The Hutto Hippos varsity football team struggled in a 38-13 loss to the Vandergrift Vipers on Friday, Oct. 25.
The game began as a defensive battle, with both teams trading stops until Vandegrift senior linebacker Caleb Mooring shifted the momentum by intercepting Hutto junior quarterback Kaden Stefek and returning the ball to the three-yard line. The Hippos’ defense stood firm, allowing only a field goal to close out the first quarter trailing 3-0.
Hutto managed just one first down in the opening quarter, struggling to find answers against Vandegrift’s dominant defense. The Vipers’ offense then found its stride in the second quarter, starting with a 15-yard touchdown run by senior running back Brendan Fournier.
This was followed by an 88-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Miles Teodecki to junior receiver Brock Chilton, extending Vandegrift’s lead to 17-0.
Hutto finally gained some momentum after falling behind, stringing together a multiple-firstdown drive that reached the goal line, but a turnover on downs at fourthandgoal ended the first
half. The Vipers struck quickly after halftime with another Teodecki-to-Chilton touchdown, pushing the lead to 24-0. The Hippos regrouped during the break and responded with a red zone touchdown pass from Stefek to senior receiver Braeton Anderson, trimming the deficit to 24-6 after a failed two-point conversion, which closed the third quarter.
Hutto’s defense managed to get a stop, but some momentum was lost when Stefek threw his second interception of the game. Vandegrift capitalized on the turnover, with Fournier carrying the ball from the 50-yard line and picking up several first downs before capping the drive with his second touchdown of the night.
Another setback for the Hippos occurred when Stefek fumbled on an option play, resulting in his third turnover of the game, sealing Hutto’s fate. The loss puts the Hippos’ playoff hopes in jeopardy, as they now sit at .500 with two games remaining in the regular season.
Hutto will look to bounce back against Vista Ridge (5-3, 4-2 district) on Friday, Nov.
1, at Memorial Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
