After getting a taste of December football, Dripping Springs head football coach Galen Zimmerman hopes to get the chance for more next fall.
As the Tigers forge on through spring football schedule, Zimmerman said experience gathered from last season has the Tigers feeling confident for 2017.
“You never want to be satisfied with what you did. We are encouraged by what we did last year ... But that was last year. We’ve got some confidence going into this year.”
Galen Zimmerman, Dripping Springs head football coach
Dripping Springs is projected to return 12 total starters on both sides of the ball next season.
One of the primary cogs returning is running back Jake Cox, who rushed for 743 yards last season.
But the Tigers must find a body to replace senior quarterback Reese Johnson, who led the Tigers in rushing and passing last season.
Candidates so far include Trevor Greenman, who played cornerback last season, as well as Tanner Pruitt and Parker Alfred.
“They’re taking the bulk of repetitions and they’re doing a good job,” Zimmerman said.
Having gone through a 14-game season last year, Zimmerman said the program got to “play some kids” and give more players repetitions. In addition, the team also had a chance to practice four weeks longer.
He said the added practice time has led to an increase in confidence for many players. But he said many understand there is work to be done during the spring.
“Some guys have to progress. We’ve got stay humble and stay hungry,” Zimmerman said. “But at the same time, there’s an understanding of what needs to happen to play on Friday night.”
Through the first couple of weeks of spring practice, Zimmerman said things are “going well.” However, with many players out for the ongoing baseball season, the coaching staff hasn’t been able to work with some of the returning starters.
Instead, Zimmerman said it gives other players an opportunity to perform. Having coaches continue to maintain the “long term vision” of the program is equally important.
“We haven’t been in the playoffs in back-to-back years in a while. We played in December, but we want to win in December,” Zimmerman said.
