THE YEAR IN REVIEW

The year is over. But that doesn’t mean we can’t look back and highlight some of the best sports moments. Here are top five highlights of the year (in no particular order):

Rumbler Staff|June 10, 2014

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Softball_playoffs Lockhart MS
Varsity softball celebrates their win over Lockhart in the playoffs. Photo by Morgan Spring

SOFTBALL KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK – Starting off our list is the varsity girls softball team, who made playoffs for the first time in 4A. The girls made it three rounds deep by beating Crockett and Lockhart, scoring 23 runs in those first two playoff games. In the third round, they faced district opponent Leander and lost a doubleheader to the Lions.

 

girls Soccer_playoffs Alamo Heights MS
The varsity girls react after scoring a goal in the playoff game against Alamo Heights. Photo by Morgan Spring

GIRLS SOCCER GO SIX ROUNDS DEEP IN PLAYOFFS – Another team that made a great postseason run was the varsity girls soccer team. Shutting out four opponents, the girls scored 17 goals in the first five playoff matches. They advanced to the regional tournament for the first time and faced district foe Vandegrift in the regional final. In extremely windy conditions, the girls fought a tough game that ended 0-0 in regulation. In overtime, the Vipers scored two goals and eventually went on to win the state championship.

 

Alex Pena goes for a header in the varsity boys playoff match against Marble Falls. The match was the third time the Raiders faced the Mustangs this season.
Alex Pena goes for a header in the varsity boys playoff match against Marble Falls. The match was the third time the Raiders faced the Mustangs this season.

BOYS SOCCER BRINGS HOME DISTRICT TROPHY – 2014 was also a good year for boys soccer – the guys made history by being crowned district champs and beating out Reagan, Connally and Marble Falls in the playoffs. With just two wins away from playing for state, the guys lost to Clemens 1-0. The team advanced four rounds into playoffs and scored 59 goals during the season.

 

Michael Hjort was named Coach of the Year for District 25.
Michael Hjort was named Coach of the Year for District 25.

MICHAEL HJORT NAMED TENNIS COACH OF THE YEAR – With all the success in the spring, it can be easy to forget about what happened during the fall, like when tennis coach Michael Hjort was named coach of the year. In his final season coaching, Hjort led the team to a second place team finish in district and area. The team advanced to regionals for the first time and finished fifth. In the spring, five tennis players placed at the district tournament, with a singles player and boys doubles team competing at the regional level.

 

Quarterback Billy Ray McCrary helped lead the Raiders to a 24-13 win over Leander in the first Battle for Bible.
Quarterback Billy Ray McCrary helped lead the Raiders to a 24-13 win over Leander in the first Battle for Bible.

RAIDERS WIN THE BATTLE FOR BIBLE – Our final moment takes place way back in the fall when the varsity football team won the Battle for Bible. The team had 297 rushing yards in the 24-13 win, including an explosive 76-yard run by senior Andre Alger. The rivarly between the two schools makes this game special; especially with Leander’s annoyance that the Raiders were the home team. Sharing the same stadium made for interesting signs and tweets.