'We were going to score ... no matter what:' Round Rock clutch late to beat Vandegrift

Round Rock secured a thrilling 41-38 victory over Vandegrift in a non-district football game on September 18th, 2026. Quarterback Dov Stickler, who had lost to Vandegrift in previous years, vowed that his team would perform differently this season. With less than two minutes remaining and trailing 38-34, Stickler rallied his offense, stating, "I'm thinking we're going to go win it. And that's because I trust my offense and I know that we're going to make plays. We were going to score on that drive no matter what happened."

Stickler connected with Simon Sylvain for a 47-yard touchdown pass, giving the Dragons a lead of 41-38. It marked the first win over Vandegrift for Round Rock since 2021 and capitalized on Stickler's impressive performance, where he threw for 325 yards and five touchdowns. Stickler's aerial displays were remarkable, with touchdown passes of 51, 11, 75, 67, and 47 yards, averaging over 32 yards per completion.

Round Rock's defense also played a crucial role, stopping Vandegrift's fourth-and-3 from the Dragons' 5-yard line with under two minutes left. Defensive linemen Ford Lucas and Ellis King halted Vandegrift running back Evan Williamson, preventing a crucial fourth-down conversion. This defensive play bolstered the momentum for Round Rock's successful two-minute drill, culminating in a 41-38 triumph.