Drew Sanders is celebrating triple digits these days. After the Vandegrift varsity football team beat Stony Point 20 – 17 at Ed W. Monroe Memorial Stadium on Nov. 8, it marked not only an undefeated season for the Vipers but also the 100th career win for head coach Sanders.

As the 10-0 Vipers go into the playoffs on Nov. 15 at home vs Cypress’ Bridgeland, Sanders reflects on what brought him to this milestone moment in a Four Points News Q&A. 

• What does 100 wins mean to you? 

When I think of a hundred wins, it reminds me more of kids and relationships than the scoreboard. Coaching has always been about caring about kids to me, so I think of all the kids I’ve coached over my head coaching career and all the fun we’ve had, the relationships I’ve built and of course, I do think about my favorite wins sometimes too. But honestly, after the game on Friday, I just thought of all the amazing young men I’ve coached and mentored.

• How many years did this take you?

I was a varsity head coach at W.B. Travis High School for three years and I’ve been at Vandegrift for 11 years, but only 10 of those years we had a varsity record. So it’s taken me 13 years to compile 100 career wins.

1. Has this been one of your goals as a coach?

One hundred wins wasn’t even thought of when I began coaching. I was just hoping to win enough games to keep my job each year. And the goal stays the same each year.

• What has been was one of your most challenging wins?

It was very difficult at the beginning of Vandegrift to beat the school we came from, Cedar Park. Of course they are an excellent program and coached very well, which made it even more difficult. But to have beaten them three out of the last six years is a rewarding accomplishment. And any playoff win (especially 6A) is particularly rewarding because each one is so difficult to get. 

• What was one of your most rewarding/special wins?

I really enjoyed the Klein Collins double overtime win last year. It was so great, on the road, against one of the best 6A programs in the state. And it took us further than we’ve ever been in class 6A. I really enjoyed the LBJ game in 2014, that punched our ticket to the 5A final four. That was a back and forth game against a great team. But every win is special in its own way.

• What are some of the most important keys of making it to this milestone? 

I think I’ve learned over the years that enjoying what you are doing is ok too. When I was younger, I never really stopped to look around and enjoy the moment, too worried about the next win. As I’ve matured, I enjoyed my relationships more, the wins are sweeter and I take time to enjoy each win for 24 hours. After each win, one of my favorite traditions is for my wife, Janet, and I (sometimes the kids tag along) to go out to eat and celebrate at some point that weekend. We talk about the game, go over every detail and enjoy recapping with each one. It’s one of my favorite things about coaching.

• Any other comments about this momentous occasion?

I just am so thankful for my Vandegrift family. From my principal, Charlie Little, Phyllis Boddorf, and my AD, Coach Hormann to all the people I get a chance to work with at Vandegrift High. They are all instrumental in all that we do as a football program. And the band, cheer, Legacy directors have been such a huge part of our success. We are all great friends. And I’m very appreciative to all of our booster parents and football parents for all their unwavering support and my coaching staff has been tremendous. I say it all the time, but Vandegrift High School is the best high school in the state.