By Michael Adams
michael@otssports.com
This feature is supposed to publish on Mondays, but in the mix of recording content for the “On the Sidelines with Michael Adams” podcast and volleyball playoffs getting underway, there’s just not enough hours in the day.
So this week’s Monday Blitz happens on Tuesday this week.
Speaking of the podcast, I’m reviving it this Thursday and testing a new feature that’s going to be a lot of fun. That’s the part about starting a new business, you get to test a bunch of different things and see what takes off and what doesn’t. I’m excited to share this with you!
Moving on…
Sports fans love a good underdog story. Who doesn’t root for the underdog? Are you really human if you aren’t cheering for Rudy or jumping up and down when Marshall beats Xavier in the final scene of “We are Marshall?”
There are two underdog stories festering in the Austin area as we head into the final week of the season, both happening north of downtown Austin.
McNeil (5-4) is arguably the best underdog story of the season. The Mavericks are regulars in the basement of their district football standings. In fact, McNeil has a 7-30 record in district games in the previous five seasons leading up to this year.
However, things are changing in a big way at the North Austin high school on McNeil Drive.
The Mavericks are one win away from making the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Under the direction of long-time coach Robert Wilcox, McNeil reached the state quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champion Tyler Lee, now known as Tyler Legacy.
McNeil has already wrapped up its first winning season since 2008, and a trip to the postseason will be the cherry on top of the best season in 19 years. Fun fact, none of the players on the current McNeil football team was alive the last time the Mavericks made the playoffs. You’ll get to read and hear more about McNeil on Thursday.
The other unlikely playoff contender is Pflugerville. In a weird turn of events, the Panthers (2-7) upset of Rouse last Friday could send Pflugerville to the playoffs for the first time since 2012. All the Panthers need to do is beat rival Connally on Friday at The Pfield.
This wasn’t even a consideration at the beginning of District 11-5A-II play. Pflugerville was 0-5 and got blown out by Belton 35-19 in the district opener on Sept. 21. The Panthers lost to Killeen Chaparral the following week and was essentially written off.
But… something weird happened.
Pflugerville pulled off an upset over district front-runner Waco University (7-2) on Oct. 5 for the Panthers’ first win of the season. Two weeks later, Pflugerville pulled off another upset and defeated Rouse 29-22 to put new life into the Panthers’ playoff hopes. Follow us on Friday for updates from The Pfield.
Changing gears…
The Taylor volleyball team is making history. The Ducks defeated North Forest 3-0 on Monday to advance to the area round of the Class 4A playoffs and notched their 30th win. The 30 wins this season is the most for a volleyball team in Taylor High School history.
Makenna Watson, a sophomore, reached 500 digs for the season and senior Camryn Numameker recorded her 500th assists.
The volleyball playoffs are in full swing. Georgetown made quick work of an unmatched Crockett team and several others advanced.
I’m headed to Vista Ridge tonight to watch the Rangers try to upset defending Class 6A state champion Dripping Springs.
Until next week, I’ll see you on the sidelines.