Tigers storm back for narrow 38-34 over Rockets
As the season progresses, there are always new lessons to be learned. One thing the Tigers learned in their game with the Judson Rockets was a losing record does not mean a loser of a team. Judson, 4-7, gave the Tigers all they could handle until a touchdown with 58 seconds remaining would bring Dripping Springs all the way back from a 17-point deficit in the second half to a 38-34 victory to advance to the regionals. It had been 60 years since last the Tigers played the Rockets and did not have a win in the two games. That means Dripping Springs will be paired with San Antonio John Jay (10-2) and the Tigers (10-2) will be practicing on Thanksgiving, a plateau every team strives to achieve. The game will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday with kickoff time being 11 a.m.
The two teams spent much of the night mimicking each other. Early in the game they took turns with turnovers before settling down and exchanging scores in the first half. The second half highlighted scoring streaks by both teams.
The first two possessions ended in lost fumbles. The third turnover was an interception by Theo Howard, who set the Tigers up on the Judson 15. The Tigers would make short work of the opportunity as Jack Tyndall would slide off-tackle from the two to climax the 5-play drive. Landon Requard would be true on all his EP's for the night. It would be 7-0 with 7.50 left. The Rockets would come right back with a scoring drive of their own. It was a 9-play, 48 drive finished by a 9 yard run. 7-7 at the 3.51 mark. Back came the Tigers with a 58 drive. Eight plays later it was Tyndall powering it in from the four to go up 14-7 with 1.51 still to go in the first quarter. Tigers did not get to enjoy their lead as Judson would return the kickoff 84 yards to tie the game at 14. The Tigers dodged another bullet when Dylan Brasher alertly fell on the fumbled kickoff return at the 37.
Judson would take their first lead of the night on a 8 yard pass play. 2114. The next drive by the Tigers stalled out at the 12 and Requard would calmly split the uprights for a 29 yard field goal. 17-21. It was during this drive the Tigers lost their premier running back, J. Tyndall with an injury, and he did not return.
The second half would see Judson score twice to extend their lead to 34-17 with 4.43 left in the third. Ordinarily being behind 17 points at that point means a team is going home with a loss. The formula to win is to have your defense stop the opponent on short drives and the offense must score on each possession. Also a very important decision was made by Coach Zimmerman. He decided to insert Jack Williams at QB to start the half and replace Maddox Maher who was having an off night. Williams was the starting QB in the first game but was injured early and this was his significant action. He was noted for his running ability but turned on the passing magic and guided the Tigers to the victory. An 8 yard pass to Cooper Reid made it 24-34. Defense held for a three and out.
The next drive ended with a 33 yard pass to Reid and the Tigers had 7.49 to manufacture at least three points. Dripping Springs finally stopped Judson's drive at the 50 and their punt left the Tigers 93 yards away. The Tigers mostly used the airways to move the ball steadily down the field. On the eleventh play Kyle Koch would take it in from the three for the winning margin 38-34. Deacon Ivey would put the nail in the coffin when he intercepted a pass.
Game stats (DS first): First downs 25-16; Rushing 42-121, 30-103; Passing 295-179; Passes 27-44-0, 18-29-2; Punts 3-35, 3-46; Penalties 2-10, 10-77; Fumbles lost 2-1.
Tiger stats: Rushing: J. Tyndall 15-60 2TD, Nick Tyndall 12-46, Koch 4-22 TD, Williams 7-(-)1, Maher 4-(-) 6. Passing: Williams 22-31-259 2TD, Maher 5-13-41. Receiving: Koch 12-135, Reid 8-105 2TD, Maddox Bloomgren 4-29, Merrick Bloomgren 1-13, N. Tyndall 1-5, Tristan Felder 1-2. KOR: Koch 3-69, Ivey 1-9. Int. Ivey 1-12, Howard 1-8.
DS tackling (unasst/ asst): Tomsen Vickery 10-6, Howard 4-5, Clive Wahl3-3, Luca Picucci 2-4, Nolan Dahl 2-2, Requard 2-1, Noah Lambie 2-1, Elijah Gonzales 1-3, Rio Hay 2-1, Gabriel Quintana 1-0, William Hasty 0-1, Major Bettridge 0-1, Chris Gustafson 1-0.