By Sean Allen
DRIPPING SPRINGS – Entering the game, Dripping Springs Tiger junior wide receiver Noah Lawyer had only two receptions on the season.
By the end of the first half Friday, he more than eclipsed those numbers when he hauled in a trio of scores that helped the Tigers notch a 57-7 win over the Lehman Lobos.
The Lobo (2-4) offense had no answer for Dripping Springs' (5-1) defense in the first half and managed just 62 yards of total offense.
The Tigers, on the hand, scored and scored quickly to bring the team up by two scores on first quarter touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Austin Novosad to Lawyer and senior wide receiver Cameron O'Banan. Dripping Springs then capitalized on a Lobo fumble when junior running back Preston Alford punched in a 4-yard touchdown run.
Not to be outdone by his teammates, junior defensive back Shel Hudson captured the first interception of the season, setting up Lawyer to score on a 8 yard jet sweep. The Tigers remained efficient with two scores on back-to-back drives to increase their lead to 48-0 at halftime.
The Lobos slowed the Tigers to start the second half and took advantage thereafter. Freshman wide receiver Kyree Payton helped breath life into his team catching a pass from junior quarterback Joey Guajardo on a 38 yard reception to help narrow the deficit to 48-7.
Less than two minutes later, the Tigers added to their lead via a 26-yard touchdown pass from Novosad to Alford. Tiger senior kicker Coleman Chapman powered in a 46 yard field goal to end the scoring at 57-7.
Novosad led the way by going 20 of 24 passing for 312 yards and a career high six touchdowns. Lawyer hauled in a career high five receptions for 134 yards with two touchdowns and an additional score on the ground. Alford ran for 103 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown along with scoring on a reception.
Lobo quarterback Joey Guajardo completed 2 of 10 passes for 20 yards and an interception.
Dripping Springs' Nov. 12 contest against San Antonio Veterans Memorial was canceled after the latter school shuttered its football program for two weeks due to a positive COVID-19 case. The Tigers are scheduled to return to action Nov. 20 against San Antonio Harlandale.
Lehman returns home in search of their first district win against the Canyon Cougars (5-1, 2-1) on Nov. 13 at 7:30pm.
District 12-5A, Division I standings
Dripping Springs 3-0
Johnson 3-0
San Antonio Harlandale 1-1
Seguin 1-1
New Braunfels Canyon 1-1
San Antonio Veterans Memorial 1-2
San Antonio McCollum 0-2
Lehman 0-3
