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Klein Collins Powers By Vandegrift To Avenge 2018 Postseason Loss
One of the most exciting games of the 2018 Texas high school football season was Austin Vandegrift's 28-21 double overtime UIL 6A Division II Region II Area Round win against Klein Collins at Waller ISD Stadium. On Friday, the teams matched up in the same round of the 2019 postseason, but this time Klein Collins (11-1) pulled out a comfortable 28-14 win at Austin Vandegrift's (11-1) Ed W. Monroe Memorial Stadium.
"I think last year [Austin Vandegrift] had more enthusiasm than us," said Klein Collins coach Adrian Mitchell. "I don't necessarily know if they played better than us, but I do know that they were enthused the entire game, and we had to match that enthusiasm with our kids, with our sideline [and] with our fans, and we were able to do that [tonight]. And doing so, I think that was the difference in the game."
Klein Collins got its revenge started when it forced an Austin Vandegrift interception on the game's opening drive. That set up VYPE Player of the Game Braelon Bridges' first of three touchdown runs at the 11:31 mark of the opening quarter. His second score was four yards long and made it a 14-0 advantage with 1:26 left in the period.
"It gives us a lot," Bridges said of the momentum going into next week's UIL 6A Division II Region II Semifinal against Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. "But, I feel like we're still going to play KC football and keep on going."
Austin Vandegrift's Trey Mongauzy tried to turn the tide with a spectacular 33-yard reception to the Klein Collins 11-yard line with 11:53 left in the second quarter, but quarterback Dru Dawson's fumble to Klein Collins' Trent Ward prevented that at the 11:34 mark of the period.
Klein Collins extended its lead to 21 points when Colby Powers scampered for a 19-yard touchdown run at the 2:35 mark of the frame and, just over a minute later, Donavan Phenix intercepted a Dawson pass to give Klein Collins great field position at the Austin Vandegrift 25-yard line.
The Vipers got a break when Tanner Ward missed a 35-yard field goal with 19 ticks left in the first half, but Bridges' third score at the 7:13 mark of the third quarter overcame the Tigers' hiccup to make it a 28-0 advantage.
A repeat of last year wouldn't play out, but Austin Vandegrift recorded a 14-point fourth quarter for the second straight week to tighten the gap late. The Vipers' defense forced a late Klein Collins turnover on downs, while Blake Youngblood recorded a pair of fourth down receptions on his team's first scoring drive of the game and Nathan Andrade wrapped up the game's scoring with a touchdown run at the 2:51 mark of the period.
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Locker Talk ATX/SATX: Holle/Bennett Interview + State Volleyball/XC & Football Pick 'Em
VYPE editor Thomas Bingham and Hill Country Indoor sports director Evan Beyer continue their 2019-2020 sports coverage, share this week's "From The Bench" interview with Westlake basketball players Shay Holle (Texas commit) and Presley Bennett (Texas State commit) and introduce "Producer Josh" Waclawczyk during the 14th Locker Talk Austin/San Antonio episode.
The hosts also discuss the area volleyball teams that qualified for this weekend's UIL state final four, mention the area champs from the TAPPS state cross country meet, participate in their weekly pick 'em and discuss the San Antonio Spurs after they retired Tony Parker's jersey.
Corrections: Northwest ISD's Byron Nelson High School is located in Trophy Club (not Justin) and Westlake girls basketball lost to Converse Judson (not Cibolo Steele) in the 2019 UIL 6A Region IV Quarterfinal.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX/@VYPESATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.