Tigers remain undefeated with victory over Johnson Jaguars

Rivalry wrecked by big win PHOTO BY RONNIE ADAIR

The Dripping Springs Tigers-Hays Johnson Jaguars game had all the elements. Both were undefeated on the season (8-0) and the winner most likely to be the district champion. It has the makings of becoming a big rivalry going forth and was being touted as the Battle For Onion Creek. But the two-year school learned the hard lesson – the Tigers came by their No. 10 state ranking honestly. What was billed as an epic battle became a 52-7 shellacking with Dripping Springs coming out on top.

The Tigers could not have been more prepared. All three phases of the game were executed to perfection. The defense covered their duties first and then helped on the rest of the play. They harassed and harangued the Jaguar QB to no end which caused four turnovers leading to 28 points. Likewise the offense was at the top of their game, especially now that it looks like Preston Alford is back at full speed. Not to mention the special teams play that included a blocked field goal.

As expected the stands were filled to capacity on both sides and was probably the largest crowd since the stadium's inception. Among the honorees in the crowd was the 1971 class celebrating their 50th. This was a class familiar with winning district titles having won football, boys and girls basketball and track championships. At halftime Sean “Muffin” Holloway received a plaque commemorating his 25 years as the team ballboy and Ronnie Adair for his years of taking athletic photos.

The only time the game was close was the 0-0 start. The Jaguars went three and out in their first possession and the next time they really controlled the ball, the Tigers were ahead 21-0. The Tigers moved their first opportunity 54 yards in eight plays with Alford taking it in from nine yards out, and Walker Wright keeping his extra point kicks streak intact. The Jaguar quarterback fumbled on the first play, and Gunnar Betts fell on it at the 28 yard line. Three plays later, Alford took it in from the one. The next play Gabriel Quintana intercepted the pass at the 29. Three plays later Austin Novosad hit his favorite target Kyle Koch from 23 yards out, and it was 21-0 with 3.37 left in the first quarter.

Dripping Springs would have to work a little harder for their next score. The drive began at the 34, going through the first quarter into the second and would take ten plays divided between the pass and run. A Novosad to Boston Papp 14-yard pass culminated the drive to make it 28-0. That would be it for the half. However, Johnson attempted a 36-yard field goal, but Shel Hudson streaked in from the edge to block the attempt.

On the first drive of the second half, Johnson held the Tigers and forced a 21- yard field goal by Wright to up the score to 31-0. There were no other scores in the third. On the first play of the fourth quarter a Novosad to Koch pass for nine yards ended the 60- yard drive.

The fourth quarter was Tomsen Vickery's time to shine. On a Jaguar drive, he would cause the quarterback to fumble, but Johnson recovered. The very next play the quarterback was forced to fumble again, and this time Vickery picked it up and trotted in from the 21. Next possession the quarterback fumbled again, and Vickery was there to claim possession 55 yards away. Nine plays later Luke Hudson would bolt in from the 18. A 37-yard pass play with 1.05 remaining ruined the shutout possibility for the Tigers.

Friday night the Tigers will journey to Seguin to take on the Matadors in a game with championship connotations. The Tigers have already clinched a share of the crown and can take the outright title with a win. Nevertheless, the Tigers will have won themselves another home game. It will come from District 25-5A and should be from among Cedar Park, Georgetown or Hendrickson. They have a lot of critical games this week before Dripping Springs will know, but the kickoff this Friday is 7:30pm.

District standings: DS 6-0, Hays Johnson 5-1, Seguin 5-1, Veterans Memorial 3-3, NB Canyon 3-3, Harlandale 1-5, McCollum 1-5, Lehman 0-6.

Last week’s scores: Canyon 35 Harlandale 8, Vet Memorial 42 McCollum 20, Seguin 35 Lehman 16.

25-5A standings: Weiss 6-0, Manor 5-1, Cedar Park 4-2, Georgetown 4-2, Hendrickson 3-3.

25-5A schedule: Georgetown-Weiss; Cedar Park-Manor.

Game stats (DS first); First downs: 22-12; Rushing: 34-160, 29-97; Passing: 246-132; Passes: 19-27-0, 13-22-1; Punts: 3-38.3, 4-32.0; Penalties: 9-65, 1-5; Fumbles lost: 0-0, 3-4.

DS stats: Rushing: Alford 24-128 2TD; L. Hudson 6-37 TD; Koch 1-3; Novosad 1-(-) 4; Blake Walling 2-(-) 4. Passing: Novosad 19-27-246 3TD; Receiving: Koch 12-154 2TD, Garon Duncan 3-44, Alford 1-14, Papp 1-14 TD, Noah Lawyer 1-6, Wright 1-10. KOR: S. Hudson 1-10. FR: T. Vickery 2, Betts. Int: Quintana.

Tackling (Unassist/Assist): Luca Picucci 7-6, Bryson Amrine 5-5, Elijah Gonzalez 5-3, S. Hudson 4-2, Wyatt Leschber 2-5, Nathan Prehar 2-3, Parker Cooke 3-2, Keller Stafford 3-1, Derek Edgar 2-0, Quintana 2-1, Caden Tracy 1-1, Greyson Jones 0-1, Betts 0-1, T. Vickery 0-1.