Hutto and Converse Judson traded body blows all night long, but a game-winning field goal in the waning controversial seconds eventually lifted the Rockets to a 31-29 win over the Rockets at San Antonio’s Rutledge Stadium.
After the Rockets scored twice in the opening four minutes, Hutto junior quarterback Kaden Stefek (17-27, 271 yds., 3 TD) tossed the first of his three touchdown passes to put the Hippos on the board. Stefek struck again following a Hutto interception to tie the game at 14-14 before a late touchdown sent Judson into the locker room leading 21-14.
Stefak capped off a roughly five-minute drive to start the second half with a 1-yard plunge to tie the game again at 21-all. The Rockets reclaimed the lead early in the fourth quarter, embarking on a long drive after recovering a Hippo fumble on the Judson 11-yard line.
Stefak completed the hat trick with his third scoring strike but the Hippos missed the extra point to trail 28-27. That’s when the Hutto defense notched a Safety to lead for the first time of the night, 29-28.
The Hippos burned four minutes off the clock after receiving the free kick but unfortunately turned the ball over to Judson on downs at the Rocket 45-yard line with under a minute left. The Rockets advanced just enough – aided by some arguable clock management -- to kick the game winning field goal and swipe the win.
Sophomore Jaiden Fields nabbed two touchdown receptions and Braeton Anderson added a third while junior running back Keilan Chavies carried 26 times for 128 yards for the Hippos.
Hutto (1-1) and new to District 25-6A, hosts Cedar Ridge in Friday night’s VYPE/ESPN Austin radio Central Texas Game of the Week on 102.7 FM.