A closer look at the Cedar Park Timberwolves, the No. 9 team in our countdown to the 2024 preseason in Austin-area high school football.
Three questions for Cedar Park Football
1. Can the defense be good enough to win the district?
The Timberwolves were very good on defense last year, with three players making the Statesman’s All-Central Texas team, but seven starters came from that squad. This year’s version doesn’t have to be dominant, but a step back would be only natural. How well an inexperienced defensive line adapts will be crucial.
2. What happens to the passing game?
Last year’s dynamic quarterback Ayden Arp and solid wide receiver Blake Suber have graduated, leaving a loss of production to make up for. However, injuries late in the season forced the undergraduate wide receivers to play the entire team’s final playoff game against A&M Consolidated. While still inexperienced, there is talent at the wide receiver position. Sophomore David Cooper looks ready to take over the quarterback position, benefiting from an offensive line that returns nearly intact.
RELATED: No. 9 Cedar Park enters the 2024 season as one of the best football teams in Central Texas
3. Is Cedar Park in danger this season?
The junior class is well-stocked and the sophomore and freshman classes are solid. 2025 could be a special year for the Timberwolves, but 2024 must be the focus. Cedar Park should not look ahead to the potentially phenomenal times ahead, but live in the present, because this year could be a memorable one too.
Three key players for the Timberwolves
QB David Cooper: The sophomore takes over the center position. He doesn’t need to throw for 3,000 yards, but he does need to make some plays to take the pressure off the running game. At 6’3″, he’ll be tough for opposing defenses to bring down.
OL Wyatt Valiente: The offensive line may be the most important position for Cedar Park. It is the most experienced and has a ton of talent, with Valiente providing leadership and consistency.
RB Trae Hill: A lot is riding on Hill, the Statesman’s 2023 Rookie of the Year, as he is no longer an unknown and will be the focal point of any opposing defense, but he has the talent to handle it.
Emptying the notebook
This wide receiver group could surprise. There are no major additions yet – and they may not be impressive when you get off the bus, but they appear to have sure hands and plenty of speed. Keep an eye on Zane Claybrook, Kaden Morris and Hudson Cuevas.
The school prides itself on its challenging non-district schedule, and Cedar Park coach Michael Quintero cites it as the reason for its consistent success in district play and the postseason.
“We’ve already been tested, played defensively and played against really good teams,” he said. “Our kids have to grow up fast. You don’t have time to acclimate during the season if you’ve never played against anyone good.”
The offseason was a tremendous success for the Timberwolves, Quintero noted, saying it was the best season he’s ever seen in his 25 years as a coach: “We’ve seen a commitment in the weight room that I haven’t seen in a long time. And that has to do with leadership. We have good leaders who hold each other accountable.”
This is one of the best linebacker units in the Austin area for Class 5A schools. Jahiem Porter and Logan Wicketts are stars that would start almost anywhere. They will have to be as good as advertised since the defensive line is a bit of an unknown.
