{"id":29437,"date":"2026-11-11T16:09:02","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T22:09:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/?p=29437"},"modified":"2026-11-12T14:31:53","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:31:53","slug":"game-preview-austin-vandegrift-vs-bridgeland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/?p=29437","title":{"rendered":"GAME PREVIEW: AUSTIN VANDEGRIFT vs. BRIDGELAND"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>UIL Class 6A Division I Bi-District Playoff<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Friday, November 13, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cy Fair FCU Stadium | Cypress, Texas<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Austin Vandegrift and Bridgeland open the UIL Class 6A Division I playoffs with a matchup between two teams that have taken different paths through the regular season. Vandegrift enters at 6-4 after finishing third in its district, while Bridgeland brings a 9-1 record and an undefeated district championship season into the postseason.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The teams feature contrasting offensive profiles. Vandegrift has relied on a productive rushing attack led by Preston James and Evan Williamson, while Bridgeland has combined a powerful ground game with an efficient passing offense. The Bears have scored at least 31 points in every game this season, while the Vipers will face one of the most productive offenses on their schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>AUSTIN VANDEGRIFT TEAM SNAPSHOT<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Record: 6-4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head Coach: Drew Sanders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Points Per Game: 29.9<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Points Allowed Per Game: 26.2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6A Classification Ranks: Not included<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>SEASON SO FAR<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aug. 28: Defeated San Antonio Brennan, 28-21<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sept. 4: Defeated San Antonio Johnson, 38-7<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sept. 11: Defeated Liberty Hill, 45-14<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sept. 18: Defeated Round Rock, 41-38<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 2: Defeated Georgetown East View, 28-14<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 8: Defeated Cedar Park Vista Ridge, 49-20<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 16: Defeated Cedar Park, 23-10<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 23: Defeated Leander, 42-14<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 30: Defeated Leander Rouse, 42-28<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nov. 6: Lost to Hutto, 49-10<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>BRIDGELAND TEAM SNAPSHOT<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Record: 9-1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head Coach: Lonnie Madison<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Points Per Game: 41.5<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Points Allowed Per Game: 16.0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6A Classification Ranks: Not included<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>SEASON SO FAR<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aug. 28: Defeated The Woodlands, 31-30<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sept. 4: Defeated Katy Tompkins, 35-7<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sept. 10: Lost to Fort Bend Ridge Point, 56-35<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sept. 25: Defeated Cypress Ranch, 31-14<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 3: Defeated Cypress Springs, 37-21<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 9: Defeated Richmond George Ranch, 49-8<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 16: Defeated Fulshear, 49-7<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 23: Defeated Cypress Park, 59-7<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 30: Defeated Waller, 34-10<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nov. 5: Defeated Richmond Foster, 55-0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>THE BREAKDOWN<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The statistical profiles point to two offenses built around the running game, although Bridgeland has been more productive overall. Vandegrift has rushed for 1,961 yards and 32 touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. The Vipers have added 1,237 passing yards and six touchdowns, giving them 3,198 total yards of offense, or 319.8 per game.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bridgeland has generated 4,048 yards of total offense, averaging 404.8 per game. The Bears have rushed for 2,621 yards and 37 touchdowns, averaging 8.3 yards per carry, while adding 1,427 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. Their 460 yards of all-purpose offense per game reflect a unit that has consistently put pressure on opposing defenses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bears&#8217; ground game features multiple contributors. Kash Schwab leads the way with 1,662 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns in nine games, averaging 184.7 yards per game over those nine appearances. He has also caught nine passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns, giving him 1,864 yards of total offense in nine games. Austin Mitchell has added 501 rushing yards and five touchdowns, providing another productive option.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bridgeland has also been efficient through the air. Taylon Villanueva has completed 87 of 127 passes for 1,296 yards and 14 touchdowns, with two interceptions. Blake Vernon has completed 13 of 16 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson Ewing leads the receiving group with 35 catches for 516 yards and six touchdowns, while Jackson Gruber has contributed 24 receptions for 376 yards and three scores.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vandegrift&#8217;s offensive identity begins with its backfield. Preston James leads the Vipers with 1,026 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Evan Williamson has added 620 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in seven games. Together, the pair has accounted for 1,646 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. James has also contributed 324 receiving yards, giving him 1,350 yards of total offense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vipers have used multiple quarterbacks. Gavin Koester has thrown for 700 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 134 rushing yards. Collin Williams has passed for 537 yards and two touchdowns. Vandegrift has completed 55.3 percent of its passes, with six touchdown passes and nine interceptions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The difference in overall offensive production is reflected in the scoring averages. Bridgeland is averaging 41.5 points per game, while Vandegrift is scoring 29.9. The Bears have scored at least 31 points in every game and have topped 50 points multiple times. Vandegrift has shown the ability to produce points as well, including a 49-point performance in its regular-season finale against Hutto.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Defensively, Bridgeland has recorded 24 sacks and 65 quarterback hurries, creating consistent pressure on opposing passers. Regan Fodje and Gavin Aldmon have seven sacks apiece, with Fodje also leading the team with 18 quarterback hurries. Ethan Shitera has contributed three sacks. The Bears have also recorded 67 tackles for loss, five interceptions and 22 passes defended.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vandegrift&#8217;s defense has accumulated 757 tackles, including 40 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Luke Davis leads the team with 93 tackles, followed by Colt Stevens with 89 and Joey Fennell with 71. The Vipers have recorded eight interceptions and five fumble recoveries. Their ability to get Bridgeland&#8217;s offense off the field will be an important part of the matchup.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special teams also offer contributors to watch. Bridgeland&#8217;s Austin Anderson has made five field goals and 50 extra points, while Camden Buchanan has contributed 336 return yards. Vandegrift&#8217;s Landon Klein has made six field goals and 39 extra points. Preston James has added 274 kickoff-return yards, and Ontario Jackmon has contributed in both the kickoff- and punt-return games.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>PLAYERS TO WATCH<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>AUSTIN VANDEGRIFT<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>PRESTON JAMES<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 James leads the Vipers with 1,026 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He has added 324 receiving yards and 274 kickoff-return yards, totaling 1,624 all-purpose yards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>EVAN WILLIAMSON<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Williamson has rushed for 620 yards and 12 touchdowns in seven games. His production gives Vandegrift another established option in the running game.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>COLLIN WILLIAMS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Williams has passed for 537 yards and two touchdowns. His role in the passing game will be important as Vandegrift works to keep Bridgeland&#8217;s defense from concentrating entirely on the run.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>LUKE DAVIS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Davis leads Vandegrift with 93 tackles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>COLT STEVENS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Stevens has recorded 89 tackles, second on the team.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>JOEY FENNELL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Fennell has contributed 71 tackles as part of a defense that has recorded 40 tackles for loss.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>BRIDGELAND<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>KASH SCHWAB<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Schwab has rushed for 1,662 yards and 27 touchdowns in nine games, averaging 184.7 yards per game over those appearances. He has also caught nine passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>TAYLON VILLANUEVA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Villanueva has completed 87 of 127 passes for 1,296 yards and 14 touchdowns, with two interceptions. He has also added 191 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>JACKSON EWING<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Ewing leads Bridgeland with 35 receptions for 516 yards and six touchdowns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>REGAN FODJE<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Fodje has recorded seven sacks and leads the Bears with 18 quarterback hurries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>GAVIN ALDMON<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Aldmon also has seven sacks and leads Bridgeland with 7.2 tackles per game.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CAMDEN BUCHANAN<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Buchanan has contributed 336 return yards, including 185 kickoff-return yards and 151 punt-return yards.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>RECENT MATCHUP HISTORY \/ ALL-TIME RESULTS<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2019: Austin Vandegrift 14, Bridgeland 13<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>KEYS TO THE GAME<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>AUSTIN VANDEGRIFT<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Establish the running game.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Vandegrift has rushed for 1,961 yards and 32 touchdowns. Preston James and Evan Williamson give the Vipers a productive one-two combination, and the ground game will be central to keeping the offense on schedule.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Limit Bridgeland&#8217;s explosive runs.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Bears average 8.3 yards per carry and have scored 37 rushing touchdowns. Preventing Schwab from turning routine carries into long gains is a major defensive priority.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Get the defense off the field.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Bridgeland averages 41.5 points per game. The Vipers need to turn stops into completed defensive series rather than allowing the Bears to extend drives and build momentum.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><b>BRIDGELAND<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Keep the ground game rolling.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Bears average 262.1 rushing yards per game and have 37 rushing touchdowns. Schwab and Mitchell give the offense multiple options to maintain that production.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pressure Williams.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Bridgeland has 24 sacks and 65 quarterback hurries. Creating pressure can disrupt Vandegrift&#8217;s passing rhythm and make the Vipers work in longer-yardage situations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Contain James and Williamson.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Vandegrift has two backs with more than 600 rushing yards and a combined 27 rushing touchdowns. Limiting their production would challenge the foundation of the Vipers&#8217; offense.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b>KEEP YOUR EYE ON<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Kashing In:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Bridgeland&#8217;s leading rusher, Kash Schwab, has 1,662 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns in nine games. How Vandegrift handles his production will be one of the game&#8217;s defining matchups.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fodjemon:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Regan Fodje and Gavin Aldmon have seven sacks apiece, and Fodje has 18 quarterback hurries. Their pressure could influence Vandegrift&#8217;s ability to balance its offense.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Vandy\u2019s 2-headed backfield:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Preston James and Evan Williamson have combined for 1,646 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. Their workload and effectiveness will shape the Vipers&#8217; offensive approach.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>FROM THE COACHES<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Austin Vandegrift Head Coach Drew Sanders:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;It&#8217;s always good to be back in the playoffs and we are excited about our match up with an elite team, the district champion Bridgeland Bears. We haven&#8217;t played them since 2019 when we won 14-13 vs. the soph led Conner Weigman version. What an amazing team they were then and they of course are even better now. Their defense is elite lead by a bunch of playmakers and their offense really hasn&#8217;t been slowed down at all. We are excited about the opportunity and look forward to the matchup.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Bridgeland Head Coach Lonnie Madison:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;We are preparing for a great Program in Vandegrift that has a tradition of winning and is extremely well coached. We are taking on a program that is two years removed from a State Championship and lost in the semi-finals last year, so we know we must prepare and play well. It has been a great season, and we are looking forward to the next step which is the playoffs. We will continue to focus on the things that we do well and try and play a clean football game against a very good opponent.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UIL Class 6A Division I Bi-District Playoff Friday, November 13, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. Cy Fair FCU Stadium | Cypress, Texas Austin Vandegrift and Bridgeland open the UIL Class 6A Division I playoffs with a matchup between two teams that have taken different paths through the regular season. Vandegrift enters at 6-4 after finishing third [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":97251362,"featured_media":29439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[35890,78821],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-game-previews"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pdT9NE-7EN","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/txhsfb.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Game35-Preview.png?fit=1535%2C1024&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/97251362"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29437"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29437\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29454,"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29437\/revisions\/29454"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/txhsfb.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}