CEDAR PARK — The Hutto Hippos varsity football team clinched its first playoff berth in four years with a dramatic 35-34 comeback victory over the Vista Ridge Rangers on Thursday, Oct. 30, at Gupton Stadium.
Junior defensive back Hunter Frenette sealed the win with an interception in the final 38 seconds, securing a postseason spot for the Hippos.
Hutto fell behind 10-0 early in the second quarter after turning the ball over on downs and allowing the Rangers to capitalize with a touchdown and a field goal.
The Hippos finally got on the board when senior running back Keilan Chavies scored on a 19-yard run, set up by a long kickoff return and a face mask penalty that gave Hutto a short field.
Vista Ridge continued to control the game on the ground and extended its lead to 17-7 with 5:23 left in the first half. The Rangers added a late field goal to make it 20-7, and a Hutto drive just before halftime ended with a goal-line interception.
The Hippos came out energized in the second half as quarterback Kaden Stefek connected with Chavies for an 18-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 20-14. Vista Ridge responded with another long scoring drive to make it 27-14, but Hutto refused to go away.
Stefek found the end zone himself on a 3-yard run to make it 27-21, though the Rangers answered again to extend their lead to 34-21 with 11:55 remaining.
Hutto then mounted its comeback, scoring 14 unanswered points. Stefek connected with junior wide receiver Jaiden Fields for touchdown passes of 6 and 15 yards to give the Hippos their first lead, 35-34, with 6:50 left in the game.
Stefek finished with 263 total yards and four touchdowns. Fields led all receivers with 170 yards and two scores, while Chavies totaled 70 yards and two touchdowns.
Vista Ridge had one final chance to rally, but Frenette’s interception sealed the win as Hutto celebrated its return to the postseason.
The Hippos will look to clinch a share of the district championship when they host McNeil on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.
