Bears growl in Class 5A area victory over University 69-42
- Jim Irish
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 56 minutes ago
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 defending champion Randle at 1 p.m. Saturday at Prairie View A&M University.
"That’s all we talked about all offseason is playing on Thanksgiving,” Griedl said about the inscription on the team’s practice jerseys. "It’s incredible. Awesome.”
On a sunny, mild afternoon at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor stadium, Bastrop displayed the intensity and ability to convert on turnovers.
"That's all we talked about all offseason is playing on Thanksgiving. ..."
-- Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl
University (7-5) made a poor snap on a fourth-down punt on the first possession of the contest.
Bastrop defenders covered the punter on the 13-yard line.
On a run-pass option, Bastrop quarterback Weston Nielsen chose to run and scampered in from the 13 for the first score of the game in the first quarter.
"We took advantage of a mishap,” Griedl said. "In a game like this, those are the things you gotta capitalize on.”
The miscue was one of three for University, giving Bastrop momentum early.
"Special teams are important,” University head coach Charles Foster said. “All three phases matter.”
Bastrop running back Gary Jefferson played a monumental role in the victory. The senior transfer from Elgin either sped past or dazzled University defenders with his cuts for 381 yards and scored rushing touchdowns of 2, 9, 9, 51, 47, and 53 yards.
His first touchdown, however, was a 23-yard swing pass from Nielsen in the first quarter for a 14-0 lead.
If Jefferson breaks through the line of scrimmage, he has the speed and cutting ability to beat the defensive secondary.
"He’s special,” Griedl said about Jefferson.
With breakaway receiver Dallas Crescenzo injured, Nielsen kept his passes short, completing 15-of-24 for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
Brent Carter and Zac Wilkinson each had a touchdown reception. Wilkinson and Carter currently have 14 and 10 touchdowns for the season, respectively.
Bastrop’s defense smothered University’s running game. Quarterback Savoy Nichols was the team’s leading rusher with 44 yards on four carries.
“They’re physical up front,” Foster said about Bastrop’s defensive line. “That (Tiki Hola), he’s a load.”
Griedl said he and his staff stressed in practice the necessity of a physical defense.
“We said all week the toughest, most violent team is gonna win,” he said. "That was our challenge to the kids.”
"We said all week the toughest, most violent team is gonna win. ..."
-- Griedl
With no success on the run, Nichols, a 6-foot-5 junior, went to the air, hitting 20-36 passes for 472 yards and four touchdowns. He had two interceptions.
His favorite target, London Smith, a 6-2 junior, beat Bastrop cornerback Willie White, who looked bewildered, on several passes. Smith, a Baylor University commit, finished with nine receptions for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
"He’s probably the best wide receiver in Class 5A football,” Griedl said. “He’s lethal.”
Bastrop committed no turnovers and few penalties.
Randle (12-0) has won 28 consecutive games and will present a huge challenge in the regional semifinals.
"It’s the third round of the playoffs,” Griedl said. “Play the No. 1 team in the state. See where we match up. Sooner or later, you gotta play the best. There are 16 teams left in the state, and we’re one of ‘em.”
Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas