VYPE/ESPN Austin Central Texas Game of the Week Preview: Vandegrift vs. Steele

Pull out the old-fashioned 1950s black and white tube TV from the attic.

Their school colors may be grayscale, but the fireworks these teams produce are in Technicolor. Coach Drew Sanders’ Vipers (11-1) scored 42.5 points per game, with their starters often resting on the sidelines early in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Miles Teodecki (141-211, 2,249 yards, 30 TDs, 8 INTs) has distributed the ball to an increasing number of receivers, taking over from Brock Chilton and George Farley. Senior running back Brendan Fornier (137-831, 6.1 YPC, 13 TDs) has also come on strong since returning to the lineup full-time after an injury early in the season.

The Vipers’ defense has gotten healthy and improved dramatically since giving up 49 points to Cedar Park in week two. Led by veterans Ian Witt, Daeshon Morgan, Adam Scott and Hollister Stephens, Vandegrift is giving up just 11.4 points per game, with much of that coming from the reserves.

Cibolo Steele’s offensive numbers are even more striking. Senior quarterback Chad Warner (158-197, 3,009 Yds., 40 TDs, INT) and junior running back Jonathan Hatton (121-1,147, 9.5 YPC, 14 TDs) power an offense that has been struggling since losing in scoring at least 49 points in every game, their only loss was against Westlake. The Knights have averaged 55.8 PPG on the season.

Steele’s defense has also stood out, allowing two points or fewer with two shutouts in eight of their 12 games.

The Knights knocked the Vipers out of the playoffs in Vandegrift’s first two years as a 6A program before the Vipers got revenge in 2021. Neither team has been challenged in a game since September, making mental toughness under adversity at least as big a factor as anything else.

Throw some TV dinner on the oven, throw some Jiffy Pop in the microwave and get ready for Monochrome Bowl IV.

What: 6A D2 Region IV semifinals
When: 2:40 a.m. before the game, 3:00 p.m. kick-off
Where: The Alamodome
Who: Merle Bertrand, Hank Hudson, Matt Sanders
Regard: https://www.vype.com/nfhs-6a-dii-football-reg-iv-semifinal-vandegrift-vs-cibolo-steele OR https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/uil/gam5afd5aac2b