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The Elgin Wildcats varsity football team is coming off a historic season, earning the program’s first playoff win in nearly a decade with a 43-16 victory over San Antonio Jefferson in the bi-district round.
The last time Elgin won a postseason game was during the 2014-15 season, when it edged out Huntsville, 24-20. Both the current and 2014-15 teams had similar paths — starting the year with three losses before catching fire in district play.
The 2014-15 Wildcats opened the season with a high-scoring 55-43 loss to Leander Vandegrift. Quarterback Kyle Snell paced the offense, going 13-of-22 for 255 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. While the offense was productive, Elgin couldn’t keep up with the Vipers, who racked up over 600 total yards.
The Wildcats bounced back in Week 2 with a 45-34 win over Bastrop, as Snell connected frequently with his brother, Cody Snell, who hauled in three receiving touchdowns. Kyle Snell threw for 239 yards and two scores in the victory.
Elgin dropped its next two non-district contests — falling 35-22 to Leander Vista Ridge and 51-34 to College Station — but found its rhythm in district play.
The Wildcats opened district play with a commanding 40-17 win over Waco University. Snell threw for 151 yards and a touchdown and added 121 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
In a thrilling overtime matchup against Manor, running back Jordan Smith sealed the 23-17 victory with his second rushing touchdown of the night. Elgin then took down Pflugerville Connally, 17-6, in a defensive battle, highlighted by Joshua Gordon’s 10 tackles and Fentrese Milligan’s two tackles for loss. Smith and utility player Gabriel Perez each scored a touchdown.
Elgin followed up with a 21-17 win over Hutto. The Wildcats jumped out to a 14-0 lead before the Hippos rallied to tie the game before halftime. Hutto pulled ahead with a field goal in the fourth quarter, but Elgin answered with a game-winning touchdown to keep its streak alive.
The Wildcats dominated Waco, 47-21, behind Smith’s 181 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Snell threw for 187 yards and two scores. Elgin’s lone district loss came in a 42-14 setback to eventual state runner-up Temple, in which the offense struggled, managing fewer than 350 total yards.
In the bi-district round, despite two interceptions from Snell, the Wildcats defeated Huntsville, 2420, behind standout performances from Smith — who rushed for 206 yards and a touchdown — and Donavan Thomas, who scored twice.
Elgin’s season came to a heartbreaking end in a 45-42 loss to Brenham in the area round. The Wildcats trailed 28-14 at halftime but stormed back to make it a three-point game. Smith rushed for four touchdowns, and wide receiver Douglas Irby added 112 receiving yards and a score.
Snell finished the season with 1,948 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while adding 859 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Smith led the offense with 1,311 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns, also leading the team in receiving with 562 yards and six touchdowns.
Cody Snell had a strong season as well, posting 537 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Defensively, Milligan led the way with 83 total tackles, including 17 tackles for loss. Cody Snell recorded 82 tackles, and Perez added 76.
