The Hutto Hippos varsity football team delivered a commanding performance in their season opener, defeating the San Marcos Rattlers 63-8.
Despite replacing much of their offensive lineup from last season, Hutto came out strong, scoring on their first three drives to build a 21-8 lead early. Head Coach Will Compton praised his offense’s quick start.
“We came out really focused, hitting on all cylinders,” Compton said.
Junior Quarterback Kaden Stefek, making his debut as the new starter, showed no signs of inexperience. Stefek went 8/11 for 225 yards and five touchdowns. Compton was impressed with his new quarterback’s performance.
“I thought Kaden did a great job tonight. He was poised in the pocket and did a really good job with the run game. It’s not easy following in those footsteps, but he performed remarkably,” Compton said.
San Marcos only scored once in the first half, but Hutto’s defense was nearly impenetrable afterward, stopping the Rattlers on over ten consecutive drives. This defensive prowess was not merely a result of an offense-controlled clock; the Hippos scored quickly and often. Compton highlighted his defense’s adaptability and communication.
“We had that one series in the first half where they were able to drive us down, but the coaches made adjustments. I thought our guys were flying around, making great adjustments and excellent communication,” Compton said.
Senior Wide receiver Braeton Anderson was a standout performer, scoring twice. His 60-yard screen pass touchdown in the second quarter extended Hutto’s lead to 28-8. Anderson added a 48-yard touchdown catch early in the third quarter to make it 42-8. Anderson finished with three catches for 151 yards and three touchdowns.
Despite the nearperfect performance, Compton identified areas for improvement. “We can always get better at tackling; we were a little high in a few situations. Offensively, our tempo wasn’t as sharp and crisp as it needed to be,” he said.
The Hippos improve to 1-0 on the season and will face Judson on the road next Friday at 7:00 p.m.
