By Michael Adams
madams@austinsportsjournal.com
LAGO VISTA – Lago Vista has been in Class 4A for two seasons, but the Vikings might be the best positioned team to shake up a Region IV that’s been dominated by district rival Wimberley.
The Texans have been a thorn in the Lago Vista’s side since the Vikings moved to 4A from 3A in 2022. Yet, compared to other district opponents, the Vikings have been the only team to challenge the Texans, who haven’t lost a district game since the 2020 season.
Wimberley is 3-0 all-time against Lago Vista, but the budding rivalry has produced some of the best games of the season for both teams.
The Texans’ margin of victory over Lago Vista is only 11.3 points, which is the smallest margin among all of Wimberley’s district opponents. That includes Geronimo Navarro, which has also beat the Vikings in each of the last two seasons.
“Wimberley is a great team,” said head coach Craten Phillips. “There’s no doubt that game is going to be a battle, but I think we are as prepared as we’ve ever been… I hope this is the year.”
Photo gallery
Lago Vista (7-5 in 2024) has arguably one of the best secondary units in the Austin metropolitan area, anchored by three-star defensive back and Arizona-pledge Swayde Griffin
The versatile Griffin, who also plays wide receiver, is just one of several weapons for the Vikings, who return five offensive and seven defensive starters.
Lago Vista also returns a big offensive line and several players in skill positions on an offense that averaged 38.2 points a game last season. That includes junior quarterback Tripp Henderson and linemen Graydon Burke and Tristin Tell.
An area round loss to Sinton in the playoffs last year still leaves a sting for Lago Vista players, giving added motivation as the Vikings look to shakeup Region IV and dethrone Wimberley.
“It still stings a bit because in the years before that we went pretty far in the playoffs and losing in the second round feels like we let down the program a bit,” Henderson said. “We are going into this season with a chip on our shoulder and hopefully right the ship and make a deep playoff run, and hopefully make it to Jerry World this year.”
If the Vikings hope to make it to AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the Class 4A-Division II state championship game, they will have to do something that’s never been done by a Lago Vista football team – beat Wimberley.
“I think we have the best chance we’ve had in a long time,” Griffin said.
Lago Vista Independent School District voters approved a $26 million bond in 2022 that included upgrades to the athletic facilities, such as expanded stadium seating, improvements to the track, a new video scoreboard in the south endzone and a $13 million multi-purpose activity center.
Lago Vista begins their chase for a a state championship on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Burnet. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The Vikings play their home opener on Friday, Sept. 6 against Waco Connally.
The Austin Sports Journal Summer Tour
Editor’s note: This is the fifth installment of the Austin Sports Journal’s summer high school football tour. For the next three weeks, the ASJ is visiting high school football teams all over the Greater Austin Area as they prepare for the 2024 season, which begins Thursday, Aug. 29.
Past stops
Monday, Aug. 5: Anderson, Pflugerville and LBJ
Tuesday, Aug. 6: Weiss
Wednesday, Aug. 7: Hutto
Thursday, Aug. 9: McCallum
Michael Adams is the publisher and owner of the Austin Sports Journal. Reach him at madams@austinsportsjournal.com, and follow him on X @MichaelAdamsASJ.