Vandegrift Ends Dripping Springs’ Cinderella Season

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: December 5, 2022

Leander Vandegrift vs Dripping Springs 2022 Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Leander Vandegrift Gets Revenge Against Dripping Springs

Friday night’s UIL 6A-D2 quarterfinal matchup between the Leander Vandegrift Vipers and the Dripping Springs Tigers promised to be an instant classic, and the game did not disappoint. In the first week of the season, the Leander Vandegrift Vipers lost a 23-20 heartbreaker to the Dripping Springs Tigers. On Friday night at Gupton Stadium, the Vipers got a chance for revenge. This time, the stakes were even higher. Both teams entered the game at 12-1, and both teams had a chance to achieve historic milestones for their programs. For Dripping Springs, the game marked only the second time in school history that the Tigers reached the state quarterfinals and the first time as a 6A school. For Vandegrift, the game provided a chance for the Vipers to reach the state semi-finals for only the second time in their 12-year history and the first time as a 6A school. With just under two minutes left in the game leading 27-24, the Vipers recovered Dripping Springs quarterback Austin Novosad’s fumble at the half-yard line, and quarterback Brayden Buchanan scrambled for two crucial first downs to secure the victory.

Early in the game, the Tigers appeared to have the upper hand. On the game’s opening drive, Dripping Springs defensive back Landon Requard intercepted Brayden Buchanan’s pass and returned it to the Vipers’ 38-yard line. Running back Kade Curry then punched the ball in on a one-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead. Vandegrift wasted little time responding, however, as running back Alex Witt broke free on the next drive for a 57-yard run and then tied the game with a ten-yard touchdown run. Later in the first quarter, Dripping Springs kicker Walker Wright gave the Tigers the lead back with a 41-yard field goal. At the start of the second quarter, Dripping Springs defensive back Greyson Jones intercepted another of Buchanan’s passes. The Tigers were also able to turn this turnover into points when running back Jack Tyndall scored on a four-yard touchdown run. Despite the setback, the Vipers responded when Witt broke through a pile of defenders for his second touchdown run of the night. After the game Witt said, “There’s no feeling like it when you break through a pile and there’s no one there but the end zone.” Shortly before halftime, Vandegrift kicker Hayden Arnold tied the game at 17-17 with a 50-yard field goal.

On the opening drive of the second half, Austin Novosad connected with receiver Kyle Koch for a 22-yard touchdown pass to put Dripping Springs back in front. On the ensuing drive, Buchanan tied the game again with a 27-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ray Jean Middleton. The Tigers responded with a drive into Viper territory. However, on fourth down at the Viper 37-yard line, Vandegrift linebacker Oliver Yndo sacked Novosad and gave Vandegrift the ball. Following the turnover, Hayden Arnold netted his second field goal of the night from 32 yards early in the fourth quarter.

After the field goal, the Tigers got the ball back at their own 29-yard line with 10:13 left in the game. Using a heavy dose of the ground game, the Tigers put together a methodical drive that took over eight minutes off of the game clock and reached the Viper five-yard line. Even with a false-start, the Tigers had the ball at first-and-goal from the ten-yard line and appeared poised to once again break the Vipers’ hearts. This time, however, it was the Vipers’ turn to deliver the heartbreak. On third-and-goal, the Viper defense stopped Jack Tyndall at the one-half-yard line. On fourth down, Austin Novosad attempted to push the ball into the end zone but appeared to have it knocked loose. After some deliberation among the officials, the officials ruled that the Vipers recovered the fumble. Brayden Buchanan then scrambled three times and secured a first down which allowed the Vipers to run out the clock and sent the home side into a jubilant frenzy.

After the game, Vandegrift Head Coach Drew Sanders expressed great joy and excitement at his team reaching the state semifinals. Specifically, he praised his team for finding a way to win and overcome the early setbacks. He was also laudatory of the offensive performance especially getting the critical first down following the defense’s fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter. With the win, Vandegrift improves to 13-1 overall. Next week, the Vipers will travel to the Alamo Dome on Saturday, December 10, 2022, to face the Katy Tigers(14-0) in the UIL 6A-D2 semifinals. Dripping Springs, meanwhile, finishes the season at 12-2.

Players Pictured

Vandegrift