It is Monday, that means it's time for you weekly edition of VYPE's Burning Questions. What does that mean for the Austin/San Antonio area? Each week I will take a look at some questions from across the Austin-San Antonio area then give you an answer to said questions. I won't always be right, but hey who is?
Question 1: Can Somerset be a team to watch in 4A?
Somerset is off to a hot start, going 3-0 with wins over Highlands, Southside and Floresville. They have yet to give up more than 2 touchdowns and outside of the Southside game they have put up more than 30 points in their other 2 games. They are coming off an 8-3 season with a first round loss to Fredericksburg. While they do find themselves in what could be a favorable district for them that should see them make the playoffs, they will still play a quality opponent in Boerne that could tell us a lot on what Somerset could do in the playoffs. So what should we make of Somerset heading into district play in the next few weeks?
What do I think?
Their 2 regular season loses last season came against quality opponents and did not go well for the Bulldogs. This season we won't get a better idea of that until the 30th of September when they play Antonian. A win their will go a long way until their District matchup on October 28th versus Boerne. I think Somerset has a chance to go far in the playoffs especially if they can finish first or second in district play.
Question 2: Is Canyon's win a sign of things to come or was it just a rivalry game?
In what would be considered a surprise upset this past weekend, though don't tell them that, Canyon beat their rival New Braunfels 35-32. Deuce Adams led the way for the Cougars with 304 yards passing and 4 Touchdowns while the Cougars added another 158 yards on the ground as a team and had 3 turnovers on the defensive side. This leaves them with a 3-0 record heading into District play where they will be playing what looks like the top 3 teams in that district back to back to back. So will we look back on this as just a win over a bitter rival or something more?
What do I think?
I think Canyon can and will make some noise as they go into district and into playoffs. Their wins over CC Veterans Memorial and New Braunfels are very impressive and I think they have a very good chance of winning the next 3 games against Champion, Smithson Valley and Hays. A lot of people think Smithson Valley are the team to beat in San Antonio in 5A. But New Braunfels Canyon can say something about that and will have the chance to next week
Question 3: What do we take away from Poth's 1 point loss to Shiner?
Over the last few seasons Poth has always seemed like they were ton the cusp of potentially going all the way to state. Two years ago they had an early exit to Rogers and last year lost to eventual champion Franklin in the Regional final. Coming into this year they had some pieces to replace but had started off the season 2-0 before going into Week 3 to take on Shiner. Last year Shiner thoroughly handled that game with a 39-10 win, but this year? This year Shiner needed an amazing 2-point play from Dalton Brooks to beat Poth. With the close loss, can this be something that propels them to Jerry World?
What do I think?
What would have been a big threat for them, Franklin, will be in 3A-D1 this year. 3A-D2 seems to be open for them in Region 3 and 4 to make Jerry World. The biggest key for them will be replacing the key pieces lost from last season. They have had to replace 5 of the 6 skill positions from the season ago. If those shoes can be filled and developed by the time playoffs role around, because I expect Coach Luna and the Pirates to get through District play in 1st place, Poth may be able to find themselves going further than they did last season.
Question 4: Which player should you keep your eye on in Week 4?
Across Austin and San Antonio there were many amazing performances during Week 3 of the season. From great offensive performances to dominant defensive showings. But of all the amazing performances which one stood out and which should we pay attention to in Week 4?
What do I think?
For me it is Noah Long. Long looked absolutely unstoppable in their 49-35 win versus Georgetown on Friday. He had 26 rushes for 343 yards and 5 touchdowns to put him at 632 yards on the season! He accumulated 2,008 yards through 15 games last year and he could very easily hit that mark and more in the 10 game regular season. Oh and one more thing he, and his running back counterpart Joe Pitchford, are only Juniors. Folks buckle up, these 2 could do something special for the Panthers.
Question 5: What is the most intriguing matchup in Week 4?
There are many must watch games happening across the cities or San Antonio and Austin this week, but to me there is one that stands out above the rest. Is it Manor taking on upstart McNeil? New Braunfels taking on Weiss? Canyon taking on Boerne-Champion? No to me there is one that has my interests peaked even more
What do I think?
That matchup is Vandegrift taking on Stony Point. After their Week 1 loss to new 6A team Dripping Springs, Vandegrift has not allowed a point over the next 2 weeks while averaging 45 points a game in those 2 games. Meanwhile Stony Point has put up 44 points a game over the first 3 weeks with 53 points in Week 1 and 55 last week in their win over Pflugerville. Cameron Cook has been amazing for the Tigers averaging almost 150 yards a game on the ground with 9 total touchdowns to start the season. Meanwhile, after a rocky start in Week 1, Brayden Buchanan has settled in at quarterback for the Vipers with 735 total yards in the air and 10 touchdowns. This one may come down to the defenses. Can Stony Point stop Buchanan? Can the Vipers stop Cook? Those answers will help decide the victor, but this one is the must watch game this week.