52-49 THRILLER
First time since 2018
HUTTO — In a game that lived up to the hype, the Hutto Hippos fought off McNeil in a 52-49 shootout Friday night to clinch a share of their first district championship since 2018 — accomplishing the feat in head coach Eli Reinhart’s first season at the helm.
“It’s been a great year,” Reinhart said. “Our kids have been awesome and have really accepted the challenge to turn this thing around. We are excited about this opportunity and have made the most of it.”
The Hippos (8-2, 7-1 district) capped a statement regular season under Reinhart, earning the crown behind a dominant performance from senior running back Keilan Chavies, who rushed for 280 yards and a touchdown to power the offense.
Chavies set the tone early with a 45-yard scoring run on the opening drive to give Hutto a 7-0 lead. McNeil responded with a touchdown of its own, but the Hippos continued to push the pace.
Junior receiver Dylan Owens found the end zone on an end-around to make it 14-7, and later caught a touchdown pass from senior quarterback Kaden Stefek to put Hutto back in front 21-14 midway through the second quarter.
The Hippos built a two-score cushion when Stefek hit junior Jaiden Fields for a 25-yard catch-and-run touchdown, stretching the lead to 28-14. A late field goal before halftime gave Hutto a 31-21 advantage.
McNeil opened the second half with momentum after recovering a Hutto fumble at midfield and turning it into points to make it 31-28. From there, the game turned into a fireworks show, as the teams traded touchdowns nearly every possession.
Fields hauled in his second touchdown of the night from 7 yards out to make it 38-35, and Owens continued his huge night with another rushing score late in the third quarter to give the Hippos a 45-35 lead.
Hutto’s defense delivered a critical fourth-down stop near its own 40-yard line, but the Hippos were stopped at the Mavericks’ 3-yard line on the ensuing possession.
Stefek suffered a right ankle injury on that drive but later returned with it wrapped, leading the Hippos’ final scoring drive.
McNeil responded with a 97-yard drive capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to pull within 45-42 with 5:00 left. Chavies and the Hippo offense answered with a drive that chewed up the clock, capped by Owens’ fourth touchdown of the night — a 2-yard jet sweep that made it 52-42 with 1:57 remaining.
McNeil found the end zone once more with 1:11 left, but Hutto recovered the onside kick, and the district championship celebration was on at Hutto Memorial Stadium.
“It is an amazing environment here, and it was rocking tonight,” Reinhart said.
“I know it will be rocking again next week, so it truly is a home-field advantage. It’s really great to have a home playoff game and for our kids to experience it.”
The Hippos will now host Bowie in the opening round of the playoffs on Friday, Nov.
14.
The Hutto Hippos senior football athletes pose for a picture Friday after a victory over McNeil. Photo courtesy of Hutto ISD
