The Austin High Maroons held off a late surge by the Bowie Bulldogs to seize the fourth and final playoff spot out of District 26-6A with a clutch 35-32 victory Friday (11/1) at House Park in the VYPE/ESPN Austin Central Texas High School Football Game of the Week.
Senior running back Bryson Batts (13-77, 2 TDs) and junior running back Reid Childers (11-27, 2 TDs) did most of their damage on the ground, with each rushing for two touchdowns. Senior quarterback John Latham (12-16, 147 Yds., TD) also connected with Batts on a 25-yard touchdown pass that gave the Maroons a 28-14 lead late in the first half. A late Bulldogs field goal trimmed the halftime lead to 28-17.
After a scoreless third quarter, Bowie’s senior quarterback Cruz Tello pulled the Bulldogs to within three points before Childers’ second rushing touchdown pushed the Maroons’ advantage back to 10. The Dawgs stormed back again, however, with Tello tossing another scoring strike with under a minute remaining.
Austin High appeared to be in good shape after Childers recovered the onside kick, but the Maroons were unable to run out the clock. Tello’s last-gasp heave ultimately fell harmlessly to the carpet, and with it, Bowie’s post-season hopes. The Bulldogs finished their 2024 campaign at 6-4 overall and 2-4 in district play.
The Maroons (2-3, 5-4) face consecutive tall tasks, facing Lake Travis to close out the regular season then traveling to Vandegrift to open their first playoff appearance since 2020.
