Tigers out manned Northeast Reagan

It was another one-sided talent football game as the Dripping Springs Tigers out-manned Northeast (Reagan) 42-8. Northeast only had 21 players on their sideline, which is the equivalent of playing a Class 2A school. The only unexpected outcome was the lack of a running clock in the second half. The Tigers did get to rest up some bodies and did not take a chance of injuries with plenty of reserves getting time in the second half after taking a 35-0 lead into the fieldhouse at the half.

With the victory, the Tigers earned the first seed in the playoffs and clinched at least a tie for the championship. The foregone conclusion of title comes with the fact their opponent is Crockett, who has lost to every team in district with the exception of Lanier.

There is some future good news for the Tigers. It appears the Tigers will remain in 5A with just a few students shy of moving up. If the scuttlebut is correct, Austin ISD has indicated they will not make their schools move up a classification, which means, if all is true, Dripping Springs athletics may not have to play in a district filled with out-classed teams. Hopefully better competition for all.

Against Northeast, the Tigers scored on six of their first seven possession to put the game away. The Tigers would kickoff to the Raiders and forced a three and out. Then DS went to work from 53 away. It would take seven plays. The big play being a Preston Alford to Logan Neef for 22 to the one. Alford took it in from there. Coleman Chapman made the first of six EP's for the night. 7-0. Another forced punt and the Tigers made it a one-play drive. Alford would hit Cameron O'Banan over the middle and O'Banan evaded the tackle attempts of three Raiders and broke free to complete the 60 play. 14-0.

Another three and out and back to work for the Tigers from 51 out. The big plays in the four plays was an Alford 28 pass to Shelby Hudson and the 18 TD pass to O'Banan. 21-0 first quarter. DS finally had to punt but Andre Flores-Perry got the ball right back on an interception at the Tiger 29. O'Banan moved to the QB position for the second quarter. On this 4-play drive he had a 47 run and hit Carter King for the final 16. 28-0. Just before the half DS covered 46 in seven. O'Banan to Alford for 16 and a 5 pass to Zach Tjelmeland made it 35-0.

With total reserves at the skill positions, the Tigers would take almost half the third quarter to move the ball 80 yards. Ryan Kimball would take the ball in for the final 13 and give the Tigers their final points. Midway of the fourth, the Raiders had a 47 run and a 27 TD pass for their only score. After an exchange of fumbles, the Tiger offense drove the ball to the ten before kneeling the clock out.

Friday night's game with Crockett will be Senior Night with the kickoff being at 7:30pm. Then the 9-1 Tigers should take on the Manor Mustangs who are tied with Georgetown for third but lost to the Eagles and has to play Cedar Park. Manor will have to win and Georgetown lose to change the dynamics. My understanding the higher seed is home team in bi-district play.

Game stats (DS first): First downs: 23-8; Rushing: 37-206, 19-80; Passing: 217-148; Passes: 16-22-0, 10-22-1; Punts: 2-37.0, 5-32.0; Penalties: 1-10, 8-86; Fumbles lost: 1-3, 1-1.

DS stats: Rushing: Tyler Herron 6-53; O'Banan 2-37; Kimball 2-23 TD; Kelby Rowe 6-22; Alford 6-20 TD; Ethan Hooks 3-16; Hunter Miller 4-13; Hudson 1-12; Wes Dube 1-6; Julian Wright 6-4. Passing: Alford 4-5-128 2TD; O'Banan 6-9-50 2TD; Wright 6-8-39. Receiving: O'Banan 2-78 2TD; Hudson 3-45; Alford 3-22; Neef 1-22; Carter King 1-16; Brodie Dyer 3-15; Carter Williams 1-9; Cade Harkrider 1-7; Tjelmeland 1-7. KOR: Dyer 1-15; Perry 1-9. FR: Pierce Walker. Int: Perry.

Tackling (unasst/asst): Hunter Northrup 3-3, Jakob Joy 3-1, Liam Dahl 3-1, Scotty Crosby 3-0, Garrett Betts 2-1, Walker 1-2, Luke Lawyer 1-2, Chance Wylie 1-1, Garland Hodges 1-1, Hunter Pierpoint 2-0, Keith Teague 0-2, Carson Hans 1-0, Colby White 1-0, Sergio Sanchez 1-0, Wyatt Leschber 1-0, Landon Garrett 0-1, Joseph Guzaldo 0-1, Perry 0-1, Dube 0-1.