Dripping Springs High School begins its 6A era

The growth of Dripping Springs ISD has steadily pushed the district to the 6A in competition. It is, of course, the largest classification in the state. There are many good 6A teams in the area and Dripping Springs will be battling in one of the best as it includes consistently two of the best, Lake Travis and Westlake. Once again Dripping Springs will begin as one of the smallest schools in 6A. The numbers game is always in play because the more numbers the more people to chose from and more good depth and better chances to find top talent. Except for the move from 6-man to 11-man in 1951, I have been witness to the change in classifications. When I first came to DSHS, the UIL had a little different way of doing classifications. In those days they would take the enrollments in the first year of the 2-year assignments. In 1968, the first time 11-man championship, DS learned they would be moving to Class A in 1970. That meant we were a Class A enrollment in 1968 and we had time to move into the middle of enrollment by 1970.

One thing I have learned over the years, if you think the Tigers will cower before the competition, you will be sadly wrong. The DS programs have been a thorn in the side of allcomers. Even in some of our poorer record years, effort was never missing. The films would show bodies flying all over the place trying to get the job done. Sometimes they were just unlucky like the 1972 season where four games were lost in the final 20 seconds. Even when we were in the tough Cedar Park district we were always in the game and even shutout Cedar Park. Expect to be proud of all of our programs.

Football: The Tigers lost good talent from last year's team, most in the running game. Until they are able to replace the talented running of Preston Alford, offense will have a good fallback on a very talented QB, Austin Novosad, a Baylor commit, who tossed the ball around for 3400 yards and has a bevy of those talented receivers back to snag even more. That will put even more importance of the play of the offensive and defensive linemen. Huge lineman are prevalent in most of the teams, especially, on the 3-time state champion Westlake. Most concede the top two spots in district, but that is why you play the game. Dripping Springs, Bowie, Hays Johnson and Anderson are expected to compete for playoff berths. The Tigers will open at Vandegrift on August 26, another top 6A program, and host San Antonio Wagner in the second game on 9-2 before taking on district play. They host Austin High on 9-16. The Tigers get LT and Westlake back-to-back later in the season, going to LT first and then hosting Westlake.

Volleyball: The Lady Tigers shows the step up is no big deal. They are already recognized by others as a top team in the state. They enter the season ranked #2. That is because they always play many of the top 6A teams in the state in tourneys and acquit themselves very well. Even though they failed to win district the past two years, Coach Michael Kane still got his teams to the state semis (2020) and regional finals (2021). His top player, MacKenzie Plante, will use her many skills to lead the team her final year. As is the usual, she will have many skilled players at her side. The early season is fast and furious as they try to get in their three tourneys and play nearly 30 games prior to September and district play. They open with a doubleheader on 8-8 with Westwood/Rouse and 8-9 Hendrickson, both away.

Cross-Country: This is another of Dripping Springs top competing sports. The step up should not dampen the possibilities. They will host the DS Invite 4K on August 27 and run in five meets prior to district on October 13.

Tennis: Another highly competitive sport at DS. They will open at home with Fredericksburg on August 18, followed the next day at home with Round Rock. They will face six district opponents before the playoffs begin.