The reign of Vandegrift as the Class 6A Division II state champions came to an end on Saturday night as they faced a formidable opponent in Houston C.E. King, losing 58-41 in the state semifinals at McLane Stadium. The Panthers showcased a powerful running game that overwhelmed the Vipers” defense, securing their place in the championship game against DeSoto next Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Behind the dynamic duo of quarterback Timothy Potts and running back Dionne Sims, King amassed an impressive 427 rushing yards, exploiting gaps in the defense with ease. Highlighting the Panthers” speed was receiver Dillon Mitchell, who turned a simple pass into a spectacular 61-yard touchdown run during the first half. Mitchell first caught attention last year at the UIL state track and field meet with remarkable sprinting times in the 100 and 200 meters.
Despite the loss, Vandegrift”s performance did not go unnoticed, especially as they scored their final touchdown on the last play of the game. “They had a few too many bullets for us today,” said Vandegrift coach Drew Sanders.
Vandegrift”s Game Plan and Performance
The strategy for Vandegrift was clear from the outset, as quarterback Miles Teodecki opened the game by attempting 15 passes without a single rushing attempt. His coaching staff believed they could exploit King”s secondary, and Teodecki delivered with a stellar performance, throwing for 447 yards in his final high school game. He humbly noted he “could have played better” despite throwing two interceptions and noted the challenge of passing 50 times in one game.
“It”s not about stats,” Teodecki stated while hydrating after the game. “I hope people at Vandegrift will remember me for giving it my all and being a warrior and doing my best for the team.”
Senior receiver Brock Chilton was instrumental in Vandegrift”s efforts, recording an astonishing 21 catches for 276 yards, which included touchdown receptions of 56, 19, 50, and 2 yards. His emotional reaction post-game reflected how much his high school career meant to him. “I would have rather had no catches for no yards for a chance to win the game,” he remarked. “I”m grateful for my brothers.” Chilton, who will join the Air Force Academy next season, expressed pride in the hard work the team put in throughout the season.
Defining Moments in the Game
As the game unfolded, it seemed King had secured victory when they extended their lead to 42-21 with a long run by Potts at the end of the third quarter. However, Vandegrift quickly rallied with two touchdowns, both from Teodecki to Chilton, narrowing the score to 42-25 and reigniting hopes for a comeback. Yet, King responded decisively with an 80-yard drive, culminating in a 20-yard touchdown run by Potts, which ultimately sealed Vandegrift”s fate.
Potts finished the game with 222 rushing yards while Sims added 205 yards to the tally.
Vandegrift”s Legacy
Finishing the season with a record of 12-3, Vandegrift boasts a remarkable 51-7 record over the past four years, largely due to a talented senior class that previously claimed the 2024 6A DII state championship. Coach Sanders has built a program that stood as the last remaining representative from Central Texas in the state playoffs this year, following earlier losses by other local teams.
The Vipers will feel the absence of key seniors like Teodecki, Chilton, offensive lineman Carter Mannon, linebacker James Mulcahy, and others as they move forward. “I”m sad because I really wanted to get it done for the community,” said Chilton. “The fact we were able to get to the semis is great. Everyone remembers their last game. But I would have traded everything for a win today, no doubt.”
