Bastrop quarterback Weston Nielsen (center) with his brothers Jace (left) and Reagan at announcement party By Jim Irish Photos by Jim Irish The secret is out. Bastrop High School junior quarterback Weston Nielsen revealed his choice to play football at a festive gathering at Old Town Restaurant and Bar last Saturday. The winner is: Arizona State University in Tempe. Only his immediate family knew his decision before the announcement. I spoke with his paternal grandfather, who

A swarming Randle defense smothers Bastrop quarterback Weston Nielsen (13) By Jim Irish Photos by Bella Rice PRAIRIE VIEW -- Bastrop had a glimpse of a potential collegiate and NFL star, mostly from behind. Linden Williams-Callis, a 5-foot-8, 200-pound junior, romped for 326 yards and six touchdown. Quick and elusive, he burst through interior holes and ran outside in Randle's 83-20 lopsided victory the Class 5A DII regional semifinals at Prairie View A&M university on Saturd

Bastrop defenders Tiki Hola (55) and Austin Moilan (44) play with controlled fury By Jim Irish Photos by Bella Rick and Jim Irish Bastrop head football coach Jake Griedl and Randle head coach Brian Randle, whose teams collide in the Class 5A DII regional semifinals, have been instrumental in their programs’ turnarounds. In his four seasons, Griedl, who previously coached at Marshall, has led the bears to records of 2-8, 5-5, 9-3, and 11-1. In his counterpart’s four seasons, R

Bastrop running back Gary Jefferson (9) fights through a tackler By Jim Irish Photos by Bella Rice BELTON -- Bastrop head football coach Jake Griedl held part of a ripped jersey with the date November 28, 2025 inscribed on it. It was a constant reminder to the Bastrop athletes of the goal of playing on Thanksgiving weekend. After a convincing 69-42 victory over University of Waco in the Class 5A DII area round on Saturday, the Bears (11-1) will confront Class 5A Division II d

Bastrop running back Gary Jefferson (9) gains some of his 184 yards against San Antonio Burbank By Jim Irish Photos by Dustyn Werner Bastrop has arrived in the state football playoffs, and the Bears are shifting personnel to gain the most advantage. Tiki Hola, Gary Jefferson, Val Regalado, and Zac Wilkinson took snaps on both sides of the football in Bastrop's 62-0 bi-district victory over San Antonio Burbank in a Class 5A Division I contest at Memorial Stadium on Friday. Hol

With his surname tatooed on his right forearm, Alister Vallejo forces a fumble by Bastrop's Weston Nielsen By Jim Irish Photos by Mikala Compton/Austin American Statesman Two plays keyed Liberty Hill’s 48-14 victory for the District 11-5A Division II crown at Liberty Hill’s Panther Stadium on Friday. First, the Panthers (8-2 overall, 7-0 in district) recovered a fumble by Bastrop running back Gary Jefferson and converted it for a touchdown and a 22-7 lead with 30 seconds rema

Bastrop running back Gary Jefferson (9) has rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season By Jim Irish Photos by Dustyn Werner Bastrop High School football is rolling like a river. The unbeaten Bears made quick work of Pflugerville 70-6 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon following the postponement of the contest on Friday night. Bastrop improved to 9-0 overall, 6-0 in District 11-5A Division 2. These games have been a prelude to next Friday’s showdown on the road agains

Cedar Creek's Anthony Scott (2) approaches the goal line for the team's only touchdown in fourth quarter By Jim Irish Photos by Dustyn Werner Anthony Scott’s eight-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter prevented Cedar Creek from suffering its third consecutive shutout. However, the Eagles were unable to halt a quick College Station offense in a 73-7 loss — their 41st consecutive — in a District 12-5A Division I contest at Memorial Stadium on Friday. Behind running ba

Cedar Creek's Anthony Scott (in blue) grinds for yards against Lockhart's Joseph Ancira (12) By Jim Irish Photos by Dustyn Werner Gregg...

Bastrop's Weston Nielsen (13) was named Dave Campbell Player of the Week in Texas against Plano Prestonwood By Jim Irish Photo by Dustyn...

Bastrop wide receiver Dallas Crescenzo caught seven passes for 215 yards against Plano Prestonwood By Jim Irish Photos by Dustyn Werner...

Bastrop wide receiver Dallas Crescenzo (1) is off to the races against Alvin on Friday By Jim Irish Photos by Chris White Dallas...

Cedar Creek's Anthony Scott (in blue) gains some of his 82 yards rushing against three Del Valle defenders By Jim Irish Photos by Chris...

Steve Mayberry works on a drill with running back LaDainian Merino in practice By Jim Irish Photos by Chris White and Jim Irish...

Cedar Creek requires a miracle after the program has plummeted in the past four years By Jim Irish Photo by Jim Irish The Cedar Creek...

Bastrop High School junior Maggie Haywood practices the long jump in preparation for the state track meet Maggie Haywood finished ninth...

Bastrop hitters managed only six hits combined in the final two games of the bi-district series By Jim Irish Photos by Chris White...

Bastrop pitcher Ella Griesenbeck allowed only two hits in a complete game win over Hendrickson on Thursday By Jim Irish Photos by Chris...

Bastrop striker Cayden Justice (left) was selected as the offensive player by District 24-5A coaches By Jim Irish Photos by Chris White...

Isaac Velasquez, a freshman midfielder, scored one of Bastrop's two goals against Lake Creek on Friday By Jim Irish Photos by Chris White...