By Amanda Lattimer
The Dripping Springs Tigers didn’t let the Crockett Cougars anywhere near the scoreboard Friday as they cruised to a 40-0 victory at Tiger Stadium, setting a pair of school records along the way.
With the win, Dripping Springs (9-1, 7-0) completed an undefeated season in 12-5A, Division I, securing its fourth straight district crown and the first outright title since 2017.
Dripping Springs started the first quarter off strong as the Tigers led 10-0. Preston Alford tallied a 20-yard touchdown run, which was followed by a Desi De La Cruz field goal later in the frame.
Entering the second quarter, backup Tiger quarterback Julian Wright had an 11-yard touchdown pass to Cameron O’Banan. In addition to yards gained,
Cruz set a new school record for longest field goal at 48 yards.
Ultimately, De La Cruz set another school record by successfully kicking four field goals in the contest. De La Cruz accounted for 12 of Dripping Springs’ 40 points.
“It’s every kicker’s dream to kick something like that,” De La Cruz said. “On senior night it’s one of the best feelings ever…I couldn’t be happier with myself and the team.”
Dripping Springs kept up the pace in the second half and finished off the Cougars.
After the game, the seniors of Dripping Springs High School all came out for their traditional senior walk across the field arm in arm. With friends and family crowded all around the endzone to watch the seniors, it was a sentimental moment for some senior players, including Sergio Sanchez.
“It’s kind of emotional because it’s like a brotherhood and you never expect it to go by so fast,” Sanchez said. “But I have loved every minute of it, and it’s just a great feeling.”
De La Cruz also has enjoyed his time at Dripping Springs and how supportive the community is.
“High school football is great and all, but when you have a community like Dripping Springs, it’s amazing to come out and have such an amazing crowd behind your back,” De La Cruz said. “Knowing that you are playing for something bigger than yourself, you know it’s an amazing feeling to run out of the tunnel in front of everybody that you see around town.”
The team is focused to stay together and peak at the right moment in order to get everything working smoothly before they open the postseason against a familiar foe.
Dripping Springs hosts Manor Friday at Tiger Stadium in a rematch of last season’s bi-district round game that came down to the final seconds.
“It doesn’t matter who we are playing, we are always going to play with the same intensity,” Sanchez said.
