 1st team alldistrict LB Ja’Kiem Maxwell, an 2nd team all-district Sr. LB Vonte Sheff. It is all lined up for a DEEP run for the 2020 Jaguars. If the M&M duo (Mukuba and McCutchin) can stay healthy they could help lead LBJ to Jerry World.

EAST SIDE MEMORIAL - 13-4A D2 By Jake Herman

For the second straight season, a rebuilding East Side Memorial program struggled to an 0-10 record on the gridiron. Entering his 3rd season as the head coach, Luis Becerra III said that a culture change is underway within the Panthers’ offseason training program. In the weight room, the team has placed a newfound emphasis on accountability and individual responsibility for doing one’s job without making excuses. “We’re starting to understand what it means to be a program,” Coach Becerra told IHSFAN. “There’s a different level of commitment, and the kids are taking ownership.” Due to a combination of factors, the Panthers have faced the adversity of low participation since re-introducing their football program in July of 2018. Coach Becerra told IHSFAN that he and his staff are no longer “falling into the numbers trap,” adding that “with the kids we have now, at least we know we’re getting everything they have.” In addition to the 6 seniors and 6 sophomores in the offseason program, the Panthers will have several more players once scheduling conflicts are resolved. Sr. Skyler Nguyen will slide over to play QB this season behind an O-line anchored by Sr. LT Ali Al Zuhairi. Brothers Victor and Carlos Rosales-Leal join So. RT Jonathan Vega-Celis as key contributors and leaders up front. Sr. Nathan Escalante will lead the Panthers’ secondary.

2020 DISTRICT

PREDICTIONS Rick Epstein

Jeff Power

Rodney Rodriguez

25-6A

Vista Ridge Vandegrift

Vandegrift

26-6A

Lake Travis Lake Travis

Lake Travis

11-5A D1

Cedar Park Cedar Park

Cedar Park

12-5A D1

Dripping Springs

13-5A D2

Glenn

14-5A D2

Liberty Hill Liberty Hill

13-4A D1

LBJ

Liberty Hill LBJ 63

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