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