Tigers over Knights, rock’em sock’em win

If there was any thought that last year's semifinalist, McCallum Knights, had folded their tents, it was certainly dispelled as they gave the Tigers all they could handle for a complete game before falling 37-30. It was a complete effort by both teams that had a little of everything. It was a rock’em sock’em affair as both teams displayed strong defense with some tremendous hits along the way. The offenses were able to hit on some big plays as well as make long drives. The foot was active and necessary all night as four field goals were made and some well placed punts and kickoffs were executed. It would have been even more interesting if the Knights had not had so much trouble with the accuracy of their snappers. At key times two snaps went over the head of the QB for a total of 36 yards in losses and one over the punters head that resulted in a seven yard punt. They also shot themselves in the foot with penalties. Too bad they are being forced to play in the large school division of 5A.

All of this was taking place in the historic House Park football field. It was a perfect night and the game was as well. Spectators had to appreciate the efforts displayed by both teams. Most gains had to be earned the hard way.

The Tigers won the toss but elected to defer until the second half. McCallum gained possession at the 31. They would mix up their selection of plays and would score in nine. This would come on an 8-pass. The EP made it 7-0 with 8.28 showing. The Tigers started off 56 yards away. During the ten plays it took to get in scoring range, a problem showed up that lasted much of the night. That of the usually reliable receivers letting the ball slip through their fingers. The drive stalled at the 24 and Coleman Chapman would split the uprights for a 41FG. 3-7. Tiger defense held on next McCallum drive and took over 65 yards away. Their drive would stall at the eleven and Chapman drilled it from 27. Quarter would end with DS trailing 7-6.

Tigers forced another punt and the bad snap had the punter going back to the five to get it and get off a punt to put the Tigers 44 away. Six runs would put it in, the final seven by Jacob Cox to put the Tigers up for the first time 13-7. McCallum would answer with a 70 drive and mixed the ten plays well to score on a run from the 12 to regain the lead at 14-13. After an exchange of punts the Tigers started a 67 drive with 3.18 left in the half. Knight defense stiffened at the 13 and Chapman sent the Tigers in with a 16-14 lead at the half with a 30 FG. The big play was when the Tigers ran a fake punt play at midfield and Curtis Cox responded with a 34 yard scamper.

The Tigers used that momentum to control the third quarter with a couple of one yard scores by Tanner Prewit and Jacob Cox to extend their lead to 30-14 after three. An interception at the endzone thwarted another chance to score.

McCallum was not ready to call it quits as they started from the seven following the interception. Eleven plays later they would score on a 25 pass. To get it to within eight they went for two and the pass was dropped to leave it at 30-20. For the second game in a row, an onside kick was recovered by the opponent. They went the 39 yards in four with another TD pass of nine yards. Without the chance to tie they kicked the EP. 30-27.

Dripping Springs did not blink as they started from their 41. They faced a third and two at the 49. Prewit ran left and split two defenders to break the line of scrimmage and picked up a downfield block by Ty Kaatz that cleared all obstacles for an easy TD run to make it 37-27 with 7.11 left. The Knights stalled at the ten and knowing they had to score twice opted for the 27FG but could not make a later push for a score. The Tigers breathed a sigh of relief and were happy to get away with the win that keeps them on top of the heap with the LBJ Jaguars. That will be settled Friday night at Tiger stadium.

Game stats (Tigers first): First downs 16-21; Rushing 39-299, 46-221; Passing 110-153; Passes 9-20-1, 17-27-0; Punts 2-48.5, 5-25.4; Penalties 3-25, 8-50; Fumbles lost 0-2, 0-3.

Tiger stats: Rushing: Prewit 14-121-2TD; J. Cox 22-111-2TD; C. Cox 2-69; Alford 1- (-)2. Passing: Prewit 9-20-110-1; Receiving: Alford 7-89; Enzo Arnold 2-21. PR: Alford 1-4; KOR: Austin Hulon 1-10, Alford 1-4.