The Hutto Hippos varsity football team will head into its bye week 2-2 on the season and 1-1 in district play. The Hippos have been inconsistent this season, as the offense has been impressive, but the defense has been disappointing.
Hutto started the season in impressive fashion, defeating the San Marcos Rattlers 63-8 and looking strong on both sides of the ball. This game saw the debut of junior starting quarterback Kaden Stefek, who was on fire, throwing for 225 yards and five touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Braeton Anderson was his top target, catching three passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
The Hippos then suffered their first defeat, falling to Judson 31-29 on a game-ending field goal in a heartbreaker.
Hutto bounced back versus district opponent Cedar Ridge, winning in a shootout 63-56.
Last week, the Hippos lost another close matchup, 43-36, as the Manor Mustangs drove down the field and scored the game-winning touchdown.
Stefek and Anderson have led the Hutto offense, with Stefek accounting for 949 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Anderson has caught six of those touchdowns, along with 295 receiving yards. Other notable players include junior running back Keilan Chavies and sophomore wide receiver Jaiden Fields. Chavies has 428 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Fields has 259 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Defensively, the Hippos have struggled, giving up 34 points per game. Senior linebacker Cashton Laplante and junior safety Carlos Soto lead the defense, with Laplante recording 38 total tackles and Soto registering 35.
The Hippos’ next matchup will be at home versus Round Rock Westwood on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. at Hutto Memorial Stadium.
