A battle between two of the state’s top football teams turned into a one-sided affair with Vandegrift shutting out then-undefeated Cibolo Steele in the state tournament 38-0.
Vandegrift dominated from the start, according to the American Statesman, with a 79-yard touchdown drive out of the gate. The Vipers had a 28-0 lead at halftime, with long drives of 78, 75 and 79 yards. The Vipers offense was in full effect, piling on 425 yards compared to 184 for Steele.
“That was an undefeated team and we came into their house," said Vandegrift coach Drew Sanders, who recently hit the 100-win milestone. "Not only did we win — it would have been impressive just to win — but to come in and dominate from start to finish and not allow them to score, I couldn't be any prouder.”
The American Statesman reported that junior quarterback Brayden Buchanen led the aerial offense with 241 yards passing with two touchdowns. He also rushed for a pair of scores in the lopsided win for the Vipers.
While Buchanen led the scoring charges, senior running back Ryan Sheppard also put on a show with a 124 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown. Senior Graylan Spring had five receptions for 89 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a solid day for the Vipers.
Senior wide receiver Reece Beauchamp was a jack of all trades with six catches for 67 yards, as well as 2/2 passing for 84 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown pass to Spring that came in the third quarter. Hayden Arnold had a 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
This was the ninth time the Vipers appeared in the second round of the state tournament. Vandegrift (11-1) is set to take on Edinburg Vela on Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. at Cabannis Field in Corpus Christi.