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Two of the best teams in the area and state went head-to-head for four quarters, giving the soldout crowd their money's worth.
The two defenses were given the task of controlling two of the best offenses around. They were more than up to the task. The visual was that of two bighorn sheep butting heads until one would finally prevail. The Dripping Springs High School versus Westlake High School contest was all of that and more.
Both teams were undefeated with Westlake ranked second in the state with 46 consecutive wins and three state championships under its belt. The Chaparrals were able to endure the Tigers’ best shots and take the tense 29-10 victory. Those who watched know the margin of victory was not indicative of the game played — with two scores coming late in the game.
In the first half, both defenses kept the offenses out of the endzone and only allowed field goals. The Chaps kicked one in the first quarter and two more in the second. The Tigers managed one in the second quarter, trailing 3-9 at halftime. The Tigers dodged a bullet when a Chap bad snap at the one left the ball on the 11 to force a field goal, and the Tigers would later block a field goal attempt to prevent a two-score lead.
The size of the Westlake defense began to wear on the Tigers in the second half with the Tigers turning over the ball five times. The two teams exchanged scores in the third quarter to enter the fourth with DSHS trailing only 10-16. This lasted until the 6.32 mark when a quarterback sack and resulting fumble gave Westlake a quick score, getting them out of the danger zone of losing. The three ensuing interceptions helped seal the deal but did not affect the outcome, just the difference.
In talking with Westlake coaches after the game, they were amply impressed by the Dripping Springs team, and said there was no reason this district would not have two state champions. Westlake and Lake Travis High School will compete in Division 1 while DSHS and Bowie High School will compete in Division 2.
The Tigers will travel to Lake Travis Friday night, facing a similar level of talent for the second week in a row. Both last week and this week’s games are expected to be similar in purpose as well. While Westlake's head coach Tony Salazar did not want to lose to his alma mater, Lake Travis does not want to lose to the school they broke away from in 1981. DSHS holds a 15-13 edge in overall matchups, but LTHS has won the last nine. DS has not played the Cavaliers since 2011. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
Scoring summary: 1Q: W: Spencer Barnett, 30-yard field goal. 3-0.
2Q: W: Barnett, 28yard field goal. 6-0.
2Q: DS: Walker Wright, 35-yard field goal. 3-6.
2Q: W: Barnett, 46yard field goal. 9-3.
3Q: W: Jackson Kayser, 43-yard run. Extra point: Carter Edge, kick. 16-3.
3Q: DS: Boston Papp, 7-yard pass from Austin Novosad. Extra point: Wright, kick. 10-16.
4Q: W: Paxton Land, 23-yard run. Extra point: two-point conversion failed. 22-10.
4Q: W: Bryce Chambers, 19-yard pass from Land. Extra point: Edge, kick. 29-10.
Game stats (DSHS first): First downs: 10-17; Rushing: 23-44, 37-141; Passing: 127-246; Passes: 13-29-1TD-3Int; 18-241; Punts: 5-41, Penalties: 6-40, 7-54, Fumbles lost: 2-2, 0-0.
DSHS stats: Rushing: Kade Curry 9-45; Jack Tyndall 8-8; Kyle Koch 1-0; Novosad 5-(-) 9.
Passing: Novosad 1329-1-3; Receiving: Garon Duncan 6-64; Koch 4-41; Tyndall 1-8; Wright 1-7; Papp 1-7 TD.
DSHS tackling (unassts/ assts): Derek Edgar 10-5, Luca Picucci 7-5, Landon Requard 7-3, Elijah Gonzales 6-2, Tomsen Vickery 4-3, Nathan Prehar 2-4, Rio Hay 2-3, Greyson Jones 3-1, Gunnar Betts 4-1, Keller Stafford 2-2, Bryson Amrine 3-2, JD Casteen 1-1, Raphael Siewen 0-3, Nolan Dahl 2-0.
