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: Boerne Champion vs. Marble Falls

By Sam Bohmfalk

Boerne Champion (left) and Marble Falls (right) Offensive Production.  Click to enlarge.

When Marble Falls wins, they win big, as evidenced by their 28-point margin of victory in wins.  Conversely, when they lose they do it in a big way, generally finishing 24 points behind the opposing team.  Such was the case in week 4 when they fell to their area opponent Boerne Champion, 31-7.

In that game, Champion quarterback John Free bested Marble Falls’ Zed Woerner, completing an impressive 68% of his passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 42 yards on the ground.  Woerner, on the other hand, struggled to an 11-22 line with 128 yards, losing 31 yards on 16 rushes.

Thus far this season, Champion has relied on its offense to outscore the opponent, which is not a bad bet with a quarterback like Free.  On the season, Free threw for over 2,100 yards with an 8 : 1 touchdown to interception ratio, while adding 19 more touchdowns on the ground.  Free has been adept at spreading the ball around, with three separate receivers having at least 400 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

The onus will be on the Mustangs’ defense to stop the dual threat Free and his many weapons.   Last week, Marble Falls jumped out to a quick 26-0 lead, effectively shutting down the Crockett rushing game and forcing them to go through the air.  If Marble Falls wants a different result from their week 4 game, they’ll want to force the Chargers to become one dimensional.

Prediction: Different week, same result.  Woerner should have a little more success against a Chargers defense that has struggled of late, but John Free and Boerne Champion will simply be too much.  Boerne Champion 42, Marble Falls 14