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Homecoming games always put a little consternation in coaches' game plans.
No one wants to lose a homecoming game, so most coaches try to ensure that their opponents that week won’t be too tough. It can be a tricky pick though, since it’s usually a district game and all the week's activities can cause distractions. On top of that, coaches would like to be able to play all their players for the family and friends that attend. Fortunately, all items on the list were checked off last Friday night, Sept. 16, when the Dripping Springs High School Tigers pounded the Austin High School Maroons 77-0.
This opened district play with a win, leaving the Tigers undefeated.
Overall, the game boiled down to one thing: Austin could not solve the Tigers defense, which created six turnovers on the night, five of which led to touchdowns.
DSHS kicked and Austin made a first down before leaving the ball on the ground for defensive lineman Nathan Prehar (#90) to fall on at the Austin 45-yard line. Running back Jack Tyndall (#18) carried it three times to the nine-yard line, and quarterback Austin Novosad (#16) hit wide receiver Garon Duncan (#8) in the endzone for the first score. Walker Wright (#7) kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead at 8.57 in the first quarter. The Tigers got it back on the 45-yard line on a punt. Novosad tossed the ball to Tyndall, and he carried it in from the 19-yard line. 14-0. Another punt put the ball on the 50. Novosad hit wide receiver Kyle Koch (#6) for 49 yards and then sneaked it in from the one-yard line to end the first quarter 21-0.
The second quarter was even more productive. After Austin fumbled on the 33-yard line, running back Kade Curry (#23) ran the ball to the five-yard line and then carried it in from there. 28-0 with 11.27 in the half. After a three and out, the Tigers had to go 63 yards. The final 15 yards were run by Curry to bring the score to 35-0. The Tiger defense thwarted a fourth-down effort that put DSHS on the 46-yard line. Tyndall toted the old pigskin for the final 13. 42-0. 4.42. Next, defensive lineman Braiden Vaughn (#44) fell on a fumble at the 23-yard line, and Novosad hit wide receiver Skylar Capone-Ford (#15) from the eight. 490. 3.55. Finally, defensive back Landon Requard (#8) intercepted a pass in the endzone to have the Tigers face 80 yards. Novosad hit tight end Boston Papp (#25), who weaved his way the final eleven yards for the score, making it 56-0 at the end of the half.
The second half slowed down as all the reserves got to see plenty of action. On the opening drive, Curry ran in another touchdown from 27 yards out, and Joshua Wagner's (#99’s) kick made it 63-0. One possession later, running back Logan Urwiler (#13) pounded it in from the three-yard line. 70-0. Linebacker Brandon Peters (#22) finished off the scoring when he picked up a fumble and returned it 23 yards for the score. Aiden Burgess (#46) toed the extra point. The fourth quarter was mainly running out the clock.
The next two weeks will be very important to the Tigers. Sept. 23, they will travel to the Toney Burger Activity Center in south Austin to take on the Bowie High School Bulldogs — who are also undefeated this season. The following Friday, Sept. 30, the Tigers will host Hays Johnson High School.
Game stats (DSHS first): First downs 26-7; Rushing 30-237, 27-18; Passing 286-105; Passes 21-25-0-4TD, 9-20-2; Punts 2-35.0, 7-35.6; Penalties 5-50, 6-55; Fumbles lost 0-0. 4-4.
