Tiger Football season ends in close bi-district game 

It is why you play the game. Prior to this Bi-district matchup with Manor probably most in the know thought this one would be too close to call. The game certainly did not disappoint as the lead changed hands nine times, but it was that ninth one that did the Tigers in as the Mustangs prevailed 43-40. Even so, the decision would go down to the last play of the game. Manor's 4-6 record was deceiving when one knew their six losses had been to some of the top teams in the state. Dripping Springs will have to go into their “wait until next year” mode as they carved out an 8-3 record.

DS kicked off and Manor began at the 30. The Tigers would find out quickly Manor had one horse of a back and would be a load all night. It would only take six with the back breaking up the middle for the final 35. The blocked EP put the scoring out of kilter for the rest of the night. Ty Kaatz would return the KO 28 to the 40. It would take the Tigers six with Tanner Prewit taking it in from the 21. Coleman Chapman would put the Tigers ahead 7-6 with his EP.

Manor replied with another good drive from their own 40. On the eleventh play, the back made the mistake of trying to reach out to the goal line and a Tiger alertly knocked the ball out of his hands. The Tigers dodged the bullet as Lane Dominey recovered the ball at the two. A penalty made it a 99 drive which Prewit culminated with a 7 pass to Cameron O'Banan to make it 14-6. Manor's next drive from the 33 was thwarted on the 13thplay when Andres Flores-Perry made a nice interception at the three. However, four plays later the Tigers gave the ball back on an interception . Manor made the most of this opportunity and climaxed it by the big backs' 19 sprint. They went for two but failed. 14-12.

DS was forced to punt and the minus three punt gave the Mustangs the ball on the Tigers 23. A holding penalty backed it up ten but Manor made it all back on a 33 pass for the go ahead TD. The EP run made it 20-14. The lead did not last long as the Tigers moved 75 yards in seven plays including the 11 run for a TD by O'Banan to go ahead 21-20. The Tigers tried to add to the lead with a 32 FG on the last play of the half but it went wide left.

The second half was no less dramatic. The Tigers opened with a 24 TD pass from Prewit to Parker Alford. 28-20. The big back powered it in from the five. The EP pass was intercepted to leave the score at 28-26. The Tigers lost fumbles on the next two possessions. Manor capitalized on the second with a 34FG to make it 29-28. The Tigers answered on the third play of the fourth with a 16 pass from Prewit to Enzo Arnold. EP pass incomplete. Manor made their statement with a 2 run by the big back. 35-34. Back came the Tigers. They drove the ball 66 yards in 12 plays with Prewit going in from the three. 40-35. Problem is they left 2.36 on the clock. That was made easier when the Tigers' special team was penetrated and the Manor returner broke a 60 KOR to the Tigers 23. Five plays later the big back bulled his way into the endzone from the one. The EP pass made it 43-40. The Tigers still had 49 ticks after Alford returned the KO to the 33. They got it to the 25 before time necessitated they try a 42FG to send the game to OT. Chapman put a strong leg into it as the ball squarely hit the right upright and bounced harmlessly away to the Mustangs glee.

Game stats (DS first): First downs: 32-21; Rushing: 36-224, 40-226; Passing: 303-275; Passes: 19-33-1, 21-29-1; Punts: 1-(-) 3, 2-32.0; Penalties 5-32, 9-90; Fumbles lost: 2-2, 1-2.

DS stats: Rushing: Jacob Cox 15-86; Prewit 14-81 2TD; O'Banan 4-42 TD; Curtis Cox 3-15. Passing: Prewit 19-33-303 3TD. Receiving: Arnold 7-139 TD; Alford 5-84 TD; O'Banan 5-56 TD; Ty Kaatz 2-24. KOR: Kaatz 1-28; Austin Hulon 1-27; Alford 1-19.