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The Dripping Springs Tigers are in the middle of practice for the upcoming football season.
For the first time in three years, the coaches at Dripping Springs High School have the problem of determining who the starting quarterback will be. Former QB Austin Novosad graduated earlier this year, leaving for the University of Oregon campus. During his time at DSHS, he amassed 9,090 yards of total offense and 114 passing touchdowns. Backup Jack Williams and Maddox Maher are expected to battle for the position.
Dripping Springs also lost 1,002-yard rusher Kade Curry, but Jack Tyndall returns from an 880 season as a sophomore. Top receiver Kyle Koch (67-1085, 12 TD's) also returns this season, along with receiver Maddox Bloomgren. Aiding in the cause are veteran linemen Jackson Key, Macander Evans and Jacob Ponton.
In the district competition, strong defenses are always a must, and the Tigers have the foundation to stay with the best. Players coming back with solid experience include Tomsen Vickery, Luca Picucci, Rio Hay, JD Casteen, Elijah Gonzales, Jackson Mills and Landon Requard.
The outlook for District 26-6A is much the same as last year. It is split down the middle with have and have nots. Texas Football magazine said it expects the Tigers to finish third behind Westlake and Lake Travis High Schools — with Bowie High School getting the fourth berth. Johnson High School will most likely battle for a playoff berth, but Anderson, Austin, Del Valle and Akins High Schools will work hard to stay out of the cellar.
Westlake had their winning streak and state championship runs stopped when they lost in the state semifinals last season. This season, they have 62 seniors and some quality returning starters that expect to start up a new streak. Lake Travis had some injury problems last year and were not as strong as usual overall, giving them more experience in this coming year to help make a deeper run in the playoffs. Bowie usually has their way with the rest of district opponents.
Dripping Springs knows they will likely be in the Division II playoffs, thanks to being one of the smallest schools in the district. That's what makes the season opener with Vandegrift High School such a fan favorite. Vandegrift, also a top program in the state (they lost in the state finals last year), falls in the Div. II brackets as well and should lead to another rematch along the way just like last year. As most remember, the two teams split their two games, each on last-second field goals.
Dripping Springs traveled to New Braunfels’ Canyon High School last Friday, Aug. 11 to scrimmage. This Friday, the Tigers will host New Braunfels High at 7 p.m.
The Vandegrift game will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 25, and Sept. 1 will see the Tigers travel to San Antonio’s Wagner High School for a 7 p.m. game.
