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By Michael Adams
madams@austinsportsjournal.com
THRALL – The town of Thrall has a population of 879 residents, according to U.S. Census estimates for 2024.
On Friday night, the population will nearly triple as rival Thorndale makes the five-mile trip west on U.S. Highway 79 for the annual rivalry game at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Capacity at Thrall’s Tiger Stadium is 1,489, according to texasbob.com, but Friday it will overflow into the standing-room only areas as small-town Texas high school football will be on full display.
“I played in Pflugerville, and we had big crowds there, but nothing like this,” said Thrall senior quarterback Chance Parker. “The atmosphere is crazy, it’s intense from before the game, during the game and off the field.”
Many of the players from both teams have lifelong friendships with each other that will cease to exist until the final buzzer sounds.
“During the game, no, we’re not friends, but after the game we’re friends again,” said Thorndale senior wide receiver Jayden Clawson. “It doesn’t get much better than the atmosphere you’ll see on Friday. Both towns, everyone there, you can’t get better than it. It’s Texas football.”
Thrall’s Landon Gregory added, “Many of us have grown up in these towns our whole life. It’s a lot like a backyard football game.”
Growth in eastern Williamson County has hit the small town of Thrall, as evidence by all the construction around the school and the massive Samsung plant being constructed in nearby Taylor, just 10 miles down the road.
The Tigers make the jump to Class 3A this season, with projections having Thrall potentially move to Class 4A in the 2028 UIL redistricting.
The move to 3A meant that The Tigers wouldn’t be in the same district as Thorndale for the first time in a while. Thrall head coach Aaron Vanecek said when it became apparent that the Tigers would move up, he and Thorndale coach John Kovar talked about finding a way to keep the rivalry going.
“There was a time when Thorndale moved to 3A and Thrall was a 2A, and they didn’t play for two years, I don’t know the history as to why,” Vanecek said. “We immediately said we need to find a way to keep this going and make it have meaning… we thought, what a great way to do it with opening the year with (the rivalry game).”
Thorndale is coming off an 0-10 season, which was the Bulldogs first losing season since 2017. Players said not to expect another 0-10 season.
“We’re pretty hungry,” said Thorndale quarterback Gunner Ferguson. “We’re trying to get that 0-10 taste out of our mouth. A win on Friday would be a statement and a big boost for us.”
The Bulldogs return eight offensive and six defensive starters, including a big offensive line that features Parker Williams (6-2, 250 pounds) and Hayden Wilson (6-3, 250 pounds).
Thrall also has a lot of experience returning.
The Tigers (6-5 in 2023) return seven offensive and seven defensive starters, including a linebacker corps that recorded over 200 tackles last year, anchored by Tyler Ortiz and Travis Matthews.
While Thrall looks to make an impression in Class 3A, their first hurdle will be Friday with their rival that has owned this series.
Thorndale has a 14-6 advantage in the last 20 years, but Thrall has won two of the last three.
“They’re the neighbors across the street,’ said Thrall defensive lineman Trace Riggs. “It’s always been a big rivalry, everybody knows everybody. It’s cool to compete against each other, and it would mean a lot to get the win, but once you’re off the field, there’s a friendship.”
Thrall vs. Thorndale through the years
Here is a look at the Thrall-Thorndale rivalry over the past 20 years. Thorndale holds a 14-6 advantage since 2004, but Thrall has won two of the last three meetings.
| YEAR | WINNER | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Thrall | 42-14 |
| 2022 | Thorndale | 46-14 |
| 2021 | Thrall | 42-35 |
| 2020 | Thorndale | 21-19 |
| 2019 | Thorndale | 36-13 |
| 2018 | Thorndale | 41-0 |
| 2017 | Thorndale | 48-18 |
| 2016 | Thrall | 39-20 |
| 2015 | Thrall | 26-21 |
| 2014 | Thorndale | 42-28 |
| 2013 | Thorndale | 65-3 |
| 2012 | Thorndale | 41-7 |
| 2011 | Thorndale | 21-8 |
| 2010 | Thorndale | 28-6 |
| 2009 | Thorndale | 40-16 |
| 2008 | Thorndale | 39-7 |
| 2007 | Thorndale | 34-6 |
| 2006 | Thrall | 13-9 |
| 2005 | Thrall | 21-7 |
| 2004 | Thorndale | 36-6 |
