GAMES
RANKINGS
THE FINAL 48: UIL Football State Championship Preview -- Southlake Carroll vs. Vandegrift (6A-D2)
The 2024 UIL 6A-D2 State Championship is set for this Saturday at 3:00 PM at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, where the Southlake Carroll Dragons (15-0) will face the Vandegrift Vipers (14-1) in what promises to be an electric showdown.
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Ranked No. 5 in the state (MaxPreps), Southlake Carroll enters the championship game with an undefeated 15-0 record.
Coach Riley Dodge and co. certainly have tenure at this stage, considering they’ve advanced to the Final on 10 prior occasions, and won it all in 8 of them – the last of which was in 2011 (Class 5A-D1).
Fast forward to the present, and the Dragons have shown resilience throughout the postseason, outlasting teams like Mansfield Legacy (69-7), Frenship (49-42), and most recently Longview (20-17) with explosive offense and clutch play.
Carroll's offense revolves around a powerful ground game and an efficient passing attack. While the loss of USC-signee Riley Wormley to a season-ending knee injury in October was a blow, the Dragons have continued to thrive.
Running backs Davis Penn (1,040 all-purpose yards, 20 TDs) and Christian Glenn (510 yards, 7 TDs) have stepped up in his absence, providing a dynamic duo in the backfield.
At quarterback, Angelo Renda has been the driving force. The junior has thrown for 3,550 yards and 36 touchdowns while also rushing for 644 yards and 14 scores, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
His go-to target, junior Brock Boyd (TCU-commit), has been a nightmare for opposing defenses, with 98 catches for 1,690 yards and 18 touchdowns.
If Boyd is covered, Carroll's depth at receiver with sophomores Blake Gunter (43 receptions, 726 yards, 8 TDs) and Brody Knowles (31 receptions, 464 yards, 7 TDs) ensures there’s no shortage of weapons.
Defensively, Carroll is led by a formidable front-seven, including senior Austin Davidge (79 tackles, 9.5 sacks), as well as juniors Zac Hays (66 tackles, 9.5 sacks) and Tennessee-commit Jack Vandorselaer (78 tackles, 7 sacks).
Linebackers Marcus Brouse (82 tackles, 6 TFL) and Robbie Ladd (82 tackles, 6 TFL) anchor the middle, while the secondary – featuring William Chen (77 tackles, 2 INTs) and Luke Bussmann (38 tackles, 6 PD) – provides strong coverage in the backfield.
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Vandegrift’s impressive 14-1 record speaks to the growth of the program, which has only been around since 2010. After a State Final appearance two years ago, the Vipers are looking to capture their first state championship.
Under the guidance of Coach Drew Sanders, Vandegrift has been a shining example of complementary football, with an offense that averages 43 points per game and a defense that holds opponents to just 14.
Junior quarterback Miles Teodecki has been an enthralling development, as he’s thrown for 3,016 yards and 46 touchdowns, while adding four rushing touchdowns for good measure.
His favorite targets – Brock Chilton (47 receptions, 904 yards, 12 TDs), George Farley (44 receptions, 838 yards, 13 TDs), and Gavin Koester (30 receptions, 431 yards, 7 TDs) – have helped power a high-octane passing attack.
In the backfield, senior tailback Brendan Fournier (Columbia-commit) has been a workhorse, rushing for nearly 1,200 yards and 19 touchdowns. His ability to balance the offense makes Vandegrift a dangerous, multi-dimensional team.
Defensively, Arizona State-bound Daeshon Morgan has been a standout in the trenches, recording 82 tackles, 14 TFL, and 10 sacks.
The Vipers’ linebacker corps, led by Adam Scott (92 tackles, 14 TFL, 3 sacks), Parker Davis (62 tackles, 9 TFL, 6 sacks), and Caleb “CJ” Mooring (69 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 INTs), provides a stout front, while seniors such as break-out star safety Hollister Stephens (104 tackles, 1 INT) and Matthew Draeken (46 tackles, 5 INTs) offer leadership in the secondary.
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Will Southlake Carroll secure its 9th UIL trophy? Or will Vandegrift make history by claiming its first? Find out this Saturday (3:00 PM) at AT&T Stadium!
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THE FINAL 48: UIL Football State Championship Preview -- Highland Park vs. Smithson Valley (5A-D1)
This Saturday at 11:00 a.m., AT&T Stadium will play host to an exciting showdown between the Highland Park Scots and the Smithson Valley Rangers, as both teams vie for the title of UIL-5A-D1 State Champions.
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Highland Park enters the championship with a 14-1 record, nearly perfect this season. The Scots’ journey to this point has been impressive, highlighted by a thrilling 24-21 come-back victory over Denton Ryan last Friday, which was sealed by a field goal in the final seconds.
This is a familiar stage for Highland Park, as they are making their 10th appearance in the State Final. The Scots last claimed the title in 2018, completing a historic three-peat with a win over Shadow Creek, marking their sixth state title overall.
Now, under the leadership of head coach Randy Allen, the Scots are aiming to build a new dynasty.
On both sides of the ball, Highland Park has been firing on all cylinders. The offense is averaging over 36 points per game, while the defense has held opponents to just 16 points per contest.
At the helm of the offense is sophomore Buck Randall, who has been nothing short of spectacular. Despite his youth, Randall has shown remarkable poise, throwing for over 3,600 yards and 38 touchdowns. He has also added 322 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
In the backfield, senior running back James Lancaster provides steady leadership, having rushed for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior Matthew White has added 459 yards and 5 touchdowns, providing a dynamic second option.
When it comes to the passing game, Randall’s favorite target is junior wideout Cannon Bozman, who has caught 11 touchdowns on 63 receptions and is just one yard shy of reaching the 1,000-yard milestone for the season.
Even if Bozman is double-covered, the Scots have other reliable weapons in seniors Benton Owens (36 receptions, 726 yards, 7 TDs) and Brandon Lilly (38 receptions, 554 yards).
Defensively, the Scots are led by Jack Morse, a senior linebacker and Brown-commit who has been a game-changer. Morse, the 2023 District 7-6A Defensive MVP, leads the team in tackles (102), sacks (9.5), and interceptions (3). His versatility makes him a constant threat. Senior linebacker Anders Corn – a first-team, all-district selection – is another player capable of stepping up when it matters most.
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On the other side, the Smithson Valley Rangers are making their second consecutive appearance at AT&T Stadium. After suffering a heavy loss to Aledo in last year’s championship, the Rangers are eager to avenge that defeat and claim their first-ever state title.
Under the direction of coach Larry Hill, the Rangers are a formidable force. They come into the final with a 13-2 record, having won their last 10 games in a row. In last week’s State Semis, they defeated Angleton 21-14, securing their place in the championship.
Smithson Valley has been an offensive powerhouse this season, averaging 43.5 points per game, and if they continue their high-scoring ways, they could very well end the season with a title.
A key player for the Rangers is Cade Spradling, a senior who excels both as a quarterback and linebacker. Spradling’s ability to contribute on both sides of the ball makes him one of the most dangerous players in the game. Whether he's leading the offense or anchoring the defense, Spradling’s impact is undeniable.
On defense, the Rangers have been suffocating, allowing fewer than 12 points per game.
Senior safety Diego Davila, an SFA-signee, has been a standout in the secondary, while 6-foot-3 edge rusher Hudson Woods has been a dominant force on the defensive line. Both will play critical roles in limiting Highland Park’s high-powered offense.
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In what should be a battle of momentous proportions, Highland Park and Smithson Valley stake their claim for the title this Saturday (11:00 AM) at AT&T Stadium.