By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
ARLINGTON – Make way Lake Travis and Westlake, you have some company.
Vandegrift put a stamp on an improbable season Saturday with a 24-17 win over Southlake Carroll in the Texas high school football Class 6A Division II state championship game for the school’s first football state title.
The Vipers knocked off one of the state’s most prominent programs at AT&T Stadium the same way they’ve done all season – together.
“This game encapsulates what this senior class and these guys are all about, we’re not the most flashy, start rated team, but these guys just love each other,” said head coach Drew Sanders, who has been the only coach in Vandegrift’s 14-year history.
“Every single challenge they faced this year, they just said yes and that’s what these guys are all about.”
Vandegrift displayed some flash on Saturday.
After the Dragons (15-1) struck first with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Brody Knowles from Angelo Renda, the Vipers quickly responded with a 21-point offensive outburst.
Junior quarterback Miles Teodecki, who was named the game’s offensive most valuable player, connected with George Farley for an 84-yard score to tie the game. Farley finished with 134 yards on four catches, while Teodecki completed 14 of 17 pass attempts for 248 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior running back Brendan Fournier scored back-back-back touchdowns, one on a 2-yard run and another on a 10-yard pass from Teodecki. Fournier rushed for 160 yards on 28 carries and had 27 yards receiving.
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The Vipers’ defense then did what it’s done all season and held the Dragons to 10 points in the second half and stopped a fourth-quarter rally.
Senior linebacker Scott Buchanan was named the game’s defensive most valuable player. He had seven total tackles, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups.
“This means so much to all of us, and for all the guys that came before us, that worked to get this program where it is today,” said senior linebacker Adam Scott. “Obviously, we are the group that got it done, but I still look up to those senors from years’ prior.”
