VYPE/ESPN Austin Central Texas Game of the Week Preview: Austin High vs. Bowie

Several Austin High fans predicted at their scrimmage vs. Brandeis in mid-August that the game against Bowie was going to determine the final playoff spot out of District 26-6A. They were exactly right.

With Westlake, Dripping Springs and Lake Travis all locked into the postseason, the Maroons and Bulldogs will duke it out in what amounts to an elimination game Friday night (11/1) at House Park in the VYPE Central Texas High School Football Game of the Week, simulcast on 102.7 FM ESPN Austin radio.

Bowie has had more success in recent years. The Bulldogs (2-3, 6-3) have played nine straight weeks, with their Bye coming next week, so it’s “do or die” for the Dawgs. While Westlake and Lake Travis handled them with relative ease, Bowie nearly knocked off Dripping Springs, falling 38-35 on October 11th.

Senior quarterback Cruz Tello (99-163, 1,620 Yds., 18 TDs, 6 INTs) and senior running back Kayson Mathabela (130-680, 5.2 YPC, 11 TDs) power a Bowie offense that’s racked up 33 points per game.

Austin High (2-2, 4-4) also fell to both Westlake and Drip by identical 49-7 scores and will close out the regular season against Lake Travis. (The Maroons could technically lose to Bowie and upset Lake Travis but the Bulldogs would have the tiebreaker.)

Senior running back Bryson Batts (72-603, 8.4 YPC, 7 TDs rushing; 16-323, 20.2 YPC, 3 TDs) keys the Maroons offense with senior quarterback John Latham (56-123, 799 Yds., 6 TD, 9 INT) under center.

Westlake and Lake Travis met last week in the “Battle of the Lakes” and Dripping Springs beat everyone else they had to beat to punch their ticket. That means it’s Austin High vs. Bowie in a clash between two Austin ISD mainstays to see who will move on to the playoffs.