[dropcap]H[/dropcap]istory was made Friday when the Dripping Springs Tigers not only secured an outright 26-5A district title, but also the program’s first undefeated regular season in more than 50 years.
The Tigers accomplished those feats by virtue of a dominant 35-14 victory over the Marble Falls Mustangs on the road.
Dripping Springs finishes the regular season 10-0, which was last done when the Tigers played six-man football more than five decades ago. Dripping Springs now advances to take on Austin LBJ in the bidistrict round of the playoffs Nov. 17.
Right out of the gate, things looked good for the visiting Tigers.
The Mustangs received the opening kickoff, but muffed the ball on the return, giving the ball to the Tigers for the opening drive.
The Tigers immediately took advantage, ending a 4 play, 18 yard drive with junior Jake Cox running it in for the Tigers’ touchdown from five yards out.
Dripping Springs continued its onslaught when senior quarterback Trevor Greenman ran in a score that gave the Tigers a 14-0 lead five minutes into the game.
Aided by another strong defensive effort, Dripping Springs closed the first quarter with a 92 yard, 5 play scoring drive. Senior offensive lineman Dylan Smith punched in a 2-yard touchdown run, which helped the Tigers take a 21-0 lead into the second frame.
Tiger head coach Galen Zimmerman enjoyed seeing his lineman score.
“It’s a linemen’s dream, I don’t know if he was more excited or if his fellow linemen were more excited,” Zimmerman said.
Marble Falls showed some life in the second quarter, intercepting a Tiger pass and immediately scoring on the turnover.
The Tigers tallied one touchdown in the second quarter when Greenman tossed a touchdown pass to Johnny Hoyle, which was Hoyle’s 11th receiving touchdown on the season.
The Tigers began to play some of their reserves in the second half, but that did not stop them from scoring right out of the gate.
Senior Alec Bockelman took a sweep 5-yards to extend Dripping Springs’ lead to 35-7.
Neither defense gave up much in the final quarter; Marble Falls’ defense did not allow the Tigers to get on the board anymore in the game.
The Mustangs found the end zone with five minutes left in the game, but were unable to catch up to the Tigers in the end.
Zimmerman recognized how special this season has been.
“Going 10-0 is pretty special. Doesn’t happen all the time. It’s a special deal,” Zimmerman said.
Greenman finished 6 of 10 passing for 130 yards and a touchdown. He was also his team’s leading rusher by gaining 69 yards on 5 carries, and a touchdown.
Senior Zach Murray finished with 67 yards on 8 carries, while junior Jake Cox rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
The team’s leading receiver was senior Keith Mitchhart who had two receptions for 84 yards.
Hoyle had 3 catches for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, senior Miles Farris had seven tackles, while senior Reed Beverley contributed four tackles.
NEXT UP
The Tigers take on LBJ at the Kelley Reeves Athletic Complex in Round Rock on Nov. 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30.
