Area Playoff Previews: Second round brings 4 Austin vs. San Antonio showdowns
Here’s a first look at the 4 Austin area 6A second-round playoff matchups.
Division I
Lake Travis vs SA Brennan
How’d they get here:
Lake Travis (11-0) got 468 yards and 5 touchdowns passing from Luke McBride to beat Round Rock 41-14. A goal-line stand in the second quarter led to a 99-yard touchdown pass from McBride to Lark Sidle as the 4th-ranked Cavaliers scored 38 straight points after falling behind 7-0.
Brennan (9-2) outscored SA Reagan 35-0 over the second and third quarters to overcome an early deficit and win 49-21. Quarterback Cayden Glass accounted for 5 touchdowns (3 passing, 2 rushing) and 306 yards of offense. Jayshawn Mitchell ran for 81 yards and had 88 yards receiving.
Recent History:
This is the 4th time the Cavaliers and Bears have met in the playoffs. Lake Travis holds a 2-1 lead with wins in 2021 and 2023. Brennan won in 2022.
When/Where:
Friday, 7pm, Matador Stadium in Seguin
Hutto vs SA Johnson
How’d they get here:
Dylan Owens ran for a 50-yard touchdown with less than 3 minutes remaining and the defense stopped Bowie on downs in the final minute as Hutto (9-2) won a dramatic Bi-District game 35-28. The Hippos used Owens, a standout receiver, in the backfield after running back Keilan Chavies injured an ankle. Owens also had a 1-yard run early in the final quarter as Hutto erased a 28-21 deficit.
Johnson (11-0) rolled to a 52-7 halftime lead in a 59-21 win over SA O’Connor in the opening round. Elvis Estrada passed for 196 yards and 4 touchdowns in the first half, and Rayshun Hurt ran for 116 yards on just 7 carries. Braelyn Allen, a freshman receiver, also had a big game with 138 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 7 catches. Johnson is ranked 21st in the state.
Recent History:
None. This is the first meeting between the schools.
When/Where:
Friday, 7:30pm, Bob Shelton Stadium in Hays
Division 2
Vandegrift vs SA Brandeis
How’d they get here:
Wiley Olson’s 36-yard field goal as time expired propelled Vandegrift (9-2) to a 16-14 win over Westlake. The Vipers trailed 14-10 at the half and got a suffocating performance from its defense, keeping Westlake off the board in the final 24 minutes. Olson’s winning kick – his 3rd field goal of the game – came after the Vipers worked the ball down the field after starting at their own 1-yard line following a goal-line stand. The bi-district loss marked Westlake’s earliest playoff exit since 2014.
Wynter Smith ran for a late touchdown to give Brandeis a 35-32 win over SA Sotomayor Friday night. Smith, a dual-threat quarterback, accounted for all of the Broncos’ scoring by running for 4 touchdowns – he finished with 189 yards rushing – and adding a 5th through the air.
Recent History:
None. This is the first meeting between the teams.
When/Where:
Thursday, 7pm, Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos
Dripping Springs vs SA Harlan
How’d they get here:
Dripping Springs (10-1) continued to welcome James Montgomery and Cooper Reid back into the lineup – they combined for 3 touchdown catches in their second games back after missing multiple games due to illness and injury – and pulled away from Vista Ridge for a 38-14 win last Thursday. Malachi Igharo intercepted a pair of passes and Liam Lawson added another as the 12th-ranked Tigers frustrated Rangers’ quarterback Cameron Lacek.
Harlan rushed for 354 yards and 7 touchdowns, including 197 yards and 4 scores from G’Ivori Graham, in a 56-24 rout of SA Madison. Quarterback Aldric Trotter passed for 214 yards and rushed for 100 more in the win. Harlan is ranked 13th in the state.
Recent history:
The teams met in last year’s Area playoffs with Harlan winning 55-24. It’s the only meeting between the teams.
When/Where:
Friday, 7pm at Alamo Stadium in San Antonio