Rick Cantu

Defensive end Hugo de la Vara Vazquez had to endure long wait to return to U.S. after family visas were stolen in Italy this summer. A senior, he's back for final final month as a football player. 

Dripping Springs quarterback Chase Ames has been named the American-Statesman's player of the week. He threw 6 TDs and no incompletions in a playoff win.

Four Central Texas schools remain in the 2025 state high school football playoffs: Lake Travis, Vandegrift, Dripping Springs and Llano. Here's when they play.

Dripping Springs advanced to next week's Class 6A DII state quarterfinals behind QB Chase Ames' perfect game: 18-for-18 passing with 6 TDs in a 45-14 win.

Rouse offensive lineman Daniel Rybarski, our Faces off the field interview, aspires to join the U.S. Coast Guard and learn to fly helicopters someday.

What are we most thankful for? From the friends they've made to the family that's there for them, Central Texas high school athletes are putting the thanks in Thanksgiving this year.

Two of District 8-5A DI's top players combined for nearly 3,800 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns this year: Georgetown's Jett Walker and Cedar Park's Trae Hill.

Nine Central Texas schools remain in the 2025 state football playoffs, including Vandegrift, Lake Travis and San Marcos in Class 6A.

On a night when Lake Travis' offense produced only one touchdown, its defense didn't allow any in a gritty 13-7 win over S.A. Brennan in the 6A DI playoffs.

Cedar Park running back Trae Hill, who rushed for 374 yards and five touchdowns in a bi-district playoff win, is our Austin-area player of the week.