Hutto's Last Playoff Run:
A Look Back at the 2019 Season
HUTTO — The Hutto High School varsity football team has not reached the postseason in four years, with its most recent playoff win coming during the 2019 season under then-head coach Brad LaPlante.
That year, the Hippos finished 9-3 overall and secured second place in District 11-5A with a 5-1 district record. Hutto defeated Seguin, 35-27, in the bi-district round before falling to eventual state champion Alvin Shadow Creek, 63-14, in the area round.
Hutto opened the 2019 season with a convincing 41-21 win over West Mesquite, powered by running back Mekhi Kimble, who rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Grayson Doggett threw for 265 yards and a touchdown in the victory. The following week, the Hippos struggled in a 52-17 loss to San Antonio Johnson, trailing 38-3 at halftime before scoring a pair of late touchdowns. They rebounded in Week 3 with a 42-14 win over Liberty Hill, where Kimble once again starred, rushing for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Utility Player Dajon Harrison added 115 rushing yards and a score as Hutto’s ground game racked up 347 yards.
That win sparked a four-game winning streak. Hutto defeated Del Valle, 38-14, behind Doggett’s standout performance of 465 passing yards and four touchdowns, three of which went to Harrison, who finished with 151 receiving yards.
The Hippos opened district play in a 40-27 victory against Pflugerville Connally as Doggett, Kimble and Williams each found the end zone on the ground. Doggett also threw two touchdown passes to wide receiver Trey Pinnelli.
The Hippos then picked up a 34-18 win over Georgetown.
Doggett passed for 291 yards and three touchdowns — all caught by Harrison, who also added a rushing touchdown.
Defensive end Landyn Watson led the way on defense with three tackles for loss.
Hutto's win streak came to an end in a narrow 20-16 loss to Cedar Park, a game that ultimately decided the district title. The Hippos led 7-0 after the first quarter and entered halftime tied at 10.
Hutto reclaimed the lead with a field goal early in the third, but Cedar Park answered with one of its own.
A final field goal gave Hutto a 16-13 lead before Cedar Park scored the game-winning touchdown with a minute left.
Doggett threw for 184 yards and a touchdown, and the Hippo defense finished with 16 tackles for loss.
Hutto bounced back with a dominant 54-7 victory over Pflugerville.
Doggett threw three touchdown passes, while Kimble and Williams combined for three rushing scores. Harrison, Pinnelli and Jerrod Biehle each hauled in touchdown receptions.
The following week, the Hippos took down Manor, 42-20, behind another strong performance from Kimble, who rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns. The defense allowed just 58 passing yards and came away with two interceptions.
Hutto wrapped up the regular season with a 34-15 win over Rouse.
Kimble had 82 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus 64 receiving
yards and a score. Doggett threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns, while Harrison added 101 receiving yards and a touchdown. The secondary recorded three interceptions in the win.
The Hippos carried that momentum into the playoffs, starting with a 35-27 win over Seguin in the bi-district round.
Hutto built a 25-5 halftime lead and extended it to 35-13 after three quarters before holding off a late rally from Seguin.
Kimble led the way with 174 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Doggett passed for 256 yards and three scores. Biehle contributed 107 receiving yards and a touchdown.
In the area round, Hutto ran into a powerhouse Shadow Creek squad and fell 63-14.
Doggett threw both of Hutto’s touchdowns in the loss.
Doggett finished the season with 2,319 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. Kimble surpassed 1,000 rushing yards and found the end zone 15 times.
Harrison led the receiving corps with 734 yards and eight touchdowns. On defense, junior Braylon Sugg tallied 67 total tackles, including 20 tackles for loss.
The Hippos had three players sign national letters of intent, as Harrison signed with Texas, defensive tackle Mahki Proctor with Benedictine College and Lordswill Uwa with Houston Baptist University.
