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: Cedar Park vs. Smithson Valley

By Sam Bohmfalk

Cedar Park warms up before a game. Photo by 50%chanceofrain.

LBJ quarterback Darius Collins proved that there are some holes to be found in the Cedar Park defense, as he rolled up 330 yards and a touchdown in last week’s game. The Timberwolves’ offense proved though, that it really doesn’t matter.

Cedar Park turned a 14-14 game into a laugher, riding the legs of quarterback Brian Hogan who finished with 299 yards and four touchdowns on the night. It was all part of a Cedar Park effort that saw the Timberwolves rack up 521 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

Points might be hard for Cedar Park to come by this week, as they are opposed by a Smithson Valley team that hasn’t allowed an offensive touchdown in five games, a span in which an interception return by Lockhart is the only blemish on a string of goose eggs. The Rangers held five of their eleven opponents under 100 rushing yards, a feat that may be hard to accomplish against the run-heavy Timberwolves.

The Rangers are a rush-first team themselves, with over 64% of their offense coming on the ground. They are led by running backs Lach Labanna and Lawrence Mattison, who have combined for 1905 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. The offensive gameplan is reminiscent of one from an earlier age, as both teams use the run to set up the pass. Quarterback Parker McKenzie may need to play like he did against Uvalde (11-12, 177 yards, TD) as the Cedar Park defense has proven to be adept at stopping the run this season.

Series: The two teams have never played.

Prediction: Cedar Park’s defense may be just as good as Smithson Valley’s, but I think their offense is what sets them apart. Cedar Park 27, Smithson Valley 21