Hutto football players Brayden Daniel (14), Carlos Sorto (9) and Jaiden Fields (1) celebrate a play on defense Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 at Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park, Texas.
Paul Knight/Special to American-Statesman
CEDAR PARK — It’s a simple recipe for success for the Hutto offense: Get the ball to Jaiden Fields.
While that might be a slight exaggeration with the production quarterback Kaden Stefek and running back Keilan Chavies are capable of, Fields is quickly turning into one of the most dynamic players in Central Texas.
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Keilan Chavies of Hutto makes a leaping touchdown catch against Vista Ridge on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 at Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park, Texas.
Paul Knight/Special to American-Statesman
Hutto’s Jaiden Fields (1) celebrates on the ground after making a touchdown catch against Vista Ridge on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 at Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park, Texas.
Paul Knight/Special to American-Statesman
For the second straight week, Fields finished with more than 200 yards receiving as he hauled in 11 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns Thursday during a 35-34 win over Vista Ridge at Gupton Stadium.
“(Hutto coach Eli Reinhart) trusts me to make plays with the ball in my hands, and (Stefek) puts the ball in a great position for me to catch it,” said Fields, who already has six 100-yard games, 1,198 yards and 15 touchdowns receiving. “Their linebackers were crashing pretty hard tonight, so dumping it over the linebackers was working well.”
After trailing 20-7 at halftime, Hutto’s offense came alive the final two quarters. Fields recorded eight catches and 149 yards in the second half, with his last two receptions being for TDs as the Hippos rallied from a 34-21 deficit early in the fourth quarter.
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“It’s pretty easy being a quarterback throwing the ball to Jaiden Fields,” quipped Stefek, who threw for 230 of his 285 yards and all three of his touchdowns and ran for a score after the break. “You just let him run downfield, try to get him the ball and let him work with it.”
Fields is more than just a great receiver, though. He also plays safety, returns kicks and is on special teams for the Hippos.
“There’s not too many like him, and I don’t think there’ll be many more after him like that,” Reinhart said. “Even (former Colorado two-way player and current Jacksonville Jaguar) Travis Hunter got breaks. Fields doesn’t get no breaks. … He finds a way to prepare himself every week for what is going to be 160 snaps. He’s a special player.”
Hutto is having a special season, too. In Reinhart’s first year, the Hippos (7-2, 6-1 District 25-6A) clinched a playoff berth and have their most wins since 2019. They’re still alive for the district title — though they need some help in that regard — and with a win next week would be the district’s top seed in the Division I playoffs.
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“It’s huge to come in year one and get in the playoffs and beat some teams they had lost to in years past,” Reinhart said. “It’s an unbelievable experience for our guys, and … they’re enjoying the process and what it takes. … Winning is hard, and you have to cherish it when it happens.”
Hutto’s defense comes through
Though Hutto is known for its offense, its defense made several clutch plays Thursday.
The Hippos forced three turnovers, had three sacks, produced a fourth-down stop, made the Rangers kick two short field goals and gave up less than 350 yards of offense. Hunter Frenette’s interception with less than a minute to play secured the win.
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“It’s good to know that when the offense has saved you a couple of times, that we as a defense can go out there and make plays for them,” linebacker Brayden Daniel said. “We came out and put all our effort into the game … and we’re just stacking on great things with the guys this season.”
Other notable stats
Hutto
Chavies rushed for 25 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes for 48 yards and a score
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Vista Ridge
Cameron Lacek threw for 217 yards and a TD
Quinn Szcytowski rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns
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Amare Jordan had an 11-yard TD run