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Henderson Engineers Celebrates Q2 Stadium’s One-Year Anniversary

Written by Russell Dowden on . Posted in SOCCER.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2022

Austin, Texas — Henderson Engineers, a national building systems design firm, celebrates the one-year anniversary of the June opening of Q2 Stadium, the first ever major league sports venue in Austin, Texas. The Kansas City-based company, which has offices in nearby Dallas and Houston, served as the lead engineer for the $260 million facility that is home to the Austin FC Major League Soccer (MLS) team. In providing architectural lighting, electrical, fire and life safety, mechanical, plumbing, security, and telecom design services, Henderson was keen on elevating the fan experience.

Most striking of all Henderson-designed features are the lighting systems, which enabled Q2 to be the first ever stadium worldwide to be constructed with tunable RGB LED lights from the ground up. As a result, all 402 light fixtures throughout the facility have color changing and color tuning capabilities. The stadium’s operations team can instantaneously shift the lights from white to more than 16 million unique colors, allowing them to illuminate the pitch, the stands, and even attendees in numerous hues and patterns.

“Most stadiums use fireworks to boost excitement, so it’s an amazing experience to watch everything around you change color to red, white, and blue during the national anthem, to rainbow when commemorating PRIDE Month, and so on,” explained Mischa Haramia, Henderson’s entertainment practice director who project managed the firm’s work on Q2. “Austin FC fans are ravenous, and the full-color-tunable lights are a great complement to the passion they show for their team at every game. The operations team also really loves the experience it provides, so much so that they host tours for the general public and other major league sports teams to specifically showcase the lighting.”

Adding to Q2’s stimulating atmosphere are several landscaped green spaces surrounding the stadium that serve as outdoor recreation areas on game days and public parks year-round. This includes a terraced 2,500 capacity amphitheater that doubles as a concert venue. To sustainably irrigate the greenery, excess rainwater is diverted from the soccer pitch via piping and pumping systems that were powered by Henderson and stored in nearby ponds, the stormwater catch basins designed by GarzaEMC, the civil engineer on the project. Henderson helped implement a HVAC condensate capture system that stores condensation in a holding tank and pumps it out to irrigate the landscaping as needed. Furthermore, the stadium’s electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems are fully equipped to allow the facility to install a SubAir System for the pitch if desired in the future to supply fresh air into the root zone to help maintain healthy turfgrass.

“In a relatively dry state like Texas, it’s important to make sure we’re using our natural resources responsibly,” noted Haramia. “We’re proud to have helped provide fans, families, and the surrounding community with beautiful green outdoor spaces that they can enjoy throughout the year while still limiting water usage. The amphitheater is an especially great addition in a city where live music is a beloved part of the local culture. And because we’re diverting rainwater, the City of Austin’s sewer systems are less strained whenever there’s unusually high rainfall or wastewater.”

For a seamless technological experience for fans and the operation team, Henderson provided a public distributed antenna system (DAS) and WiFi throughout the 465,000 square foot venue to boost connectivity and power key stadium technology features including a large LED videoboard. Given the rapidly evolving technological landscape, the systems are designed to be readily adaptable to future innovations.

“Social media, video, and other communication tools are an integral part of the modern sports experience, and we made sure fans are able to engage with the game and each other from virtually every location at the stadium,” said Haramia. “Our venue experts work on projects for every major sports league, giving us firsthand experience on how fast technology is changing and the steps we can take to keep up. So, we consciously provided Q2 with the flexibility to upgrade its WiFi systems, cellular network, and DAS without needing major infrastructure upgrades. That helps ensure the venue can remain at the forefront of tech for years to come.”

The Q2 Stadium project team included Gensler as the lead architect, Walter P Moore as the structural engineer, and Austin Commercial as the general contractor. The facility is LEED Gold certified by the U.S. Green Building Council owing to the sustainability efforts undertaken during design and construction.

Project photos and interview opportunities are available. If interested, contact Mike Achoki at [email protected] or 913-742-5145.

ABOUT HENDERSON

Henderson Companies, Inc. is the 100% employee-owned parent company of Henderson Engineers and Henderson Building Solutions. Henderson Engineers is a national building systems design firm with a wide array of engineering design services and a project portfolio representing a wide range of markets including business, community, retail, healthcare, and venue. Henderson Building Solutions is a construction management and commissioning services firm that provides a seamless bridge between design, construction, and ongoing maintenance. As Henderson, we combine engineering knowledge with in-the-field construction expertise to provide single-source design-build solutions for any project.

Founded in 1970 and 2013 respectively, we’re licensed in all 50 states (plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and British Columbia) and bring buildings to life through our 1,000 employees and 250+ PEs across 12 offices, including New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Nashville, Bentonville, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City (Lenexa, Kansas, and downtown Kansas City, Missouri), Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Our vision is to be the firm that builds a better world. We’ve diligently cultivated an inclusive, best-in-class work environment where people can reach their full potential. Our core values drive us to deliver unrivaled service and solutions that make us the team you want to partner with.

To learn more, visit our websites at www.hendersonengineers.com and www.hendersonbuilding.com.

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Henderson Building Solutions: Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

NY Jets select former Lake Travis WR Garrett Wilson in the 1st Round of NFL Draft

Written by Aaron Puffer on . Posted in NFL FOOTBALL.

With the 10th overall pick (acquired from the Seattle Seahawks) in the 2022 NFL draft The New York Jets to select Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson. The former Cavs Star will be a big target for franchise quarterback Zach Wilson in the 2022 season. On the small end as a wide a wide receiver at six feet and 183 pounds Wilson caught eight of his 13 targets that were deemed “contested” in 2021, per Pro Football Focus. With Wilson ability to his ball tracking, strong hands, timing and ability to react on the the ball, and his agility is a total package for any NFL QB!

Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson plays against Cincinnati during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

 

Jets fans will come to know what Lake Travis Cavaliers faithful have seen in the central Texas area 4 years ago with Garrets exciting play making ability, the Big Apple has something to cheer about on Sundays. Congratulations to the Wilson family.

#5 Garrett Wilson rushes for yards in Title Game in 2016.

Westlake win 3rd Straight Title

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

ARLINGTON — The Westlake Chaparrals have finished yet another season of Texas high school football unbeaten, unchallenged and unequaled.

Westlake (16-0) capped a rare three-peat after defeating Denton Guyer 40-21 Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington during the Class 6A Division II state championship game. The win gives legendary head coach Todd Dodge his second career three-peat, as he won in 2004, 2005 and 2006 with Southlake Carroll before claiming titles in 2019, 2020 and 2021 with the Chaps.

It was also the final game for Dodge, who steps away with Westlake riding an incredible 40-game winning streak.

“They’re going down in very rarified air,” Dodge said of his 2021 team. “To win back-to-back-to-back state championships, there’s only about five or six in the history of the state of Texas that have done it, and now we’re going to be a part of that.” 

Guyer (14-2) made things interesting with a quick flurry in the first half that led to a surprising 14-13 halftime lead. However, Westlake turned on the afterburners in the last 24 minutes to accelerate past Guyer for good. 

The Chaps outscored the Wildcats 27-7 after intermission to hoist yet another championship trophy. 

“That was gritty,” Doddge said of his team’s effort in the second half. “I knew these kids had it in them. I knew they were not going to leave this three-year window and be remembered as a team that folded after one bit of adversity. They believed and they fought their tails off against a great Guyer team.”

Wildcats quarterback Jackson Arnold twice answered Westlake scores in the first half, as he ran in a 15-yard touchdown before finding Jace Wilson on a 9-yard score that put Guyer up by a single point at intermission.

The Chaps regrouped out of the locker room and saw Cade Klubnik hit Bryce Chambers for a 15-yard TD pass to give Westlake a 20-14 lead. Guyer rebounded and vaulted ahead once again following a 6-yard scoring run by Arnold, but the Wildcats were held in check for the remainder of the contest.

Meanwhile, Klubnik began to cook.

Arlington, TX; Westlake Chaparrals quarterback Cade Klubnik (6) throws a pass against the Guyer Wildcats during the first quarter at the Class 6A Division 2 state championship playoff on Saturday, Dec 18, 2021, at AT&T Stadium.

After Charlie Barnett set a new state championship game record with a 53-yard field goal to give the Chaparrals a 23-21 edge, the senior signal caller ended the third period with a 69-yard TD strike to Jaden Greathouse.

Klubnik then opened the fourth with a back-breaking score in which he found Greathouse for a 71-yard TD. Mark Sayegh tacked on a late field goal as Westlake cruised to a 19-point win in front of more than 32,000 fans in Arlington.

Klubnik finished the game 14 of 21 passing for 280 yards and four TDs, while Greathouse hauled in seven passes for 236 yards and three scores while setting a new state championship record for receiving yards in a contest and earning Offensive Player of the Game honors.

Klubnik added 66 rushing yards on eight carries.

Westlake’s defense also made history by tying a single-game state championship record with nine total sacks. The Chaps saw defensive ends Colton Vasek and Ethan Burke tally three and two sacks, respectively. 

As for Dodge, he said after the game it’s time for him to finally enjoy some family time after helping Westlake build one of the most dominant dynasties in Texas history.

“I’ve got three beautiful grandchildren in the DFW area and I want to be a pawpaw and be around those guys,” Dodge said. “Elizabeth and I, at least here for a little while, are going to act like we’re retired.”

Arlington, TX; Westlake Chaparrals head coach Todd Dodge rallies his team before the game against the Guyer Wildcats at the Class 6A Division 2 state championship playoff on Saturday, Dec 18, 2021, at AT&T Stadium.

The Brotherhood of Austin FC

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in SOCCER.

The inaugural season of Austin’s first major league soccer team, the Austin FC, was met with overwhelming excitement and support. From the building of the $260 millon brand new Q2 stadium to the fifth highest ranked attendance in the MLS with an average of over 20k fans a game, Austin showed it is more than just a college football town.
With the final match of a 34-match season over, the outcome was less than Austin had hoped for. With a record of 9W-4D-21L for the regular season the team and coaching staff have a lot to reevaluate over the off-season, before the start of the new MLS regular season on Feb 26th

2022 (getting an earlier start than the previous year in order to finish before the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar).
The club started with a decent roster and later added a few feathers to it’s cap. Some of the top players include: Sabastián Driussi, a striker from Argentina, who came from the Argentine Primera División and Russian Premier League coming in mid-season with a $2.7 million contract. Cecilia Domínguez, a winger from Paraguay, who played for Sol de América, Cerro Porteño, América and Independiente. Tomás Pochettino a midfielder from Argentina, who played for Boca Juniors and Talleres. Diego Fagúndez, attacking midfielder from Uruguay who came from MLS New England Revolution.

Alexander Ring, a midfielder from Finland, who came from MLS New York City FC. Jared Stroud, a forward from New Jersey, who came from New York Red Bulls II.Austin FC is coached by Josh Wolff. Born in Georgia, the 44 year old is a former player having played on Chicago Fire, Kansas City Wizards, 1860 Munich and D.C. United. Wolff retired and began as an assistant coach for D.C. United in 2012. From there he was an assistant coach for Columbus Crew SC for four years.


Wolff stated at the close of their last home game of the season, “We are a resilient bunch. We lost more games then we should have. We’ve done a great job of building and bringing this organization in to the community and league. We are an expansion team, there is a level of expectation I had with this season. We performed in some areas and certainly under performed in others. Getting better is the priority.”


There were some notable highlights this season which includes: Beating Colorado Rapids 3-1 (4/24) with goals from Fagundez, Domínguez(2), Austin’s first ever win. Beating Minnesota United FC 1-0 (5/1) with a goal from Fagundez. Beating the Portland Timbers 4-1 (7/1) with goals from Gallagher, Fagundez, Ring, and Jimenez. Beating the Huston Dynamo 3-2 (8/4) with goals by Pochettino(2), Domínguez. Beating the Portland Timbers 3-1 (8/21) with goals from Domínguez, Fagundez and Driussi. Beating the LA Galaxy 2-0 (9/26) with goals from Djitté and Gaines. Beating Real Salt Lake 2-1 (10/2) with both goals from Cecilia Domínguez. Beating the Houston Dynamo 2-1 (oct 24th) with goals by Maric and Drussi. Beating Sporting Kansas City 3-1(Nov 3rd) with goals by Driussi, Cascante and Stroud, for their final home game of the season.


A key component  to some of these victories and a fan favorite for the Austin FC club is Brad Stuver, a goalkeeper from Ohio, who came from MLS New York City FC. Stuver, who played in 32 matches this season has a total of 137 saves.
In a letter to the fans Stuver writes, “Although results on the field have not been where we’d like them to be, we cannot put into words how grateful we are knowing we have your support. Every time we put on the Austin FC crest, we know that we are playing for all of you. We know that we represent more than just the name on the back of the jersey, we represent the crest displayed on our chest. The same one you wear on yours.


Austin FC is more than just players. It is more than the technical staff. It is more than the stadium, the training ground, the supporters’ section, the banners, and the songs. It is more than what people assume we are. Austin FC is about the culture, and the direct representation of the community we call home.”


Stuver closed with, “We are a tight-knit group of people who look out for one another, we stand by each other regardless of the circumstances and we rally behind each other in the good times and the bad. We embrace the road ahead knowing that it will not be easy, but we face that challenge with hundreds and thousands of people at our side willing to battle for one another.” 


Although this was not a winning season, don’t overlook the impact of the fans, they are huge part of the morality of this team. The Verde fan section is a group of die-hard fans that will see Austin FC through the darkest of times and will celebrate every victory with infectious eruptions of elation.Through every home match this group of people whole heartedly cheer, sing songs, exult and support for the full 90 mins. With painted faces, loud voices and a love of the game these dedicated fans are reason enough to attend a match in person. At the end of home matches the players unite on the field, many of them with their children, to interact with the fans and celebrate this new Verde community.


Head coach Josh Wolff had this to say about the season, “Our last game at Q2 and I am extremely proud of our players. Really proud of this organization, obviously it has been an exciting, long year. We did not get the results we wanted at home, but our fans, support and community have been behind us from the outset. It’s been incredible to see that, it’s been incredible to fuel that and to be a part of this organization. Nothing but love for our supporter section, they are the heartbeat of this team.”


We have so much to be proud of with this club, but it starts with our fans and community.
We are going to get better. We are going to add players. We are already a competitive team. We have to get more consistent and more ruthless and those things will be welcomed in 2022.”

The Greatest High School Football Game Ever Played

Written by Daniel Jones on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

It’s approaching midnight on November 26, 1994.

The game is winding down, and many of the 40,000-plus fans at Irving’s Texas Stadium have left. 

With the Plano East Panthers trailing them 41-17 in the Region II semifinal in class 5A Division II, the Lions of Tyler John Tyler High School (John Tyler) are thinking beyond the next round of playoffs. Instead they’re dreaming of a state championship “Basically, the game was over. It was in our control,” John Tyler quarterback Morris Anderson told D Magazine in a November 2014 article. “And all we had to do was finish it out.”

His teammate, kicker Nico Hernandez remembers their coaches coming down from the press box. The Lions even put in their second-team defense. Both teams had come into the game with 12-0 records.

Plano East was a blue-collar group with a few all-stars peppered in, John Tyler basically a track team in football uniforms. Opponents feared their defenses. That season, John Tyler had been giving up, on average, about 14 points a game; Plano East less than nine. The Associated Press ranked Plano East No. 2 in the state poll; John Tyler at No 3. 

It had been a relatively close game up until this point. 

The Lions came into the fourth quarter with just a seven-point lead (24-17), soon after scoring a field goal to put the score at 27-17. Toward the end of the quarter with the Panthers on first and goal, the aggressive John Tyler defense stripped the ball away from Plano East quarterback Jeff Whitley. The Lions recovered the resulting fumble, and returned the ball 90 yards for a touchdown. 

The Lions were by now ahead 34-17. Four minutes and 24 seconds remained in the game. “Then the next series,” Whitley said in the same article, “I dropped back to pass, they hit me, I fumble, and they [ran] it back for another touchdown. I mean, I was just devastated.”

Now the game is looking like a blowout.

The Lions lead 41-17, only three minutes and three seconds left to play. “Why the hell am I going back in this game?” Whitley said, admitting he expected the backup quarterback to come in at this time. “We thought it was over.”

But the Panthers are relentless, scoring on a two-play 70-yard drive, but miss the two-point conversion. The score is now 41-23, the Lions still holding on to the lead. Only two minutes and 36 seconds on the clock.

Then a little bit of Texas football magic.

Terence Green, Plano East’s wide receiver, is filling in for the usual kicker who had been booted from the team the week before. Green, in the final minutes of the game, executes three consecutive onside kicks. 

Again that’s … Three. Consecutive. Onside. Kicks. (Green also caught a touchdown pass that brought the score to 41-23, and set up another touchdown with a 44-yard catch). And each time, Plano East – magically, unbelievably – not only recovers the ball but also drives it down the field for touchdowns.

Green later told D Magazine it was his first time doing onside kicks. “I did it with my toe. I toe-punched the ball. You don’t ever see someone toe-punching an onside kick, it’s always soccer style,” he said. 

“But I was just thinking, ‘Hey, get this thing end over end, then change the speed up on them. See what we can do.’ I was wanting to get that end over end, almost like a ground ball in baseball. A bad hop can pop up and hit you in the mouth.” The first Plano East touchdown takes six plays, then a two-point conversion. They still trail 41-31 with a minute and 29 seconds left. 

The second requires another six plays but ends with a failed two-point conversion, bringing the score to 41-37. There are just 56 seconds to play. An extra point follows Plano East’s final touchdown, a pass from Whitley coming in just three plays. Only 24 seconds remain in the fourth quarter as the Panthers take the lead, 44-41.

“I just remember thinking that I have never seen – from the field looking up into the stands – people going that crazy,” Whitley said. “It was a surreal moment. … I guess after the second onside kick, and then we score, then you start saying, ‘Lord, if we get this, then we’ll probably win this game.’ ”

But in the final seconds of the game, there is quite the twist. 

On his final kickoff, Green sends the ball high into the air. It falls into the hands of John Tyler kick returner Roderick Dunn, who had already mishandled two of Plano East’s onside kicks. 

Lions coach Allen Wilson, also in the D magazine article, said he thought the ball was going over Dunn’s head. “Rod could’ve just looked at it and let it go out the back of the end zone. But instead he goes back and fields it on the three-yard line. The rest is history.”

Dunn then runs the ball up the field 97 yards for a touchdown with 11 seconds left on the clock, the only touchdown of his entire high school career. Truly amazingly, John Tyler has taken back the lead at 48-44.

In the final seconds of the game, Plano East’s brief possession ends in merely two plays with an interception, and the Lions win the game.

And then the state title. The Lions then won the Class 5A Division II championship, beating Lake Highlands, Arlington and, finally, Austin Westlake in the title game.  The game was such a powerful story that it won ESPN’s 1995 ESPY Award as Showstopper of the Year.

Coach Wilson, in the same article, said the game wouldn’t have the same resonance it does today if the winner hadn’t went on to win the state title. “It lives in the lives of the kids who were there, the fans who were there. They relive it, probably not every day but periodically,” Archie McAfee, then the Plano East principal, told D Magazine. 

“When they watch another team get down, they think, ‘Aha. Maybe this will be another Plano East-John Tyler comeback.’ It gives people hope that things like this can happen.”

Desoto rolls past Harker heights

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

WACO — Killeen Harker Heights made a first-round exit on Thursday, Nov. 11 following a 65-28 loss to state power DeSoto in a Class 6A Division I playoff matchup at Waco ISD Stadium.

The Eagles (10-2) soared to a commanding lead in the first half, striking for 21 points in the opening quarter and another 24 in the second to head into halftime up 45-14 against the Knights (9-2). Harker Heights tacked on two more touchdowns in the final stanza, but DeSoto’s offense countered with 20 points to secure the rout.

The Eagles rolled up 603 yards in the game and were led by quarterback Matthew Allen, who was 19 of 27 passing for 209 yards and four TDs. Allen added 81 rushing yards, and teammate Christopher Henley Jr. led the ground game with 95 yards and a pair of scores on 23 carries. 

DeSoto’s aerial attack competed a pass to 10 different receivers against Harker Heights, with junior Johntay Cook Jr. hauling in three passes for 51 yards and two scores to lead the committee. Freshman Daylon Singleton caught a 50-yard TD during the lopsided win.

The Knights were led by junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford, who ran for 151 yards and a score on 21 carries. Sophomore QB Dylan Plake was 14 of 28 passing for 124 yards and three TDs, and his top target on the night was senior Marcus Maple, who made eight receptions for 63 yards and a score.

The Eagles advanced to the area round, where they defeated Rockwall 49-28. DeSoto moves on to face Houston Westfield in the regional round of the 6A DI postseason.

Thompson Trumps Card after Rice win

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS, UT FOOTBALL.

Is it Casey Thompson’s time, or will hometown product Hudson Card be the first signal caller to throw a pass during the Steve Sarkisian era?

That question has been on the forefront of Longhorns fans’ minds ever since Sark arrived on the 40 Acres to take over a program that has once again fallen stale — this time under the watch of purported savior Tom Herman. 

Thompson, a 6-1, 195-pound redshirt junior from Oklahoma City, appears to have the inside track due to his maturity level and eye-popping performance in the 2021 Alamo Bowl. After Sam Ehlinger was forced to leave the game with a shoulder injury, Thompson stole the spotlight and went 8 of 10 passing for 170 yards and four touchdowns as Texas romped to a 55-23 win over former Big 12 foe Colorado. 

A strong case for Card can be presented as well, though. The 6-2, 195-pound redshirt freshman from Lake Travis was a high school All-American that has the accuracy and timing necessary to bring the Longhorns’ passing game to life and convert key third downs.

During the annual Orange-White spring game, it was Thompson that got reps with Texas’ first-string skill players, but Card had arguably the better showing, which provided even more mystery to the position battle as the season draws closer.

Don’t expect Sark and his staff to rush to a decision. The competition will likely fuel both players and will also give the Longhorns a backup who’s instantly capable of stepping in should injury or ineffectiveness force a QB switch.

“I think we’ve got two frontline guys to start the process,” Sarkisian said of Thompson and Card. “I do like the maturity of [Thompson]. I like what he brought in the bowl game — you got a pretty good feel. We’ve obviously dug into a lot of practice tape. I like the skill set of Hudson Card. I think he’s a really talented player, and you see that when you dig into the tape.”

Photo UT Athletics

Thompson and Card each have solid mobility, but Thompson looks to be the more durable ballcarrier if he chooses to pull the pigskin down and take off downfield. That could provide an edge for Thompson as the Longhorns’ passing game rebuilds around wide receivers Josh Moore, Jordan Whittington and Troy Omiere and tight ends Cade Brewer and Jared Wiley.

A dual-threat player under center would also draw more eyes from opposing defenders and potentially make sophomore running back Bijan Robinson even more dangerous out of the backfield.

Both QBs will look to transition to Sarkisian’s run-pass option style attack that prioritizes quick hands and accuracy. The intangibles — like competitive drive and leadership — will also be tested as the Longhorns search for their new field general prior to Sept. 4’s season opener at DKR against Louisiana-Lafayette.

But even when a decision is made on who will be taking the first snaps of 2021, different questions will just replace the old ones — how much confidence does Sarkisian’s staff have in its starter, and if things go awry, how soon would a potential change be made?

In reality, the battle between Thompson and Card was decided after the Arkansas loss amd the winner of the job enjoying success is Casey Thompson. The eyes of Texas will be upon both players even though CT looks to remain a starter moving in this weeks home game versus Tech. Coach Sark hopes that the two QBs can prove both are the right one to help bring the Longhorns back to national prominence.

Vandegrift Football off to great Start

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

The Vandegrift Vipers have already served notice to the rest of Class 6A that their program is an up-and-coming powerhouse in Central Texas.

While most teams hang their hats on an explosive air-raid attack or a dominant running game, Vandegrift is taking the opposite approach. Head coach Drew Sanders’ Vipers have become known for their suffocating defense, which has led to three district championships in the past four seasons.

Defeating Cedar Park this season 42-7 in week 1, Killeen Ellison 31-14 in Week 2 and San Angelo Central 45-13 in week 3 the vipers kicked off district play with a defeat of Stony Point 56-21 off to a 4-0 start.

During the pandemic-riddled 2020 campaign, Vandegrift finished second in District 25-6A behind a resurgent Round Rock team that stunned the state by taking out Lake Travis in the first round of the 6A Division I postseason. This year, Sanders and his retooled defense will look to regain their form following a fourth-round playoff exit against Hays in early January.

The Vipers graduated each of their top five tacklers from last season, but there’s no shortage of depth for Vandegrift. Along the front line, senior defensive end Tucker Harrison returns after a stellar year in 2020 that saw him register 79 tackles, five sacks and four forced fumbles en route to earning all-state honorable mention. Harrison will likely be joined at the point of attack by junior Oliver Yndo, senior Sterling Emerson, senior Lucas Cummings and senior Cristion Davis.

The linebacking corps will search for replacements for the trio of Austin Skoglund, Logan Arnold and Michael Mastrodicasa, who combined to make 342 total stops in 2020 while finishing as the team’s top three tacklers. 

However, there’s plenty of experience back in the secondary, which is led by senior Jaxon Oliver, senior Griffin Shaffer, senior Clayton Moore and versatile senior Reece Beauchamp, who might see more time on offense in 2021. Oliver tied for the team lead in interceptions last year with three.

Vipers Defense in 2020 gang tackel a Round Rock Dragon runner in last years game.

Beauchamp could end up taking the reins for 2021 graduate Ryan Back at quarterback — or perhaps it will be junior Brayden Buchanan. Whichever player settles into the signal caller role will allow the other to become an instant play-maker in a different spot, whether it be at wide receiver or in another position. 

The starting running back job appears locked up, as senior Ryan Sheppard returns after leading the team with 922 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. Sheppard is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield, as he made 13 catches a year ago.

Along the O-line, the Vipers will reload with one of the top groups in District 25-6A despite seeing only one starter — Ethan Barnard — return. Barnard is set to move from guard to center as a senior, and help is expected to be provided up front by senior Juan Gutierrez, senior Luke Collins and junior Ian Reed, who is a budding collegiate prospect at tackle.

When league play rolls around, the Vipers will look to battle past Round Rock and reclaim their familiar perch as district champs. Challenges from Hutto, Stony Point and Cedar Ridge are also expected, but Sanders’ team looks to have the inside track in the race for 25-6A’s top spot.

Vandegrift’s first 11 seasons of varsity competition have yielded an overall record of 94-40, and the Vipers’ 4-6 campaign back in 2010 — the program’s inaugural year — remains the lone losing season in school history. 

Baylor Bears win Title over Gonzaga:

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

Baylor’s magical run throughout the 2020-21 season ended up looking a lot like Matthew Mayer’s signature hairstyle — business in the front, party in the back.

The Bears paved the way for their championship season with hard work, discipline and attention to detail — but following an 86-70 win over Gonzaga in the national championship game, it was finally time to let loose.

Mayer’s mullet was just one of many memorable symbols along Baylor’s ride to glory in Indianapolis. The former Westlake standout transformed into a vital part of head coach Scott Drew’s bench and showcased his soft touch from beyond the arc in addition to his on-court IQ.

With the Bears’ front-court stacked with talented guards, Mayer carved out a role as a reliable scorer who remained ready to dive into the dirty work whenever necessary. The junior averaged 8.1 points per game this season while also adding 112 rebounds and 36 steals.

The former Chaparral shot 39.5% from beyond the 3-point arc, allowing him to be a deadly screener in the pick-and-pop game.

Mayer got an early taste of high-level basketball while playing for head coach Robert Lucero at Westlake. His teammates included current Longhorn Brock Cunningham and UTEP’s Keonte Kennedy, who transferred from Xavier. Mayer had plenty of offers, including from the University of Texas, but the 6-foot-8 small forward found a home in Waco and began honing his skills under Drew, who is undoubtedly one of the top college coaches in the nation.

Mayer was a contributor almost immediately off the bench and averaged 4.6 points per game as a true freshman. In his sophomore campaign, Mayer put in 4.8 points per contest.

His role expanded dramatically this season as the Bears overcame a COVID-19 break to turn on the afterburners in the final few weeks. After Baylor fell to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament, Baylor reeled off six straight wins on the country’s biggest stage to capture the program’s first-ever national championship.

Mayer was an instrumental part of the ride, which ended with an eye-opening performance against the previously-unbeaten Bulldogs of the West Coast Conference. Chalk up another win for the Lone Star State.

Austin Spurs fall to the Santa Cruz Warriors

Written by Russell Dowden on . Posted in NBA.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2021) – The Austin Spurs fell to the Santa Cruz Warriors by a final score 109-104 on Sunday.

Cam Reynolds put up a team-high 20 points for Austin. Anthony Mathis contributed 19 points and 4 rebounds for the Spurs, and Khyri Thomas finished with 18 points and 5 rebounds.

Sacramento Kings flex assignee Robert Woodard II posted a double-double for Austin with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Santa Cruz was led by Nico Mannion, who had 27 points. Nate Hinton recorded a double-double for the Warriors with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

The 2021 Austin Spurs season is presented by SWBC.

NEXT UP

The Spurs will take on the Long Island Nets on Tuesday, March 2 at 2 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Southwest, and fans can stream the game via FOX Sports GO or ESPN+.