2018 - Pflugerville vs Cedar Park

I enjoyed some really good barbecue at Alzer's Barbeque, then saw the district game between the Pflugerville Panthers and the Cedar Park Timberwolves.  Here's my video from this adventure:

I drove up to Cedar Park to see the Timberwolves in action against their district rival, the Pflugerville Panthers.  Pflugerville is coached by Charles Taylor, formerly the head man at McCallum.  The Panthers entered this game with a 4-5 record.  Carl Abseck has been the head coach at Cedar Park since 2015.  His team has a 5-3 record on the season.

It was a beautiful night for football.  The temperature was around 71 degrees at game time, no clouds in the sky, no mention of rain in the forecast.  I was hoping for a chance to go home dry two weeks in a row.  I was feeling giddy at the thought.

If the playoffs started now, Pflugerville would be out.  This was their last game of the regular season.  They needed a win over the T'wolves and help from somebody else to get in.  Cedar Park would be in the playoffs, but they wanted a victory to keep the momentum going.

But before I get into the game, let me talk about the barbecue I had. . .

The Barbecue

When I decided I was going to Cedar Park for football, I knew I would be heading to Alzer’s Barbeque.  I had the pleasure of eating there last year after they had been in business for just a few months (Texas Passions episode 216).  With this being a beautiful Friday evening, eating outdoors would be a joy and not a problem.

Alzer’s red food truck is still parked behind a Shell gas station at 1405 Whitestone Boulevard (FM 1431).  I parked, smelled the sweet aroma of meat smoking, and started taking a couple of pictures.  Naser spotted me, walked over, and shook my hand.  Big smile, friendly as ever.  He told his counter crew to take good care of me and they did.

Naser Alzer

I ordered a half pound of moist brisket and a couple of ribs (beef, not pork).  They loaded me up with some pickles and onions and some tea.  A nice young man brought my order over to one of the picnic tables in the shade.  I had to remind him I needed to pay for my meal, so we headed back to the register.

As it was in 2017, the barbecue at Alzer’s was fantastic.  The brisket had a nice outer bark and was full of smoky flavor.  Each bite was buttery, just melting in my mouth.  So good. . .  When people think of beef ribs, it’s often “plate short ribs”.  There’s nothing short about them, they’re the big giant brontosaurus ribs that Fred Flintstone liked.  Naser instead serves “beef back ribs” which are smaller (more like pork ribs), but also don’t sell for over $20 a pound.  These too were tender, smoky, and full of flavor.  I tried some of their sauce – a thick, red tomato based sauce that was a great compliment to the meat.   I could not finish eating my order, so I asked for some aluminum foil and a bag.  Instead Naser’s lovely wife Veronica bundled everything up for me.  Killing me with kindness.

Alzer’s Barbeque has been in business for about a year and a half now.  Super friendly people taking great pride in serving delicious barbecue.  That’s a recipe for success every time.

I rate this barbecue two Hook ‘Ems!

The Game

It was a beautiful Friday night at Gupton Stadium, especially for Timberwolves fans.  On Pflugerville’s second possession, Noah Guerrero’s pass was intercepted by Tammer Alzer.  Alzer?  That name is familiar. . .  

Quarterback Ryder Hernandez avoided the rush and threw downfield to a waiting Brandon Breed.  Breed got a step on the Panther defender and Hernandez found him for a 26 yard touchdown.  The extra point made it 7-0.

After a strong run by Elijah Oakman, the Panthers turned the ball over on downs.  Hernandez found Breed open in the end zone for a 28 yard touchdown to extend the T’wolves lead to 14-0 with 16 seconds left in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, another pass from Guerrero was intercepted, this time by Cole Hollen.  Hernandez threw to Carson Neel for a 34 yard touchdown.  The point after was no good, leaving the score 20-0.

The teams exchanged possessions in the second quarter.  After a Pflugerville punt, Cedar Park began a long drive from their 29.  They finished the drive with a three yard pass to tight end Brock Johnson.  Hernandez’s fourth touchdown pass of the first half made it 27-0.

There was more of the same in the second half.  Cedar Park scored twice in the third quarter on runs by Johnathan Stockwell and Majeston Haverda.  The Panthers scored late in the fourth quarter to make the final score 41-7.