Vandegrift players compete for spots on the fall roster during the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Parents of players competed in the annual ‘Glory Days’ flag football game at halftime at the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
By ZACH SMITH
Four Points News
The atmosphere was much more like a festival than a football game on Thursday as the Vandegrift Vipers team wrapped up spring practice with its annual silver-black spring game at Monroe Stadium where silver beat the black 22-7.
The event was a part of “Thursday Night Bites” which featured food trucks and the annual “Glory Days” flag football game with dads of many of the players.
“It might have been our biggest crowd ever,” Vandegrift head coach Drew Sanders said. “There’s lots excitement about our program. That’s what you want because you’re playing against yourself. Our community loves football.”
Last season, the Vipers won four of their last five district games to finish 5-2 in district play and earn a playoff spot for the fourth straight season. Vandegrift scored twice in the fourth quarter and rallied to beat San Antonio Johnson 28-27 in the first round before falling to eventual state finalist Cibolo Steele in Round 2.
Quarterback Alex Fernandes threw for 1559 yards 11 touchdowns with seven interceptions and was the fourth leading rusher for the Vipers with 299 yards and three scores. He’s off to UTEP and a trio of underclassmen are looking to fill his shoes.
Incoming students — senior Justin Moore, junior Davis Beal, and sophomore Dru Dawson — are all in the running to start the season under center for Vandegrift.
“We have been pleased with all three guys and what they’ve done this spring,” Sanders said. “We’re close to arriving at a choice. We’re going to go back and review the tape and make a decision.”
Aside from the starting quarterback, Sanders pointed out a bunch of other players he expects to help lead the Vipers next season.
On the sidelines during the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Vendors and food trucks were a part of the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Vandegrift players compete for spots on the fall roster during the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
A pair of defenders works to bring down running back Mack Parker during the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Parents of players competed in the annual ‘Glory Days’ flag football game at halftime at the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Parents of players competed in the annual ‘Glory Days’ flag football game at halftime at the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Parents of players competed in the annual ‘Glory Days’ flag football game at halftime at the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Vandegrift players compete for spots on the fall roster during the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Vandegrift players compete for spots on the fall roster during the annual spring football game and “Thursday Night Bites” festival at Vandegrift High School on Thursday, May 25, 2017.