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They're calling Rouse (Leander, Texas) High School's football season a miracle, which might be a little strong.

But most will admit that the team is certainly the best kept secret in central Texas.

Those who watch Rouse on a consistent basis, will point to middle linebacker Tim Lapaglia as one of the biggest reasons why the Raiders are where they are — in the quarterfinals of the Texas 4A Division I playoffs.

He leads a rugged defense with 147 tackles, a whopping 102 of those are solo. He consistently flies up and down the field, North and South, East and West, hunting down ball carries.

Against one of the state's leading rushing attacks in Gregory-Portland in a playoff game last week, Lapaglia recorded another 13 tackles and led a defense that held that gave up 205 yards in a 44-7 win.

See Texas playoff bracket

For his performance against Gregory and all season, Lapaglia was selected as the Austin area Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week.

Rouse not only almost shut out Gregory, but the Raiders gave up a scant 205 total yards. Gregory scored in the final two minutes when Lapaglia and all of his starters had left the field.

Not bad, considering Gregory was averaging 56 points per game in its last three contests.

Lapaglia brothers played across town at district rival Leander. But Tim went to the new school and has proved to be a big, physical presence for the last three seasons.

He helped the Raiders to a great turnaround season after seasons of 2-7-1 and 0-10. They are now 9-4 heading into quarterfinal play against Corpus Christi Flour Bluff at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday.

Tim's leadership and strong play have helped turned this understandably struggling program to the promised land.

Besides all those tackles he's second on the team with seven sacks, three interceptions and he's caused four fumbles.