Central Texas’ high 2024 preseason groups: No. 5 Vandegrift

A better have a look at the Vandegrift Vipers, the No. 5 staff in our Central Texas preseason countdown:

No. 5 Vandegrift

2023: Vandegrift went 10-1, 7-0 in District 25-6A (1st). After an unbeaten common season, the Vipers had been surprised by Lake Travis 13-10 within the bi-district spherical of the playoffs, their earliest postseason exit since 2018.

2024: The primary purpose is to win District 25-6A for the third straight 12 months. Whereas Spherical Rock and upstart McNeil may current a problem, it is onerous to wager towards the Vipers. At Vandegrift, making a bid for the college’s first state title stays the highest purpose. The protection, which was certainly one of Class 6A’s finest, needs to be stable once more behind all-district linemen Daeshon Morgan and Ian Witt. RB Brendan Fournier is crucial to the offense; he rushed for 665 yards and 11 touchdowns final 12 months.

Vandegrift coach Drew Sanders leads his players off the field following practice Thursday. The Vipers are again expected to be one of the Austin area's top teams this season.

Notable losses: Two-time All-Central Texas WR Miles Coleman, QB Deuce Adams, LT Blake Frazier, S Alex Foster and LB Diego de la Vara Vazquez

In regards to the Vipers: The keys to the offense have been handed to incoming junior QB Miles Teodecki, who led the JV staff to an unbeaten report final fall. Among the many playmakers who head coach Drew Sanders mentioned will make a distinction are WRs Brock Chilton and Gavin Koester. The protection needs to be stellar once more. Two gamers anticipated to have breakout years are defensive backs Aidan Jones and Hollister Stephens, who performed effectively when Foster was injured early final season.

Betcha did not know: Sanders is called a wonderful soccer coach, however earlier than that he was a defensive finish at Hardin-Simmons from 1993-97 beneath Jimmie Keeling, the college’s all-time winningest coach. Sanders was named to the convention all-academic staff 3 times. He started his teaching profession at Mexia Junior Excessive in 1998. That wasn’t a shock, provided that he graduated from Mexia Excessive College.

Key recreation: Vandegrift vs. Spherical Rock, Nov. 10 — A doable district championship and playoff seeding may be on the road when the Vipers and Dragons meet within the remaining recreation of the common season.