Dripping Springs High fans got their first glimpse of Tiger football in the new Tiger Stadium during the annual Spring Game May 24.
Maintaining a workman-like pace on the field is the goal for the Tigers, who aim to improve on their finish in the regional finals in 2016.
The Spring Game marked the conclusion of the program’s spring practice schedule.
Galen Zimmerman, Dripping Springs head football coach, said he felt positive following a strong spring game and practices.
“Spring is different sometimes. We don’t have baseball kids, which gives others opportunities,” Zimmerman said. “We have some guys who had to step up and needed to practice.”
Zimmerman said the Tigers showed a “competitive nature” during the spring game. He said the team played well during the game and could feel the excitement from the players at the new Tiger Stadium.
Setting a tone at their new facility will be a focus going into next year, Zimmerman said. That was the focus of the upcoming senior players who will be the first to play at the on-campus football stadium.
“The ability to walk from your back door to the field is a big thing,” Zimmerman said. “Once we get into playing games, they’ll see that. It’s a little thing, but it makes a big difference.”
Dripping Springs quarterbacks Trevor Greenman and Tanner Pruitt led the Tiger offense in the spring game. Whoever wins the starting spot will look to follow the footsteps of Tiger Reese Johnson, who graduates this week.
Greenman played at the varsity level last year, while Pruitt was the junior varsity quarterback.
Both players have made plays and are “used to making plays,” Zimmerman said.
“They’re still progressing and understanding the offense ... We know they can do different things with their legs and it’s good for them to see the progression when they throw the ball and making the read and the throw.”
Galen Zimmerman, Tiger football coach
Jake Cox, Dripping Springs Tiger running back, said the run game got to know a new group of offensive lineman during the spring season.
He said spring football “flew by” and was a chance for the offense to acquaint themselves with each other.
“It’s different from last year and the run game will be different from last year,” Cox said. “That was our main goal was to try to be more patient behind the line and find the gaps.”
On defense, the Tigers will also look to fill positions left by the outgoing senior class.
Zimmerman said the team will look to its middle linebacking corps, which played through 14 games last season.
But the team also has players who may not have seen time at their current position.
“Getting them time in the spring was big and not necessarily just the making the plays part,” Zimmerman said.
Working on mental toughness will be the primary goal for the Tigers when they hit the field for the summer in August, Zimmerman said.
Cox said the team is getting better and is where they want to be heading into the summer.
“We loved the success we had last year. But we’re nowhere near complacent,” Cox said. “We only had one good year. We’re still really hungry.”
