By Michael Adams
michael@otssports.com
For the third straight week, the McNeil Mavericks held a lead at halftime. Only this time, the result was much different.
On Friday at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in North Austin, McNeil took a 7-6 halftime lead into the locker room and went on to defeat previously undefeated Vista Ridge by the same score.
See more photos from Thursday night’s McNeil-Vista Ridge game.
The Mavericks (3-2, 1-1 District 25-6A) held the Rangers to just a pair of field goals by kicker Clarence Deiparine.
In previous weeks, McNeil has watched halftime leads slip away on two separate occasions. Against Hendrickson on Sept. 7, the Mavericks led 14-10 at halftime only to be outscored 21-3 in the second half by the Hawks.
A week later in the district opener at Manor, McNeil led the Mustangs 24-14 at halftime, but gave up 28 unanswered points in the second half.
On Thursday, the Mavericks defense were able to hold a stagnant Vista Ridge offense out of the endzone and used a hook and ladder to running back Joshua Gayden for a 24-yard touchdown run with 3:24 left in the first half to take a 7-6 lead.
Vista Ridge (4-1, 1-1) struggled to move the ball defensively and had two turnovers in the first half, one of which lead to Gayden’s touchdown.
Deiparine gave the Rangers a 3-0 lead with a 30-yard field goal with 4:39 left in the first quarter. His second field goal was a 26-yarder on Vista Ridge’s first possession of the second quarter.
McNeil has a bug challenge ahead of them next week when the Mavericks host Class 6A No. 5 Vandegrift at Kelly Reeves on Friday, Oct. 6. The Rangers will return to Kelly Reeves on Thursday to take on Westwood.
Rouse 36, Connally 34: At The Pfield in Pflugerville, Rouse (4-0, 1-0 District 11-5A-II) held off a late surge by Connally (2-4, 0-2) to defeat the Cougars in district action.
Rouse senior Justin Cannon rushed for 195 yards on 26 carries and had one touchdown to lead the Raiders. Junior Leland Smit and senior Anthoy Reyes had two touchdown runs each.
Rouse hosts Belton next week at A.C. Bible Stadium, while Connally is off next week.
Thursday night scores
Travis 41, Northeast 7
Crockett 56, LASA 0
Anderson 50, Akins 13
Killeen Chaparral 39, Pflugerville 34
Rouse 36, Connally 34
McNeil 7, Vista Ridge 6