Leaving a Legacy: Vandegrift looks to leave its mark with State title on the line

Week 1 of the Texas High School Football season saw an instant classic between Vandegrift and Dripping Springs, with the Tigers winning on a last second field goal. Most people assumed that the rematch would be just as good, if not better, than the original.

It did not disappoint.

In a game that went back and forth, the Vipers came out as the victors in the rematch securing a State Semi-Final spot with a 27-24 victory

"It was definitely an amazing football game. I was told by multiple people that it was the greatest game they had ever seen," head coach Drew Sanders said. "It came down, like I thought it would, to the end. Last game, they kicked a game winning field goal, but this time we were able to run the clock out. It was a game of huge momentum swings and we were able to make the play at the end stopping them on 4th and short after a 19 play drive."

They've gotten to this point in the season with some help from key players like returning district MVP Brayden Buchanan and leading receiver Miles Coleman

"Two of our better players," Coach Sanders said. "Miles has been like that ever since I've known him. He's got tremendous speed and ball skills. He is an amazing player."

The task ahead now? Getting past-nine time State champion Katy, which is no easy task. However, Coach Sanders and the Vipers are focused and ready to go. "Refocusing isn't an issue at all. We don't get to 13 wins without the ability to focus at the task at hand. That group was ready to hear the game plan and ready to go."

They will be facing a team who is not only on a roll, but is disciplined in all that they do. Every play, when playing Katy, matters. "Katy is who they are, they aren't going to change for anybody. That's part of what makes them so good, they are going to run the ball, they are going to play action pass, they are going to be tough up front offensively and defensively. They are going to swarm to the ball and they aren't going to make mistakes," Coach Sanders said. "As an offense and defense you are going to try and stop what they do, but it is easier said than done with the kind of back they have."

With that being said, Coach Sanders expects his team to show up just as determined as the Tigers. "We also like to do those kind of things and that's how we've won our games over the last few years," says Coach Sanders.

Now as this Vipers squad looks to be the first in Vandegrift history to make the state title game Coach Sanders reflected on the team's theme this year and what's to come.

"Our yearly theme this year is legacy. They wanted to acknowledge the teams that have come through here over the year but they wanted to add to it. This team is really serious about making their own legacy forever and they've done a great job so far."