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The Dripping Springs High School football team began its playoff run successfully as they hosted a former district foe in the form of Vista Ridge High School.
The Rangers, who held a 6-4 record against the Tigers, could not dent the Dripping Springs run-defense (54 yards) or sudden quick strikes and fell 34-14 in the bidistrict game. This victory allowed the Tigers to move to the area game against Converse’s Judson High School. That game will be played at the D.K. Rutledge Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18. Kickoff will be 2 p.m.
The Tigers just keep on improving their field of play at the right time and giving opposing coaches more phases to worry about. The Vista Ridge game highlighted the improvement and skillset of wide receiver Cooper Reid, which takes the pressure off ace receiver, Kyle Koch. Prior to this night, quarterback Maddox Maher had been reluctant to run but showed that he could. The offense continues to show off their big-strike capabilities. One can never go to sleep on them. The ferocious Tiger defense notifies opponents it will be a long night if they try to move the ball on the ground.
Vista Ridge took the opening kickoff and moved the ball a couple of first downs before having to punt. The Tigers possession was blunted by an interception. Gabriel Quintana returned the favor by intercepting a pass at the Tiger 39. On the sixth play Maher hit Reid for a 35-yard touchdown made more spectacular by Reid's one hand reach out. Landon Requard was true on the extra point. 7-0 with 4.10 remaining. Vista Ridge was forced to punt. The Tigers took over at their 22 and on the first play Maher hit Koch down the middle. He legged it in ahead of the crowd for 78. 14-0 at 1.14.
Late in the second the Tigers marched 68 yards in nine plays, culminated by a 35-yard pass, Maher to Koch, to make it 21-0 with 2.09 left. The Rangers moved the ball to the 14 only to have Deacon Ivey block the attempted field goal.
It was back and forth for much of the second half. Vista Ridge would hit paydirt first at the 2.33 mark on an 84-yard pass. On the first play of the fourth for the Tigers, Koch took the handoff and blew by the Rangers. The 93-yard run was the second longest in Tiger history. 28-7. Next possession, Koch would score on the shortest possible as Maher hit him from the one. The extra point was missed. 34-7. The Rangers final scoring play was a 53-yard pass. 34-14.
Game stats (DSHS first): First down 22-24; Rushing 41-304, 25-54; Passing 299-248; Passes 14-22-2, 15-33-1; Punts 2-32, 5-34; Penalties 10118, 7-60; Fumbles lost 1-0.
Tiger stats: Rushing: Jack Tyndall 22-121; Koch 3-105 TD; Maher 8-41; Nick Tyndall 8-37; Passing: Maher 14-22299-2-4TD; Receiving: Koch 8-182 3TD; Reid 4-79 TD; Tristan Felder 1-21; J. Tyndall 1-7. KOR: Koch 1-42; Felder 1-19; Int. Quintana.
DS tackling (Unasst/ asst): Luca Picucci 3-6, Theo Howard 3-5, Nolan Dahl 3-4, Elijah Gonzales 6-2, Tomsen Vickery 2-3, Requard 3-0, Rio Hay 1-3, Quintana 2-0, Ivey 1-2, Noah Lambie 1-1.
