An early offensive burst carried the Dripping Springs Tigers to a lopsided 59-29 bidistrict round playoff win Friday over the LBJ Jaguars at the Kelley Reeves Athletic Complex in Round Rock.
With the win, Dripping Springs (11-0) advances to play Richmond Foster in the area round of the playoffs Nov. 24 at 1:30 p.m. at Merrill Green Stadium in Bryan.
Much like they had accomplished all season long, the Tigers jumped out to an early first quarter lead.
After forcing the Jaguars to punt on the opening drive of the game, senior quarterback Trevor Greenman made his first big play of what was a successful first quarter.
The quarterback hit senior Curtis Raymond for a 31-yard touchdown pass on the Tigers’ first drive of the game.
On the ensuing Jaguar drive, Tigers senior Ryland Kinard came up with an interception, the first of many turnovers the Tigers forced on the day. A Greenman rushing touchdown gave the tigers an early 14-0 lead.
The Jaguars fired back as senior Deon Collins added a touchdown to cut the Tiger lead down to 14-7. The Tigers responded when Greenman found senior wide receiver Johnny Hoyle for a 28-yard touchdown pass to expand Dripping Springs’ lead to 21-7.
LBJ countered with a five-minute drive to start the second quarter which was capped off with a four-yard touchdown run by Brian Batts. LBJ trimmed the Tiger lead to 21-13 after a missed extra point.
Dripping Springs turned on the jets from there.
On their next drive, Greenman tossed a pass to Hoyle in full stride, resulting in a 63-yard touchdown. The Jaguars muffed the ensuing kickoff, giving the ball right back to the Tigers.
Dripping Springs capitalized on that mistake, finishing off the short drive with a five yard rushing touchdown from junior Jake Cox.
A 65-yard touchdown pass from Greenman to junior Parker Alford, followed by an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown by senior Reed Beverley expanded the Tiger lead to 49-13 at halftime.
Greenman finished the first half 9 of 11 passing for 227 yards and four touchdowns. He finished by going 11 of 15 for 251 yards, and 5 passing touchdowns, while also rushing for 114 yards and one score.
The Tiger defense recorded three interceptions and one fumble in the first half.
Greenman and the Tiger offense didn’t slow down in the second half. A 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Keith Mitchhart in the third quarter was the final touchdown scored by the Tigers.
LBJ trimmed the lead down to 59-21 late in the third frame. The Jaguars added one final score to close the game.
Cox finished with 140 yards rushing and a touchdown on 19 carries, while Hoyle finished with 4 catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Alford, Mitchhart and Raymond all had a touchdown receiving.
Senior Josh Embry, who finished with seven tackles, led the Tiger defense. Tanner Prewitt had 6.5 tackles of his own. Ricardo Montoya and Ryland Haynes both had a sack on the day.
Five different Tigers finished the game with an interception.
Tiger head Coach Galen Zimmerman said his defense has been successful all season.
“They’ve played great all year long. Our defense is fast to the football,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman is confident in his team going forward.
“We get to play another week, so we’re happy. You are going to play someone good every week,” Zimmerman said.
