After an undefeated run through district, the Van Vleck Leopards fell before the Riesel Indians 21-12 in the bi-district championship game in Caldwell Friday, Nov. 12.
Riesel used its heavier offensive and defensive front lines to overpower Van Vleck.
The Indians had 141 yards rushing and 38 passing, while Van Vleck had 40 yards rushing and 37 passing.
Van Vleck quarterback Payton Brown was the Leps leading rusher with six carries for 26 yards and a touchdown, followed by Cam Austin with eight carries and 13 yards and a touchdown.
In passing, Brown was 3 of 10 for 37 yards and an interception.
Leopard Sam Brooks had an interception he returned for 32 yards.
“Yes, we were a bit out manned in size, but the truth is we let ourselves slip after three really emotional weeks at the end of district,” said Leopard Head Coach Rodney Dowell.
“We allowed ourselves to coast and be complacent,” he added.
“The way you handle great success is always going to be the true character of your program over time.
“This was our first step...
Big step, but now we have to learn from this and move on,” Dowell said.
“The ‘district’ title alone is not enough anymore, so we have to prepare for a bigger stage.
“This will make us better, this will make us improve or it will make us stronger.
“We cannot allow it to be a ‘bleep’ on the radar and pass us by.”
Dowell commented that Riesel and Coach Tyler Crowe did a great job.
“We wish them the best, but we are so very thankful to our seniors who will always be the first to get this program started and to honor them we must continue it and we will,” Dowell said.
