Tiger Football prevailed over Cougars

Most assuredly few people expected to witness the wild and wacky first half of the Dripping Springs Tigers-New Braunfels Canyon Cougars game. Could it have been the fact it was Friday the 13 topped off by a full moon? Whatever, there were 76 points scored in that half before the more expected second half slowed things down as the Tigers prevailed 54-38. Again, QB Preston Alford and RB Curtis Cox were the mainstays in a strong offensive performance. Alford showed his lock on the position by becoming a complete player with his almost perfect night in the passing department.

Fireworks started immediately as the Canyon RB popped open up the middle and outran all pursuers for a 55 TD on the third play. The EP make it 7-0. Austin Hulon took the KO about 8 yards deep in the endzone and returned it to the 31. Alford would finish this drive with a one yard run. The EP would be missed. 7-6. The Tiger defense forced a three and out but the punt was mishandled and Canyon fell on it to get it right back at the 30. A one yard pass made it 14-6.

It took the Tigers only four plays to go 70 yards, climaxed by Cox's 36 run. Coleman Chapman's EP kick made it 13-14. The KO was muffed and the Tigers got it back at the 31. Cox broke for 20 and Alford took it in for the final five after a penalty to take the lead at 20-14. Short-lived after an 8 pass made it 21-20, Canyon. Still in the first quarter. Another version of the onside kick caught the Tigers off guard and it was recovered at the 37. A 12 run by their RB made it 28-20. Two simultaneous 15-yard penalties against Canyon on the kickoff gave the Tigers the ball on the 29 as the quarter ended. A 19 pass from Alford to Cameron O'Banan got it back to one 27-28.

First play. Cougar QB sprinted 74 for a TD. 35-27. Alford would then score twice on runs of 15 and 22 yards to give the Tigers a halftime lead of 41-35. They would not trail again. The third was a brief version of the first half. Cox finished the first drive with an 11-run to make it 48-35. Canyon kicked a 20FG and Alford hit Tyler Herron with a 38 pass to post the final score as a bad snap ruined the EP attempt.

Friday night the Tigers will open district play as they host the Travis Rebels. The Rebels (0-3) have struggled, being outscored 146-7 in their three games. Kickoff will be at 7:30pm.

Team stats (DS first): First downs: 29-15; Rushing: 45-292, 31-291; Passing: 245-131; Passes: 16-20-0, 9-29-2; Punts: 2-27.5, 4-37.5; Penalties: 4-35, 11-116; Fumbles lost: 0-3, 0-1.

Tiger stats: Rushing: Cox 10-135 2TD; Alford 22-121 4TD; Herron 8-43; Carter King 2-0; Julian Wright 3-(-) 7. Passing: Alford 16-19-245 2TD; Wright 0-1-0; Receiving: (Inc) O'Banan 5-85 TD; Brodie Dyer 2-37; Shel Hudson 2-21; Ryan Kimball 2-14; Herron 1-38 TD; PJ Howe 1-24. KOR: Hulon 1-31; Intercepts: Andre Flores-Perry 1-19; Garrett Betts 1-8. Fumble recovery. Jakob Joy.

Tiger tackling (unassist/assist): Hunter Northrup 5-5, Hulon 7-2, Joy 5-3, Betts 3-2, Liam Dahl 4-0, Luke Lawyer 3-1, Wes Dube 2-1, Brock Bollinger 1-3, Colby Collins 1-2, Nic Austin 0-1, Pierce Walker 0-1.