AUSTIN – Key plays made at critical junctures allowed the Dripping Springs Tigers to outlast the McCallum Knights in a high-octane 37-30 slugfest at House Park.
Few plays resonated as much as a 51-yard fourth quarter touchdown run by Tiger quarterback Tanner Prewit, which gave Dripping Springs enough late separation for the win.
Dripping Springs (4-1, 2-0) relied heavily on a ground attack that accumulated 306 of the team’s 413 total yards on the night. Prewit led the team with 122 yards rushing on 13 carries and one touchdown, while senior running back Jake Cox had 118 yards on 23 carries and two scores. Prewit also went 9 of 19 for 107 yards passing with an interception.
But early on, Dripping Springs struggled to find the end zone and was forced to settle for a pair of first quarter field goals. McCallum led Dripping Springs 7-6 at the end of the first quarter and expanded its lead to 14-13 midway through the second quarter.
However, a 10-play Tiger drive late in the second frame, anchored by a successful fake punt by running back Curtis Cox, helped Dripping Springs capture the lead. A 30-yard field goal from kicker Coleman Chapman gave the Tigers a 16-14 advantage at intermission. Chapman went 3-for-3 on the night, including kicking a 41-yard field goal, and was 4-for-4 on extra points.
Both teams found their stride in the second half. Dripping Springs sprinted out of the gates by scoring 14 unanswered points in the third frame to take a 30-14 lead.
McCallum, anchored by quarterback Cole Davis and running back Deron Gage, fought right back early in the fourth frame with 13 unanswered points in less than two minutes.
A nine-yard touchdown pass from Davis to Gage pulled the Knights to within three points at 30-27. Davis went 17 of 28 for 157 yards passing and three scores. Gage rushed for 58 yards and finished with two touchdowns.
McCallum was unable to draw any closer. Prewit’s 51-yard score put Dripping Springs ahead 37-27.
The Tiger defense sharpened its claws and limited McCallum to a late field goal the rest of the way.
Dripping Springs returns home Oct. 12 when they host Austin LBJ at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
