Vandegrift wins first state football championship with 24-17 victory over Southlake Carroll

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

ARLINGTON, TEXAS (December 21, 2024) The Vandegrift Vipers made history Saturday, winning their first-ever football state championship by defeating Southlake Carroll 24-17 in the UIL Class 6A Division II title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

The Vipers, now 15-1, played as a team all season, and Saturday was no different. Head coach Drew Sanders, who has led the program since its start 14 years ago, praised the team’s unity.

“These guys aren’t flashy, but they love each other,” Sanders said. “Every challenge they faced this year, they just said yes.”

Southlake Carroll (15-1) took an early lead with a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Angelo Renda to Brody Knowles. But Vandegrift answered quickly. Junior quarterback Miles Teodecki launched an 84-yard touchdown pass to George Farley to tie the game. Teodecki, named the game’s offensive MVP, completed 14 of 17 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior running back Brendan Fournier took over from there, scoring two touchdowns before halftime. He ran in a 2-yard score and caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Teodecki with just 14 seconds left in the second quarter. Fournier rushed for 160 yards on 28 carries and added 27 receiving yards.

The Vipers’ defense shut down Southlake Carroll’s running game, allowing just 53 rushing yards on 17 carries. Senior linebacker Scott Buchanan earned defensive MVP honors with seven tackles, a fumble recovery, and two pass breakups.

Despite a fourth-quarter rally by the Dragons, Vandegrift held strong. Adam Scott led the team with nine tackles and a forced fumble, while Matthew Draeken and Jack Huerkamp each grabbed key interceptions.

“This means so much to us and all the players who came before us,” said Scott. “We got it done, but we’re standing on the work they started.”

The Vipers’ only loss this season came early against Cedar Park in Week 2, but they finished strong to claim the school’s first state football championship.

For the Dragons, Renda threw for 351 yards and two touchdowns but also had two interceptions. Receiver Brock Boyd stood out with 13 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown.