Being unsure if your star quarterback is playing in your district championship sounds like a scary ordeal, but not for the T-Wolves of Cedar Park High School.
Confident in their second-string quarterback Cole Kruger, the Wolves were ready to take on the tough Hutto defense.
"They are two different players, but we never got out of focus about the game at hand," junior receiver Gunner Abseck said.
For the Wolves, this win was vital. Cedar Park had held the district title for six straight years before the Hutto upset of 2018. As much as Cedar Park wanted their title back, Hutto was ready to fight to keep the trophy in Hippoland.
The Hippos came out with the first score setting the pace for the intense game. With a field goal for each team in the second quarter, Ryder Hernandez had to make a play to tie it up at the half. With a 62-yard touchdown pass to Preston Scott, Hernandez led his team into the locker room ready to take it back in the second half.
The night before the game, Hernandez was sick with the flu leaving the T-Wolves' offense under high pressure.
"I threw up the morning of the game so I didn't have a lot of time to rest," said Hernandez.
He then got an IV to insure he would be hydrated and rested before he headed out to the field to compete with his team.
"My performance was affected a lot. I didn't have any energy and my body was very weak and giving out on me," said Hernandez.
He would seal the game with a 14-yard touchdown to win 20-16.
After looking at the public school football playoff bracket, here are the projections to get out the Region and into the State Final Four.
COULD NORTH SHORE BE IN TROUBLE?
Could the North Shore Mustangs have the toughest path out of the Region? The ‘Stangs face Deer Park in the bi-district round. The Deer are not bad. Coach Austin Flynn has a pretty dynamic offense and scrappy defense. They will put up a fight. Then you have Ridge Point in Round 2, led by one of the best QBs in the city in Austin Carlisle. He can do it with his arm and legs. The UH-commit can really run and that could be problematic for North Shore’s defense. The Panthers’ defense will need to really come to play, however. Then they would be on a collision course against Katy… the Katy Tigers, who have a great running game with a dual-headed backfield. Then they would have a rematch with Atascocita, who took them to the wire in the regular season. If it’s not Atascocita, it will be Fulshear, who is as physical as it gets. That is a murderer’s row of playoff opponents. Fasten your seatbelts.
CHECK OUT THE “ON MY WHISTLE” Podcast where Matt Malatesta and Jackson DiPasquale talk the playoffs.
WHO COMES OUT OF CLASS 6A DII?
Summer Creek reached the State Final a year ago. Who can beat them this year? Anyone? I’m waiting. QB Blake Thomas is a solid dual-threat QB with great a football IQ. He’s played a ton of meaningful high school football. The defense is salty with Chad Woodfork leading the way. Does Hightower have enough offense? Is Jordan physical enough? Is Shadow Creek healthy enough? No, no and no. It might be district-mate Kingwood who has the best chance, but coach Kenny Harrison should return to the State Final Four come December.
It all comes down to Duncanville and DeSoto. Can anyone give them a game? Houston’s best representatives would be the Willis Wildkats in Class 6A DII and Bridgeland in DI. Willis fell to DeSoto in Round III and will likely meet again this year. They might be better prepared this season with a stingy defense and a well-balanced offense. Jermaine Bishop Jr. is a game-breaker along with Jalen Mickens, Romel Stevens, Terri Lawrence and Daylion Robinson, but can they dominate the trenches on both sides of the ball? That is the difference. Bridgeland can get to the Region Final but won’t be able to match Duncanville. No shame in that.
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RANDLE IS RUMBLING
The Lions have a tough trip to State in Class 5A DII Region III, much like North Shore. Randle will meet either Brenham or Liberty Hill (in State last year) in the third round and will face Iowa Colony in the Regional Final. The Lions are wildly talented with Landen Williams-Callis running the ball and a stingy defense. Coach Brian Randle has one of the best staffs in the state, so let’s see if they can make school history after opening just a few years ago.
A&M Consolidated is the favorite to come out of Class 5A DI Region III, so who can challenge the Tigers? Maybe Galveston Ball if Jonah Williams is healthy. Maybe College Station or Lufkin, but it’s looking like A&M Consolidated is simply too explosive and will return to the State Final Four and beyond.
