Narrow loss to Hays under Friday night lights

It was football de ja vu all over again with a slight twist as Hays was able to come back for a 22-21 victory over the Dripping Springs Tigers. For the second straight year one point was the margin as a blocked point spelled the difference in the 35-34 Tiger loss last year.

The game was definitely a tale of two halves. The first half was dominated by the defenses and then the second half showcased big scoring plays by the offenses. Both teams had to depend on their running attacks for any success as their passing games did not produce results. For Hays that is by design but the Tigers need the passing game to compliment their running game.

Penalties hampered any continuity in each of the two teams first possessions, then the defenses took over. Hays finally had a long drive that went into the second quarter. A diving tackle by Austin Hulon saved the TD at the three where the Tiger defense forced a 27FG to put Hays ahead 3-0. It looked as if that would be the score at half as Hays took over at their own 40 with 44 seconds left. Instead they decided to pass. Luke Lawyer hit the QB as he was about to release the ball, causing the ball to flutter out of his hands into the grasp of lineman Liam Dahl for a pick six from the 37. Just like that it ended up 7-3 Tigers after Coleman Chapman nailed the EP.

On the opening drive of the second, Preston Alford found a lane up the middle while trying to pass and took it home from the 41 to complete the 6-play, 70 drive to put the Tigers up 14-3. The Rebels began their long road back with a reverse for 56 to make it 14-10. The Tigers immediately responded as Curtis Cox popped for 46 and 8 with Alford finishing the 3-play drive on a 14 run. 21-10. Back at you was Hays as a 28 pass early in the fourth made it 21-16 when the 2-point play was stopped short.

The turning point in the game pivoted on the punting game. The Tigers pinned the Rebels back to the nine forcing the punt. The Tigers chose not to rush the punter and take a chance on a penalty. The Rebel punter took his time and boomed a spiral that sailed over the returner's head and took a big roll that stopped 76 yards away on the 15. The Tigers went three and out, punting 21 to the 35 with a Hays penalty putting it back to the 45. The Rebel back took care of the first 32 on his first carry and the rest on the next carry to put the Rebels ahead to stay 22-21. The Tigers had one last chance but the QB was jarred loose from the ball and Hays fell on it to secure their victory with one minute left.

The Tigers (1-1) will try to get back to their winning ways when they travel to New Braunfels to play the Canyon Cougars (0-2) for the final non-district game. Kickoff is slated for 7:30pm.

Game stats (DS first): First downs: 10-16; Rushing: 29-192, 48-221; Passing: 33-45; Passes: 5-15-0, 4-7-1; Punts: 7-33.3, 5-43.2; Penalties: 5-55, 6-50; Fumbles lost: 1-1, 0-2.

Tiger stats: Rushing: Alford 18-111-2TDs; Cox 8-71; Cameron O'Banan 3-10. Passing: Alford 5-15-33. Receiving: Carter King 2-17; Logan Neef 1-7; PJ Howe 1-5; O'Banan 1-4. Punting: Chapman 4-33.8; O'Banan 3-34.3. KOR: Hulon 2-62. Int: Dahl 1-37-TD.

Tiger Tackling (unassist/assist): Hunter Northrup 5-10; Jakob Joy 4-11; Scotty Crosby 6-2; Hulon 5-2; Garrett Betts 2-4; Lawyer 5-0; Colby Collins 1-4; Dahl 3-1; Brock Bollinger 1-3; Wes Dube 3-0; Keith Teague 1-1; Chance Wylie 1-0; Nic Austin 0-1.