GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE/ESPN Austin Central Texas Game of the Week Preview: Vandegrift vs. Steele
Call it “Monochrome Bowl IV.”
The Vandegrift Vipers (school colors: black, silver and white) will face the Cibolo Steel Knights (school colors: black, silver and white) in a 6A D2 Region IV Semifinal showdown Friday (11/29) at The Alamodome.
Dig out the old-school 1950’s-era black and white tube TV from the attic.
Their school colors may be from a gray scale, but the fireworks these teams produce are in Technicolor. Coach Drew Sanders’ Vipers (11-1) have lit up the scoreboard for 42.5 points-per-game, often with the starters resting on the sidelines by early in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Miles Teodecki (141-211, 2,249 yds., 30 TDs, 8 INTs) has spread the ball around to an ever-increasing number of receivers, let by Brock Chilton and George Farley. Senior running back Brendan Fornier (137-831, 6.1 YPC, 13 TDs) has also come on strong since returning to the lineup full time from an early season injury.
The Vipers’ defense has gotten healthy and improved dramatically since giving up 49 points to Cedar Park in Week Two. Led by veterans Ian Witt, Daeshon Morgan, Adam Scott and Hollister Stephens, Vandegrift gives up just 11.4 points-per-game, with much of that surrendered by reserves.
Cibolo Steele’s offensive numbers are even gaudier. Senior quarterback Chad Warner (158-197, 3,009 Yds., 40 TDs, INT) and junior running back Jonathan Hatton (121-1,147, 9.5 YPC, 14 TDs) power an offense that has scored at least 49 points in every game since suffering their only loss against Westlake. The Knights have averaged 55.8 PPG over the course of the season.
Steele’s defense has excelled as well, allowing two scores or less in eight of their 12 games with two shutouts.
The Knights knocked the Vipers out of the playoffs in Vandegrift’s first two years as a 6A program before the Vipers returned the favor in 2021. Neither team has been challenged in a game since September, which will make mental toughness under adversity at least as much of a factor as anything else.
Toss a TV dinner onto the oven, throw some Jiffy Pop into the microwave and get ready for Monochrome Bowl IV.
What: 6A D2 Region IV SemifinalWhen: 2:40 Pregame, 3:00 Kickoff
Where: The Alamodome
Who: Merle Bertrand, Hank Hudson, Matt Sanders
Watch: https://www.vype.com/nfhs-6a-dii-football-reg-iv-semifinal-vandegrift-vs-cibolo-steele OR https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/uil/gam5afd5aac2b
THE HIERARCHY: VYPE SATX Week 11 Football Rankings; Sotomayor, Boerne put list on notice
It's nearly playoff time in the Lone Star state, and audiences everywhere are on the edge of their seats.
When it comes to SATX, the powers that be continue to cook.
Cibolo Steele and Brennan are adept in each phase of the game, with Alamo Heights (10-0) and Pieper (9-0) dominating the Class 5A scene.
SA Johnson moves up with their recent 35-0 win over Churchill, but that's not to dismiss the threat that Smithson Valley still poses, considering the considerable experience they have in postseason ball.
In Class 4A, Davenport (9-1) keeps rolling as they prepare for what could potentially be a lengthy run in the playoffs -- hopefully resulting in their first appearance in the UIL state title game.
Meanwhile, Sotomayor (7-2) and Boerne (6-3) finally get the recognition they deserve in our rankings, and look to cap off their season on a high note.
As we approach final week in the 2024 regular season, here is the cream of the crop in terms of San Antonio-area football.
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VYPE San Antonio Combined (6A-4A) Top-20 Rankings
*Parentheses indicates most recent game result
1. Cibolo Steele Knights (6A) -- 8-1 (62-0 W v. Comal Canyon) -- 5-0 in District 29-6A // Next Matchup: 11/7 @ Buda Johnson
2. Brennan Bears (6A) -- 8-1 (69-0 W v. Taft) -- 7-0 in District 28-6A // Next Matchup: 11/8 @ Warren
3. Pieper Warriors (5A) -- 9-0 (49-17 W v. Victoria East) -- 6-0 in District 13-5A-DI // Next Matchup: 11/7 @ Boerne-Champion
4. Alamo Heights Mules (5A) -- 10-0 (39-7 W v. Tivy) -- 6-0 in District 13-5A-DII // Next Matchup: (Playoffs) TBD
5. SA Johnson Jaguars (6A) -- 8-1 (35-0 W v. Churchill) -- 6-0 in District 27-6A // Next Matchup: 11/7 vs. Clark
6. Smithson Valley Rangers (5A) -- 7-2 (70-0 W v. MacArthur) -- 5-1 in District 13-5A-DI // Next Matchup: 11/7 @ Victoria East
7. Davenport Wolves (4A) -- 9-1 (61-42 W v. Canyon Lake) -- 6-0 in District 14-4A-DI // Next Matchup: (Playoffs) TBD
8. Harlan Hawks (6A) -- 8-1 (63-20 W v. Warren) -- 6-1 in District 28-6A // Next Matchup: 11/7 @ Sotomayor
9. East Central Hornets (6A) -- 7-3 (56-7 W v. Clemens) -- 4-2 in District 29-6A // Next Matchup: (Playoffs) TBD
10. Reagan Rattlers (6A) -- 6-3 (49-12 W v. Clark) -- 5-1 in District 27-6A // Next Matchup: 11/8 vs. Brandeis
11. New Braunfels Unicorns (5A) -- 6-3 (41-24 W v. Seguin) -- 4-2 in District 13-5A-DI // Next Matchup: 11/8 vs. SA Wagner
12. Sotomayor Wildcats (6A) -- 7-2 (Bye) -- 6-1 in District 28-6A // Next Matchup: 11/7 vs. Harlan***
13. Boerne Greyhounds (5A) -- 6-3 (50-0 W v. McCollum) -- 4-1 in District 13-5A-DII // Next Matchup: 11/8 vs. Tivy***
14. Canyon Cougars (6A) -- 5-4 (0-62 L v. Cibolo Steele) -- 3-2 in District 29-6A // Next Matchup: 11/8 @ San Marcos
15. Brandeis Broncos (6A) -- 6-3 (51-7 W v. SA Roosevelt) -- 4-2 in District 27-6A // Next Matchup: 11/8 @ SA Reagan
16. Canyon Lake Hawks (4A) -- 6-3 (42-61 L v. Davenport) -- 3-2 in District 14-4A-DI // Next Matchup: 11/8 @ Pleasanton
17. Tivy Antlers (5A) -- 6-3 (7-39 L v. Alamo Heights) -- 3-2 in District 13-5A-DII // Next Matchup: 11/8 @ Boerne
18. Churchill Chargers (6A) -- 5-4 (0-35 L v. SA Johnson) -- 3-3 in District 27-6A // Next Matchup: 11/7 @ LEE
19. Clark Cougars (6A) -- 5-4 (12-49 L v. SA Reagan) -- 4-2 in District 27-6A // Next Matchup: 11/7 @ SA Johnson
20. Taft Raiders (6A) -- 5-4 (0-69 L v. Brennan) -- 4-3 in District 28-6A // Next Matchup: 11/8 vs. O'Connor