by Sean Allen
BUDA – Coming off a 14-point shutout win against Kerrville Tivy, the Dripping Springs Tigers were unable to match up well against Coach Les Goad’s Hays squad, resulting in a 45-28 loss at Bob Shelton Stadium.
The first half was almost perfect as Hays scored a touchdown on all but one drive, resulting in a 27-yard field goal, which included a scorching 48-yard jet sweep touchdown from senior utillity Bryant Lewis on the third possession.
In the opening drive of the second half, the Tigers had a solid kick return making it up to their own 43 yard line, but despite managing to drive 56 yards on seven plays, on the 8th play, Dripping Springs senior quarterback Cameron O’Banan was sacked for a loss of six yards with the ensuing play resulting in an interception at the one-yard line.
Hays then managed a 99-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run punched in by senior back Quincy Jackson at 3:14 in the third quarter.
Despite the odds, the Tigers did not back down from the challenge as they had back-to-back touchdown drives making their last score of the game by sophomore quarterback Austin Novosad scoring a touchdown with 4:44 on the clock. Preston Alford scored a two-point conversion bringing the score to 38-22.
Despite the Tigers’ effort, late in the game Hays sophomore running back Zach Obara put the game out of reach with a touchdown run of 34 yards with 3:33 remaining, bringing the score to 45-22.
With the game in its closing minute, Tigers’ O’Banan scored on a reception bringing the game to a close at 45-28.
It was also a special night as 12 Rebels were able to run the ball a combined 35 carries for 285 yards and four touchdowns, with 10 being part of the senior class.
Quarterback Durand Hill led the way by completing 12 of 22 pass attempts to six different receivers for 209 yards, two passing touchdowns and a touchdown run.
Senior backup quarterback Grayson Winter completed a 6-yard pass to senior wide receiver Josh Mayo.
