The Dripping Springs Tigers remain undefeated (5-0) after a 56-28 beat down of the Seguin Matadors in front of a homecoming Friday at Tiger Stadium.
“Our goal is just to be 1-0 each week,” Tigers head coach Galen Zimmerman said. “So then when we look back, we’re going have something we are really proud of.”
The Tigers started the game hot and never looked back after a 30 yard pass and catch between quarterback Reese Johnson and receiver Curtis Raymond on the first play from scrimmage.
A series of unforced errors and special teams’ miscues plagued the Matadors all night. After one missed field goal and one field goal blocked and returned for a touchdown, Seguin seemed to seize momentum after an 85 yard kick return for a touchdown by senior Kory Ussery, but the score was called back after a holding penalty.
“Nothing changes the momentum of a ball game more than scoring on special teams,” Seguin head coach Travis Bush said. “You look at the kickoff return. That would have made it 14-7. That might have been the spark we needed early.”
Dripping Springs dominated the first half, scoring on three of its first four drives, which pushed the score to 21-0 early, and then 35-0 by halftime.
The star of the night was Dripping Springs’ senior quarterback Reese Johnson, who went 10 of 17 through the air for 151 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
“They were giving us either the run or the pass,” Johnson said. “That’s the best part about our offense. If they try and stop the pass we can give them the run and if they try and stack the box we can go downfield to our receivers.”
The senior was also able to rush for 114 yards and an additional two scores. Thirty-six of these yards came on an electric scramble for a touchdown. Johnson replicated the score after he had done the exact same thing a play before, but it was negated by a holding penalty.
“It took the refs a long time to get the call right, so the whole time we were just like it doesn’t matter, we got to get in on this play too,” Johnson said.
Other key contributors on offense include junior running back Zach Murray who rushed for 63 yards and two touchdowns. Junior wide receiver John Hoyle caught four passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns.
While the offense dazzled to the tune of 56 points and 539 total yards are dazzling statistics, the Tiger defense also played well, anchored by its line, which dominated the line of scrimmage. Dripping Springs’ secondary also made every hit count.
“They were the more physical team tonight,” Bush said. “And in this game, the more physical team will win.”
Senior defensive end McKenly O’Neal led the Tigers with six tackles on the night.
But Seguin never surrendered, even when it faced a 49-0 deficit in the fourth frame.
“They did a good job playing four full quarters,” Zimmerman said. “They kept playing, they got a couple guys over there that are great football players.”
The Matadors were able to reach the end zone four times in the fourth quarter, pushing the final score to 56-28.
Key contributors for Seguin included running back Brandon Palomares, who rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns and Kory Ussery who recorded 6 catches for 52 yards and a score.
Both teams have a bye this week. Dripping Springs next matchup is scheduled for October 7 when they take on Lockhart.
