<\/p>\n
Dripping Springs Tigers quarterback Chase Ames (1) sends a pass against the Westlake Chaparrals during the second quarter at the District 26-6A football game on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Westlake High School in West Lake Hills, TX.<\/p>\n
JOHN GUTIERREZ PHOTO\/John Gutierrez for American Stat<\/p>\n
At the midway point of the Texas high school state football playoffs, the Austin area has been carried by Class 6A teams. While most Central Texas teams have been eliminated, Lake Travis, Dripping Springs and Vandegrift <\/a>have reached one of their goals by playing into December. The most intriguing matchup this week pits defending Class 6A\u00a0Division II state champion\u00a0Vandegrift\u00a0against red-hot Dripping Springs. This will be a rematch of the season opener, a 41-14 win for the Tigers on\u00a0Aug. 29.<\/p>\n Player of the week: Chase Ames<\/p>\n The Dripping Springs quarterback was perfect in a 45-14 regional semifinal win over Medina Valley, completing all 18 of his passes for 318 yards and six touchdowns<\/a>. A junior in his first season as the starter, Ames has had a tremendous year, throwing 45 touchdowns while averaging 259 passing yards a game.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Anderson wide receiver Jay Fullmer (21) hurdles McCallum defensive lineman Tucker Satterfield (53) as the McCallum defense attempt to bring him down in the first half of the Shoal Creek Showdown as the McCallum Knights and Anderson Trojans open their football season at House Park in Austin, Aug. 28, 2025. The Trojans won the game 37-2.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman McCallum Head Coach Tom Gammerdinger yells to his team in the first half of the Shoal Creek Showdown as the McCallum Knights and Anderson Trojans open their football season at House Park in Austin, Aug. 28, 2025. The Trojans won the game 37-2.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman McCallum warms up ahead of the game between the McCallum Knights and Bastrop Bears at House Park in Austin, Sept. 25, 2025<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman McCallum quarterback Aiden Ilai (12) dives over the play to score a touchdown in the first half of the game between the McCallum Knights and Bastrop Bears at House Park in Austin, Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman McCallum Head Coach Thomas Gammerdinger walks the field as his team warms up ahead of the game between the McCallum Knights and Bastrop Bears at House Park in Austin, Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman Bastrop takes the field ahead of the game between the McCallum Knights and Bastrop Bears at House Park in Austin, Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman In Bastrop wide receiver Zac Wilkinson (17) catches a pass in the end zone to score a touchdown in the first half of the game between the McCallum Knights and Bastrop Bears at House Park in Austin, Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman Bastrop walks out of the locker room ahead of the game between the McCallum Knights and Bastrop Bears at House Park in Austin, Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman Bastrop quarterback Weston Nielsen (13) carries the ball as McCallum defensive lineman Nash Wegner (50) gives chase in the first half of the game between the McCallum Knights and Bastrop Bears at House Park in Austin, Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman Bastrop lineman Tiki Hola (55) gestures for a call In the first half of the game between the McCallum Knights and Bastrop Bears at House Park in Austin, Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman Hays huddles on the field ahead of the game against Pflugervile at the Pfield on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 in Pflugerville, Texas.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Pflugerville receiver Qualyn Penson (14) jumps into the endzone for a touchdown during the game against Hays at the Pfield on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 in Pflugerville, Texas.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Hays captains take the field for the coin toss ahead of the game against Pflugervile at the Pfield on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 in Pflugerville, Texas.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Pflugerville defensive back Jaedon Walker (30) intercepts a dropped pass intended for Hays receiver Jayden Gingrow (8) during the game at the Pfield on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 in Pflugerville, Texas.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Pflugerville receiver Qualyn Penson (14) runs the ball down the sideline during the game against Hays at the Pfield on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 in Pflugerville, Texas.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Hays players huddle on the field during the game against Pflugervile at the Pfield on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 in Pflugerville, Texas.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman Quarterback Rees Wise (9) leads his team in a prayer as the Westlake Chaparrals take the field ahead of their against the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman Quarterback Rees Wise (9) hypes up his team as the Westlake Chaparrals take the field ahead of their against the Steele Knights at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Sept. 19, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman LBJ defensive back Antione Baker (7) plays against Manor New Tech on Oct. 9, 2025 at Nelson Field in Austin, Texas.?<\/p>\n Paul Knight\/Special to American-Statesman LBJ wideout Javarlyn Smith (0) picks up yards after the catch against Manor New Tech on Oct. 9, 2025 at Nelson Field in Austin, Texas.??<\/p>\n Paul Knight\/Special to American-Statesman Hays Hawks kicker Wyatt Deleon (45) for the field goal against the Hays Hawks during the first quarter at the District 12-5A football game on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at the Bob Shelton Stadium in Hays County, Texas.<\/p>\n John Gutierrez\/Special to American-Statesman Hays Hawks charge the field before the game against the Weiss Wolves at the District 12-5A football game on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at the Bob Shelton Stadium in Hays County, Texas.<\/p>\n John Gutierrez\/Special to American-Statesman Referee Terance McCann tosses the coin between the Hays Hawks and the Weiss Wolves at the District 12-5A football game on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at the Bob Shelton Stadium in Hays County, Texas.<\/p>\n John Gutierrez\/Special to American-Statesman Weiss Wolves charge the field before the game against the Hays Hawks at the District 12-5A football game on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at the Bob Shelton Stadium in Hays County, Texas.<\/p>\n John Gutierrez\/Special to American-Statesman Weiss Wolves head coach Malcolm Hill talks to his team after the 50-8 win against the Hays Hawks at the District 12-5A football game on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at the Bob Shelton Stadium in Hays County, Texas.<\/p>\n John Gutierrez\/Special to American-Statesman Hays Hawks head coach Mark Torres talks to is team after the 50-8 loss against the Weiss Wolves at the District 12-5A football game on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at the Bob Shelton Stadium in Hays County, Texas.<\/p>\n John Gutierrez\/Special to American-Statesman Weiss Wolves rush the field to begin the second half against the Hays Hawks at the District 12-5A football game on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at the Bob Shelton Stadium in Hays County, Texas.<\/p>\n John Gutierrez\/Special to American-Statesman Hays Highsteppers team perform during halftime at the District 12-5A football game against the Weiss Wolves on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at the Bob Shelton Stadium in Hays County, Texas.<\/p>\n John Gutierrez\/Special to American-Statesman Weiss Wolves wide receiver Dallas Schad (11), left, rushes over to give his brother quarterback Jaxon Schad (15) a chest bump for the keeper touchdown during the third quarter at the District 12-5A football game on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at the Bob Shelton Stadium in Hays County, Texas.<\/p>\n John Gutierrez\/Special to American-Statesman<\/p>\n Game balls<\/p>\n Dripping Springs Tigers wide receiver Merrik Bloomgren (7) completes the pass against the Westlake Chaparrals during the second quarter at the District 26-6A football game on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Westlake High School in West Lake Hills, TX.<\/p>\n JOHN GUTIERREZ PHOTO\/John Gutierrez for American Stat<\/p>\n Merrik Bloomgren, Dripping Springs WR: Had 4 catches for 105 yards and 2 TDs in the win over Medina Valley<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Carter Buck, Lake Travis DE: Had\u00a04 sacks in a 45-7 playoff win over Laredo United<\/p>\n Luke Davis,\u00a0Vandegrift LB: Had 8 solo tackles, 1 assist and 2\u00a0sacks in 24-7 win over San Marcos<\/p>\n Jack Devine, Regents QB: Was 17 of 28 for 257 yards and 3\u00a0TDs in a 49-35 loss to Fort Worth All Saints<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Maverick Jacobs, Wimberley RB: Rushed for 129 yards and a TD in a\u00a035-26 loss to Sinton<\/a><\/p>\n Noah McPeak, Weiss LB: 14 tackles, caused a fumble and blocked a punt in a 34-31 loss to Barbers Hill<\/p>\n MORE: Jett Walker, Trae Hill highlight All-District 8-5A team<\/a><\/p>\n MORE: Georgetown lineman flips to join Texas Longhorns<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Other notable performances<\/p>\n Hugo De La Vara Vasquez, Vandegrift DE: Harassed San Marcos with 6 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 QB pressures.<\/p>\n Cody Greenwood, Llano LB: Earned 10 tackles in a 31-7 win over Goliad.<\/p>\n Vann Hopping, Lake Travis RB: Rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown<\/a> in the victory over United.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n James Montgomery, Dripping Springs WR: Finished with 5 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in the win over Medina Valley.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n