WALLER -- Vandegrift (12-0) added to their slew of dramatic fashion-wins as they took down Klein Collins (10-2) at Waller ISD Stadium, 28-21. The Vipers rebounded from a botched field goal snap to end the first period of overtime. In the second overtime, quarterback Dru Dawson linked with receiver Trey Monguazy for the game-winning touchdown.

“We messed up on the field goal and there are a lot of teams that would have just folded right then and there,” Vandegrift head coach Drew Sanders said. “Our kids handled that and that’s probably the most impressive thing of all.

The Vipers have been no stranger to squeaking out wins late in games, as they have won four games by single digits this season, including an overtime win over Round Rock Cedar Ridge in week three. 

“This group is just having a hard time being denied — something special is happening with these guys,” Sanders said.

The Vipers had been a run-first team this season but Klein Collins keyed in on their running game and forced them to change their scheme in the second half after running back Isaiah Smallwood had just 28 yards on 10 carries. Vandegrift instead relied on their passing game as Dru Dawson passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns, including an 11-yard pass to Trey Mongauzy. Dawson thrived in the new pass-heavy offense and displayed excellent chemistry with his receiving corps. 

“You go into every game trying to run and pass but sometimes they just take things away. They took the run away so we had to pass. Dru did a really great job and we did a good job protecting him too," Sanders said. 

With the win, the Vipers now advance to the regional semifinals where they will take on the winner of Prosper-Longview, who play on Saturday night. That game will be played at Baylor's McLane Stadium next Saturday at 6 p.m.

Klein Collins came in on the other end of the dramatic game, missing a couple of chances to put the Vipers away late in the game. 

With 1:48 remaining in regulation, Klein Collins missed a potential game-winning 23-yard field goal, which would have given the Tigers a 24-21 lead. They also had a touchdown pass called back in the second overtime due to an offensive pass interference.

On the last play of the game, Isaiah Spiller caught the ball in the end zone but wasn’t able to come down with it, ending the game.

“I was just crossing my fingers hoping he would bring it down. We had an opportunity there, we had a play on the ball — the kids were exhausted there in the second overtime,” Collins head coach Adrian Mitchell said. “Unfortunately, somebody has to lose.”

Mitchell looked to get the ball in Spiller’s hands early and often and the Texas A&M commit finished the game with 159 rushing yards, 64 passing yards and two touchdowns.

“He made some big plays and made some guys miss which was huge. He’s a special kid and whenever he gets out in space it’s bad for opposing teams.”

With the loss, Collins ends a terrific season in which they won District 15-6A after suffering just a single district loss. Mitchell says that what he will miss most about the season is the incredible senior class.

“For the most part, I have known these seniors since the seventh grade and seen how they have gelled and truly become brothers,” Mitchell said. “They believed in me as a first-year head coach and they mean the world to me.”