2019 Prep Football preview: Vandegrift, Cedar Ridge remain class of District 13-6A
DISTRICT 13-6A
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An overtime field goal separated defending district champion Vandegrift and Cedar Ridge in 2018, and this year's battle for the 13-6A title looks equally tight between two loaded squads. Vandegrift has the slightest of edges because a veteran defense should approach last season's dominance.
Preseason MVP
Cedar Ridge running back Chris "Deuce" Vaughn, a Kansas State pledge, has the dimensions and quickness of a scatback but the power and toughness to carry a heavy workload. Last season, the 5-foot-7, 175-pound senior with 4.4 speed rushed for 1,926 yards and 20 touchdowns. He could be even better this year.
Games to watch
Vandegrift at Cedar Ridge, Sept. 13: In a jaw-dropper of a district opener, expect another slugfest in a game that Vandegrift won 17-14 last season.
Westwood at Round Rock, Sept. 27: Scoreboard operators may still be catching up from last year's game, which Round Rock won 51-42. Westwood QB R.J. Martinez will challenge a Dragons' defense that had had its issues over the past two years.
Hendrickson at Stony Point, Oct. 4: Hendrickson has never missed the playoffs in 11 seasons under Coach Chip Killian, but an inexperienced Hawks' team must battle to extend that streak. Stony Point looks like a prime contender to leap over Hendrickson in the standings.
1. Vandegrift
2. Cedar Ridge
3. Round Rock
4. Stony Point
5. Hendrickson
6. Westwood
8. Leander
9. McNeil
Coach: Anthony Wood (65-74, 15th season)
2018: 4-6 (2-6 district)
Postseason: none
Starters returning: 6 offense, 8 defense
Players to watch
OL Danny Lackowski, sr., 6-5, 295
LB Drew Goodall, jr., 6-1, 190
DB Conner Cooper, jr., 5-11, 185
2018 stats
Averaged 28.4 PPG, allowed 33.8 PPG
Trending: a three-year look
2018: 4-6
2017: 5-6 (0-1, postseason)
2016: 5-5
Overall: 14-17 (0-1)
FYI
Westwood hasn't had a winning season since 2012 but has the look of a playoff darkhorse. The Warriors boast a returning starter at quarterback, a veteran offensive line led by guards Lackowski and Daniel Vasquez, and a defense that welcomes back eight starters. ... Martinez shared the district's newcomer of the year award last season after throwing for 1,842 yards and 16 touchdowns on 155-of-243 passing, and he added 265 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. He's on pace to break Chase Rich's school record of 5,327 career passing yards, and he may challenge single-season school records such as passing yards (3,016, set by Bear Fenimore in 2013) and passing touchdowns (35, Will Jennings, 2017). ... Both free safety Cooper and strong safety Kam Colvinearned all-district honorable mention last season, and cornerback Malachi Woodard boasts prototypical size at 6 feet, 1 inches and 165 pounds.