Austinites cheer on high school football teams playing in state
AUSTIN, Texas - Two Central Texas High School football teams played in the UIL State Championship game Saturday.
Westlake played North Crowley, but at the Oz. Tap House, the Vandegrift vipers were all the rage.
"I just came to support my team, and I think it's really amazing that they made it this far, and it's just cool to see them on TV," said Kessen Smith, a Vandegrift sophomore.
It's exciting for Smith to see some of her peers play at the biggest game of the year.
"There's a couple of players who are in my grade, and I have a bunch of friends on the dance team," said Smith.
Two years ago, Hudson Aune played on the star-studded field in Arlington. He’s cheering on his team from the tap house on Saturday.
"I'm pumped up," said Aune. "I remember I used to play, and we were, we made it to the semis whenever I was playing, but to be here up ahead by seven points, in the state game, I mean it's incredible."
That wasn't their winning year though.
But as they took on North Texas' Southlake Carroll, it didn't take long to see they were ahead of the game.
"I love these boys, and it's just a big moment for them," said Aune. "Plus, Vandergrift has never won a state championship, so if we could pull it together, it could be a huge victory for the school."
With nearly every seat at Oz Tap House occupied by vipers, the hosts are reminded of the community that high school football builds too.
"I think it's super cool how we've kind of grown our own community over the years at Oz Tap House, and everybody could be a part of it right?" said Cole Kanter, Vandegrift alum. "With River Place right here and Steiner Ranch being five minutes away, it's just such a great place and community spot to hang out."
Win or lose, there's a team of fans cheering for their boys at Cowboy Stadium.