Football season has finally returned to the area as Taylor High School, Granger High School and Thrall High School are back in action with Hutto High School still awaiting the first day of practice next week.
TAYLOR DUCKS
THRALL TIGERS The Ducks were out bright and early with helmets on at Taylor Stadium beginning July 31 as this team has high expectations under Taylor first-year head coach Earven Flowers.
This program has come a very long way since it had back-toback 0-10 seasons in 2019 and 2020 as Taylor was a playoff team in 2022 and has its sights set on a stellar year in 2023.
Taylor has to wait just a few more days under UIL rules until they can have full-contact practice with that first day falling on Saturday, Aug. 5 as the team will have a practice open to the public from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. for Duck Day.
During the practice, Taylor will have Burgers with the Band, news from the Taylor Athletic Booster Club, TEE Foundation, a Senior Cake Raffle, box raffles, the cheer and dance teams performing, an introduction to band officers, volleyball, team tennis and cross country squads.
Ducks varsity football will have its opening scrimmage at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11 hosting Cameron Yoe High School, travel at 6 p.m. on Aug. 17 to take on defending 3A-1 champion Franklin High School in the second preseason game and then open the 2023 regular season away at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 25 against Gatesville High School.
GRANGER LIONS
This Lions team under head coach Stephen Brosch had quite a ride during the 2022 season when they advanced all the way to the 2A-2 regional finals. Although Granger lost quite a few key senior players from that squad, the Lions will look to maintain their success and that vision has officially started with the first week of practice.
Following road scrimmages at 6 p.m. on Aug. 11 against Dawson High School and 6 p.m. on Aug. 17 versus Frost High School, the Lions will have their home opener at 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 when Granger hosts Hubbard High School.
As for Tigers football with head coach Aaron Vanecek at the helm, Thrall is looking to get back to the playoffs following a tough season in which the team finished with a 3-7 overall record and missed out on the postseason. This squad looks to return to its winning ways in 2023 as practice started this week and Thrall will introduce the team at 7 p.m. on Friday night as part of the Meet the Tigers celebration at Tiger Stadium.
Thrall has an away scrimmage at 7 p.m. on Aug. 12 in Austin at Brentwood Christian School, returns home for its second preseason game at 7 p.m. on Aug. 17 vs. Milano High School and opens the regular season at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 25 away against Somerville High School.
HUTTO HIPPOS
Although under UIL rules the Hippos can’t practice at the varsity level until Aug. 7 since they are considered a 6A large school, the freshman team began practice this week and are adjusting quite well already to the high school pace.
Hutto’s varsity squad should be in for a big year with head coach Will Compton at the helm and continue its offseason conditioning until next week when they put their helmets and pads on. After the Hippos are allowed to start full-contact practices on Aug. 12 they will have their preseason scrimmage at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17 on the road at Austin Vandegrift High School and open the 2023 regular season at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 25 at home vs. San Marcos High School at Hutto Memorial Stadium.
