A consistently stingy defense helped the Dripping Springs Tigers escape with a 14-13 season opening win over the Kerrville Tivy Antlers on the road Friday.
Offense was at a premium as both teams remained scoreless through the first quarter of play.
Dripping Springs (1-0) took a 7-0 lead into halftime after a 6-yard touchdown run by Preston Alford.
The Tigers lead grew to 14-0 in the third frame via a 51-yard touchdown run by Alford, who led the team with 120 yards on 19 carries and 2 scores. Alford, who also took snaps under center, went 3 of 5 for 50 yards in the contest.
But Tivy fought back, kickstarted with a touchdown in the third quarter, cutting the Tiger lead to 14-7.
Tivy added two field goals in the fourth quarter, which further trimmed the Tiger lead to 14-13, but got no further.
Dripping Springs’ offense gained 300 total yards in the contest, 231 of those yards gathered on the ground. Tiger running back Curtis Cox rushed for 113 yards on 23 carries.
Meanwhile, Dripping Springs’ defense limited Tivy to only nine total first downs, with the Antlers going 0-10 on third downs in the contest.
Shel Hudson caught 2 passes for 33 yards, while Cox caught one pass for 22 yards.
Dripping Springs returns home Sept. 6 when they host the Hays Rebels at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
