By SCOTT W. COLEMAN, Four Points News

The District 17-5A champion Temple Wildcats blew through the competition in a geographically monstrous district that includes teams from Waco, College Station and Pflugerville, winning by an average of more than 30 points a game.

Though the margin of victory has dropped in the postseason, the Wildcats have continued to show that they can pass when they need (442 yards against Waco University and 377 against Ridge Point in a third-round playoff game) and run when the game plan calls for it (449 yards against Pflugerville Connally and 511 against A&M Consolidated).

For Vandegrift, the offense has been consistently among the best in Central Texas. It’s the defense that has grown and matured throughout the season and the Viper defense is playing its best in the postseason.

“Our defense has completely changed these last three weeks,” said Vipers head coach Drew Sanders.

The Viper defense has been opportunistic, winning the turnover battle this postseason. It has also been resilient, holding opponents on several fourth-down attempts, including several in deep Vandegrift territory. That improvement has been crucial to the postseason campaign. Now, just one win away from competing for a state championship, this Saturday’s game will be the biggest in school history. And the Vipers will need to play their best game yet.