Dragon defense dominates as Round Rock nips Cedar Park – Austin American-Statesman
CEDAR PARK — There were isolated flashes of offensive firepower Friday night at Gupton Stadium, but defense ruled the day in a 21-17 Round Rock win over Cedar Park. The Dragons’ Leonard Moore and Jalen Gilbert picked off Joshua Pell’s first and last pass attempts, extinguishing an early scoring threat and thwarting the Timberwolves’ last chance.
Round Rock (3-0) also recorded four sacks and 11 other tackles for loss or no gain, limiting Cedar Park to 83 rushing yards, including just 18 in the second half. The Cedar Park defense was just as stout, pushing back the Dragons 17 times for no gain or a loss.
Pell and his receivers succeeded through the air but the Dragons defense bent without breaking, surrendering the lead late in the third quarter but turning the Wolves away on their last two possessions when the game was on the line.
“That was a great win for the kids at a tough place to play,” Dragons head coach Jeff Cheatham said. “I’m proud of the kids fighting through some adversity tonight. We made the plays when it counted.”
Cheatham now has a 3-0 record at Gupton, though it took a late field goal last year to beat Vista Ridge, along with this year’s nail biter.
Cedar Park (1-2) was poised to pounce after the Dragons’ lone turnover, a fumble on the opening kickoff recovered at the Round Rock 29. But a false start preceded Pell’s errant throw to sophomore defensive back Moore to get the Dragons out of trouble. After trading punts, Trayvian McCoy-Gay drifted around left end, turned on the jets and scored 78 yards later. Collin Harwick booted the first of three extra points as Round Rock led 7-0 after one quarter.
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The Dragons scored on the second quarter’s opening drive, marching 63 yards and converting a pair of third-and-7 setups. The second conversion saw Tavori Donaldson follow blocks from Carter Wagner and Jett Jones for a 13-yard touchdown run and a 14-0 advantage eight minutes before halftime. The Timberwolves got on the board late in the second half, starting with a defensive stand as Cody Marshall and Jake McAnally stood up Donaldson at the Cedar Park 43 on fourth down, 1 yard short of the line to gain. Pell connected with Nicholas Grullon three times on the ensuing possession for gains of 11, 16 and 17 yards, the last distance resulting in a touchdown at the left pylon to trim the score to 14-7 with 1:39 on the clock. Cedar Park got the ball back at their 37 with 47 seconds left, and Pell’s 28-yard scramble initiated a drive to the Dragons 3 and a 20-yard Ralan Barr field goal as the first half ended.
The Timberwolves marched down the field to open the second half but their drive ended with Barr’s 38-yard field goal try pushing wide left. The defense got the ball back as Dylan Hufford and Michael Putney combined to stop Donaldson for no gain at the Cedar Park 44 for another turnover on downs. Pell completed passes to four receivers on a 56-yard scoring drive, capped off by his 32-yard touchdown toss to Grullon, giving the Timberwolves a 17-14 lead with 2:11 left in the third quarter.
Round Rock could not answer on their next drive, but Josh Duffer’s 42-yard punt to the Timberwolves four-yard line set up a short punt that gave the Dragons the ball at the Cedar Park 30. On third and 8 from the 17, Cochran stepped right then flung the ball left to tight end Matt Smith for the go-ahead score with 7:51 left in the contest. Pell and the offense moved from their 20 to the Dragons 25 but could not convert fourth down. Round Rock took over with 4:48 left and did not score or run out the whole clock, but did give the ball back on the Timberwolves 18 with just 32 seconds left and no timeouts. Pell stepped back to pass and was dropped by Elisha Collazo for a 10-yard loss, and with the clock ticking down his last pass fell into the arms of Gilbert playing center field.
Pell went 20-of-37 passing for 215 yards with two scores and two interceptions. Grullon was his favorite target with eight catches for 140 yards and both Timberwolves touchdowns. McCoy-Gay led all rushers with 16 carries for 100 yards and a score, while Cochran added 63 on the ground and 47 through the air with a touchdown toss.