SPORTS

10 storylines for Central Texas football 2019

What is the best rivalry in Central Texas? Cantu: It’s been one-sided lately but Burnet-Liberty Hill is a true backyard brawl. I can still remember when the Palace on Parmer was packed an hour early when these teams met in the playoffs. These teams are tight. Former Liberty Hill coach Jerry Vance said, “Our players date their cheerleaders and their players date our cheerleaders.” Jones: Westlake and Lake Travis haven’t played long enough to earn this distinction, since a legitimate high school rivalry requires at least one granddad on the home side of the stands to have played another on the visitor’s side. So I’ll take Giddings and the best offense in District 12-4A DII against La Grange and the district’s top defense. PHOTO: Darren Carroll for AMERICAN-STATESMAN Burnet vs. Liberty Hill football. Liberty Hill's #33 Morgan Amthor is tackled by Burnet's #72 Ruben Salinas in second quarter action on Nov. 5, 2010.
What is the best rivalry in Central Texas? Cantu: It’s been one-sided lately but Burnet-Liberty Hill is a true backyard brawl. I can still remember when the Palace on Parmer was packed an hour early when these teams met in the playoffs. These teams are tight. Former Liberty Hill coach Jerry Vance said, “Our players date their cheerleaders and their players date our cheerleaders.” Jones: Westlake and Lake Travis haven’t played long enough to earn this distinction, since a legitimate high school rivalry requires at least one granddad on the home side of the stands to have played another on the visitor’s side. So I’ll take Giddings and the best offense in District 12-4A DII against La Grange and the district’s top defense. PHOTO: Darren Carroll for AMERICAN-STATESMAN Burnet vs. Liberty Hill football. Liberty Hill's #33 Morgan Amthor is tackled by Burnet's #72 Ruben Salinas in second quarter action on Nov. 5, 2010.
Austin American-Statesman
What game have you circled on the calendar? Jones: It has to be Westlake at Lake Travis, right? All eyes from across the state will be on Cavalier Stadium Oct. 10. After 10 consecutive wins by Lake Travis in this brief but spirited series, the Chaps have pulled off back-to-back victories. Can Card and the Cavs solve that dominant Westlake D? Cantu: Thomas, I’m surprised you forgot about Hutto-Liberty Hill II. Last year the Hippos escaped with a 52-51 overtime victory after stopping a Panthers’ two-point conversion in OT. The rematch is Sept. 6 in Hutto. PHOTO: Rival head football coaches from Lake Travis High School Hank Carter (left) and Westlake High School head coach Todd Dodge pose for a toast at the Coaches Lunch Speaker Series by the Greater Austin Sports Foundation on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Rudy's BBQ. [JOHN GUTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN]
What game have you circled on the calendar? Jones: It has to be Westlake at Lake Travis, right? All eyes from across the state will be on Cavalier Stadium Oct. 10. After 10 consecutive wins by Lake Travis in this brief but spirited series, the Chaps have pulled off back-to-back victories. Can Card and the Cavs solve that dominant Westlake D? Cantu: Thomas, I’m surprised you forgot about Hutto-Liberty Hill II. Last year the Hippos escaped with a 52-51 overtime victory after stopping a Panthers’ two-point conversion in OT. The rematch is Sept. 6 in Hutto. PHOTO: Rival head football coaches from Lake Travis High School Hank Carter (left) and Westlake High School head coach Todd Dodge pose for a toast at the Coaches Lunch Speaker Series by the Greater Austin Sports Foundation on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Rudy's BBQ. [JOHN GUTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN]
Austin American-Statesman
What area teams have a reasonable shot to play in the state finals? Jones: Never underestimate a Liberty Hill team coached by Jeff Walker, never overlook a team with “Lake” in its name and never count out a Regents program that has gone 37-4 over the past three seasons in TAPPS Division II. Cantu: I’m going to stick with the usual suspects: Westlake, Lake Travis, Cedar Park and Liberty Hill. But watch out for Giddings, too. PHOTO: The Cedar Park football team runs through a banner before the UIL 4A Div. 1 state championship football game between Cedar Park and Lancaster on Fri., 21, 2012 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, TX. Ashley Landis for American-Statesman
What area teams have a reasonable shot to play in the state finals? Jones: Never underestimate a Liberty Hill team coached by Jeff Walker, never overlook a team with “Lake” in its name and never count out a Regents program that has gone 37-4 over the past three seasons in TAPPS Division II. Cantu: I’m going to stick with the usual suspects: Westlake, Lake Travis, Cedar Park and Liberty Hill. But watch out for Giddings, too. PHOTO: The Cedar Park football team runs through a banner before the UIL 4A Div. 1 state championship football game between Cedar Park and Lancaster on Fri., 21, 2012 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, TX. Ashley Landis for American-Statesman
Austin American-Statesman
What unit of players do you believe is the strongest in the area? Jones: LBJ’s secondary is the best unit in the Austin area. Don’t believe me? Ask a college scout. Senior Sean Fresch, last season’s District 12-5A DI defensive MVP, has pledged to Rice. Junior Latrell McCutchin committed to Alabama earlier this year, and no one at the next level knows DBs better than Tide boss Nick Saban. Junior Andrew Mukuba is weighing offers from schools such as Arizona, Arkansas and Tulsa Cantu: Lampasas had a breakout season last year and all three players who helped the offense average nearly 40 points a game are back. Quarterback Ace Whitehead, receiver Cameron Everts and running back Jack Jerome combined for 5,177 yards, making them arguably the best set of offensive triplets in the area. PHOTO: LBJ free safety Aundoy Johnson reaches to tackle McCallum wide receiver Darius Lewis during a high school football game between LBJ and McCallum in Austin, Texas, on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. NICK WAGNER / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
What unit of players do you believe is the strongest in the area? Jones: LBJ’s secondary is the best unit in the Austin area. Don’t believe me? Ask a college scout. Senior Sean Fresch, last season’s District 12-5A DI defensive MVP, has pledged to Rice. Junior Latrell McCutchin committed to Alabama earlier this year, and no one at the next level knows DBs better than Tide boss Nick Saban. Junior Andrew Mukuba is weighing offers from schools such as Arizona, Arkansas and Tulsa Cantu: Lampasas had a breakout season last year and all three players who helped the offense average nearly 40 points a game are back. Quarterback Ace Whitehead, receiver Cameron Everts and running back Jack Jerome combined for 5,177 yards, making them arguably the best set of offensive triplets in the area. PHOTO: LBJ free safety Aundoy Johnson reaches to tackle McCallum wide receiver Darius Lewis during a high school football game between LBJ and McCallum in Austin, Texas, on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. NICK WAGNER / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Austin American-Statesman
What do you foresee as the best race for a district championship? Cantu: Coach Jahmal Fenner’s team is stacked with talent at LBJ but Dripping Springs has built a championship pedigree in recent years. The winner of their Oct. 11 game at Nelson Field likely will carry District 12-5A DI honors. Jones: District 11-5A DI looks like a three-way race to the wire. Defending champion Hutto loses record-setting quarterback Chase Griffin but could field its best defense in school history, Cedar Park looks loaded and Manor has arguably the best collection of talent among all area 5A schools. PHOTO: Dripping Springs head coach Galen Zimmerman speaks with his team after a 59-29 win over LBJ during a Class 5A, Division I bi-district playoff high school football game at Reeves Athletic Complex, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (Stephen Spillman / for American-Statesman)
What do you foresee as the best race for a district championship? Cantu: Coach Jahmal Fenner’s team is stacked with talent at LBJ but Dripping Springs has built a championship pedigree in recent years. The winner of their Oct. 11 game at Nelson Field likely will carry District 12-5A DI honors. Jones: District 11-5A DI looks like a three-way race to the wire. Defending champion Hutto loses record-setting quarterback Chase Griffin but could field its best defense in school history, Cedar Park looks loaded and Manor has arguably the best collection of talent among all area 5A schools. PHOTO: Dripping Springs head coach Galen Zimmerman speaks with his team after a 59-29 win over LBJ during a Class 5A, Division I bi-district playoff high school football game at Reeves Athletic Complex, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (Stephen Spillman / for American-Statesman)
Austin American-Statesman
Who are some teams or players that will surprise this season? Jones: Del Valle hasn’t had a winning season in 10 years, but they’ll break that streak this season behind a dynamic set of skill players such as sophomore receiver Caleb Burton — who fields an offer from Texas, by the way — and running back Tavierre Dunlap. Cantu: Flying under the radar is a team that could make the playoffs is Westwood. The Warriors have 14 starters back from a team that went 4-6. They also have an established quarterback in R.J. Martinez, who threw 25 TDs last fall. They key is building a defense that can improve on last year’s 33 points a game for the opponent. PHOTO: Westwood receiver Mohan Hegde celebrates his touchdown with Luca Mazzola. Round Rock won a district football game over Westwood 51-42 at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on September 28, 2018. Henry Huey for Round Rock Leader.
Who are some teams or players that will surprise this season? Jones: Del Valle hasn’t had a winning season in 10 years, but they’ll break that streak this season behind a dynamic set of skill players such as sophomore receiver Caleb Burton — who fields an offer from Texas, by the way — and running back Tavierre Dunlap. Cantu: Flying under the radar is a team that could make the playoffs is Westwood. The Warriors have 14 starters back from a team that went 4-6. They also have an established quarterback in R.J. Martinez, who threw 25 TDs last fall. They key is building a defense that can improve on last year’s 33 points a game for the opponent. PHOTO: Westwood receiver Mohan Hegde celebrates his touchdown with Luca Mazzola. Round Rock won a district football game over Westwood 51-42 at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on September 28, 2018. Henry Huey for Round Rock Leader.
Austin American-Statesman
Who do you consider the area’s best defensive player? Cantu: One of the players who made Vandegrift a solid defensive team last year was defensive back Tyler Mongauzy. Hardly the biggest guy on the field (5-11, 175 pounds), he created havoc with 128 tackles that included 94 solo stops and two forced fumbles. Jones: There’s a few Vipers that could make this list, but I’ll go with Cedar Creek linebacker Cade Edwards. He showed great intuition — he learned from his dad, Cedar Creek coach Jon Edwards — and tremendous range last season while making 126 tackles, including 20 for a loss, and added two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. PHOTO: Bastrop's quarterback Desmond Young (11) gets taken down by Cedar Creek's Cade Edwards (42) in the first half of the game between the Bears and the Eagles on Friday Oct. 5, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Cedar Creek. [STEVE LEWIS FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN]
Who do you consider the area’s best defensive player? Cantu: One of the players who made Vandegrift a solid defensive team last year was defensive back Tyler Mongauzy. Hardly the biggest guy on the field (5-11, 175 pounds), he created havoc with 128 tackles that included 94 solo stops and two forced fumbles. Jones: There’s a few Vipers that could make this list, but I’ll go with Cedar Creek linebacker Cade Edwards. He showed great intuition — he learned from his dad, Cedar Creek coach Jon Edwards — and tremendous range last season while making 126 tackles, including 20 for a loss, and added two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. PHOTO: Bastrop's quarterback Desmond Young (11) gets taken down by Cedar Creek's Cade Edwards (42) in the first half of the game between the Bears and the Eagles on Friday Oct. 5, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Cedar Creek. [STEVE LEWIS FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN]
Austin American-Statesman
What intriguing storyline are you looking forward to? Jones: We had some impressive coaching debuts last season; Glenn won a district championship in its first varsity season under Rob Schoenfeld, and Hays returned to the playoffs behind Les Goad. I’m looking forward to seeing what these guys do for an encore. Cantu: It’s hard to imagine someone whose past two seasons ended early because of a torn ACL — one in each knee — and want to come back. Trinidad Sanders is back to play quarterback at Bowie, and he vows to finish the season healthy. PHOTO: Bowie's Trinidad Sanders (5) celebrates a touchdown against Pflugerville during a non-district high school football game at Pflugerville High School, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. (Stephen Spillman / for American-Statesman)
What intriguing storyline are you looking forward to? Jones: We had some impressive coaching debuts last season; Glenn won a district championship in its first varsity season under Rob Schoenfeld, and Hays returned to the playoffs behind Les Goad. I’m looking forward to seeing what these guys do for an encore. Cantu: It’s hard to imagine someone whose past two seasons ended early because of a torn ACL — one in each knee — and want to come back. Trinidad Sanders is back to play quarterback at Bowie, and he vows to finish the season healthy. PHOTO: Bowie's Trinidad Sanders (5) celebrates a touchdown against Pflugerville during a non-district high school football game at Pflugerville High School, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. (Stephen Spillman / for American-Statesman)
Austin American-Statesman
If you were a coach and could pick any player in Central Texas for your team, who would it be? Cantu: Lake Travis is going to win its fair share of games, with or without Hudson Card. But this is a quarterback’s sport and this future Texas Longhorn gives the Cavaliers a legitimate chance to win state. Jones: But doesn’t defense win championships? Oh, wait, we’re in the 21st century. So give me Cedar Ridge running back Chris “Deuce” Vaughn, who had 2,196 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns last season. PHOTO: Lake Travis Cavaliers quarterback Hudson Card throws a forward pass against the Cedar Ridge Raiders at the scrimmage football game held at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on Friday Aug 23, 2019. [JOHN GUTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN]
If you were a coach and could pick any player in Central Texas for your team, who would it be? Cantu: Lake Travis is going to win its fair share of games, with or without Hudson Card. But this is a quarterback’s sport and this future Texas Longhorn gives the Cavaliers a legitimate chance to win state. Jones: But doesn’t defense win championships? Oh, wait, we’re in the 21st century. So give me Cedar Ridge running back Chris “Deuce” Vaughn, who had 2,196 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns last season. PHOTO: Lake Travis Cavaliers quarterback Hudson Card throws a forward pass against the Cedar Ridge Raiders at the scrimmage football game held at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on Friday Aug 23, 2019. [JOHN GUTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN]
Austin American-Statesman
What do you consider the best venue to watch a high school football game in Central Texas? Cantu: I’ve always been partial to Texan Stadium in Wimberley. Not only is it a great family atmosphere, the view from the press box of the rolling hills and a bright moon in the background is really cool. Jones: You can have your hills and moons; I’ll take skyscrapers and city lights. Nothing matches the energy at venerable House Park in downtown Austin when it hosts a big game like the Taco Shack Bowl on Aug. 29 between McCallum and Anderson. Fans will be lined up from Shoal Creek to the 15th Street bridge. PHOTO: McCallum high school football team warms up before competing against Anderson high school football team at House Park football stadium on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
What do you consider the best venue to watch a high school football game in Central Texas? Cantu: I’ve always been partial to Texan Stadium in Wimberley. Not only is it a great family atmosphere, the view from the press box of the rolling hills and a bright moon in the background is really cool. Jones: You can have your hills and moons; I’ll take skyscrapers and city lights. Nothing matches the energy at venerable House Park in downtown Austin when it hosts a big game like the Taco Shack Bowl on Aug. 29 between McCallum and Anderson. Fans will be lined up from Shoal Creek to the 15th Street bridge. PHOTO: McCallum high school football team warms up before competing against Anderson high school football team at House Park football stadium on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Austin American-Statesman