Cedar Park Stumbles On; Vista Ridge, Marble Falls Fall

By Sam Bohmfalk

Click to see how area quarterbacks stacked up.

Cedar Park 28, Smithson Valley 23

The Cedar Park Timberwolves rumbled, bumbled and fumbled their way into the third round, beating Smithson Valley 28-23 in a game in which the Timberwolves almost beat themselves. As they’ve done all year, the Cedar Park defense made the opposing offense look inept. Smithson Valley completed just 40% of its passes and rushed for only 34 points, but managed to stay in the game thanks to a Timberwolves rushing game that was all to happy to put the ball on the ground.

The Timberwolves exhibited a ground-it-out approach from the get-go—rushing 51 times on the night—but put the ball on the ground six times, losing three of those. The Timberwolves’ problems started late in the second quarter, when quarterback Brian Hogan injured his knee on a 1-yard touchdown run. Matt Posey, who had attempted just 16 passes all season, calmed the offense down and led it to 14 second-half points, just enough to overcome the Rangers.

San Antonio Alamo Heights 52, Vista Ridge 24

Alamo Heights scored 28 unanswered over a 12-minute span over the third and fourth quarters to turn a close 24-17 game into a route. Mules’ quarterback Steven Elder had his best game of the year, completing a remarkable 25 of 28 passes for 375 yards and four touchdowns. Down 31-17 in the fourth, Vista Ridge had three consecutive drives end in interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns as they fell to the Alamo Heights Mules, 52-24.

Boerne Champion 42, Marble Falls 28

When Marble Falls stacked the box against the Travis Rebels in their bi-district game, the Rebels were not able to take advantage through the air. Boerne Champion is no Travis, however. Quarterback John Free completed just seven passes, but three went for touchdowns including two in the last three minutes of the second quarter that re-established the Chargers’ 14-point lead, one that the Mustangs could not overcome for a second time.

The Mustangs made the game much closer than many thought it would be, considering the Chargers’ 24-point victory early in the season that was hardly close.  In this game, the Zed Woerner to David Morgan connection was working, but it was not enough for Marble Falls to overcome their foes from Boerne.

Area Round Preview: Alamo Heights vs. Vista Ridge

By Sam Bohmfalk

Alamo Heights Mules (left)  and  Vista Ridge Rangers (right) Touchdown Leaders

Vista Ridge bucked a trend last week, playing in its second consecutive blowout as they beat the Travis Rebels, 41-6. For the most part, the Rangers have kept games close, playing six games within ten points.

The Rangers’ offense runs through running back Chris Showels, who opened up the scoring in last week’s game with an 80-yard touchdown run. The question is not will Vista Ridge will run the ball but instead, can Alamo Heights stop it? The Rangers spread the carries around last week with seven different players receiving between two and eight carries en route to 298 rushing yards. Medina Valley had success running the ball against Alamo Heights last week, picking up 210 yards but putting the ball on the ground four times.

The Alamo Heights offense prides itself on ball control. Quarterback Steven Elder threw just two interceptions against 21 touchdowns this season, while completing just 58% of his passes.

The Mules rely on two running backs to move the ball down the field: William Thompson and Andy Brooks. Thompson is the every down back, who grinds it out to the tune of 4.8 yards per carry. Brooks is the big play back, who scored 13 touchdowns this season while averaging 7.1 yads per carry.

Vista Ridge held a potent Travis running game to just 128 yards on 38 carries, forcing them to go through the air on a windy, rainy night. If Alamo Heights is forced to rely on the ground game, Vista Ridge has a good chance at pulling the minor upset.

Series: The two teams have never played.

Prediction: This game will be close, because that’s how Vista Ridge plays. Alamo Heights will be too much though, winning a 35-24 grinder.