Dripping Springs Handles Lake Travis

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 21, 2023

Dripping Springs vs Austin Lake Travis 2023 by Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Tigers dominate in trenches for second-consecutive win over Cavaliers

Before there was the Battle of the Lakes against Austin Westlake, the Lake Travis Cavaliers primary rivals were the Dripping Springs Tigers. Prior to last year, the Tigers and Cavaliers had not played since 2011 because Lake Travis had moved up to Class 6A. In 2022, UIL realignment moved Dripping Springs up to Class 6A and put them in District 26-6A which included Lake Travis. Last year, the Tigers stunned the Cavaliers 38-31 and added a new chapter to the rivalry.

This season, Lake Travis entered the game at 6-1 overall and 4-1 in district. The Cavaliers lone blemish was a 20-14 loss to Westlake. Last week, the Cavaliers cruised to a 42-15 district win over Austin Anderson. Dripping Springs, meanwhile, entered at 5-2 overall and 4-1 in district. The Tigers led Westlake 14-7 at halftime, but the Chapparals rallied in the second half for a 27-14 win. Against Westlake the Tigers were the more physical team in the first half, but the Chaps turned the tables in the second half. This week, the Tigers exerted their dominance in both halves. The offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage allowing the offense led by running back Jack Tyndall to move the ball effectively. The defense, meanwhile, shut down the Lake Travis offense, and the Tigers achieved a convincing 24-6 win.

In the first quarter, Dripping Springs quarterback Maddox Maher opened the scoring with a one-yard run using the “Brotherly Shove” made popular by the Philadelphia Eagles. Lake Travis had three drives in the first quarter with an average starting field position of their own 46-yard line but failed to score on all three drives. In the second quarter, Jack Tyndall broke free for a 57-yard touchdown run to put Dripping Springs ahead 14-0. Tyndall had 38 rushes for 216 total yards in the game.

On the opening drive of the third quarter, Lake Travis defensive back Josiah Estes appeared to get his second interception of the night and regain some momentum for his team. However, offsetting penalties negated the turnover. Maddox Maher then connected with receiver Kyle Koch on two deep passes; and the Tigers pushed Maher across the goal line a second time to put Dripping Springs ahead 21-0. To make matters worse for Lake Travis, starting quarterback Kadyn Leon suffered an apparent ankle injury in the third quarter and missed the rest of the game. In the fourth quarter, Dripping Springs kicker Landon Requard tacked on a 34-yard field goal which gave the Tigers a 24-0 lead. Later in the quarter, backup quarterback Chaston Ditta put the Cavaliers on the board with a 42-yard touchdown pass to receiver Dylan Cullers; but the Cavaliers failed the two-point conversion.

After the game, Dripping Springs Head Coach Galen Zimmerman praised his team’s physicality and focus. Zimmerman said that, after the disappointing result against Westlake, his team was motivated to get back out and prove that they could compete at an elite level. Regarding the team’s physicality, Zimmerman said that his offensive line played “fierce” and that the defensive line played “bigger than they are.” With the win, Dripping Springs improves to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in district. Next week, the Tigers travel to Del Valle to face the Del Valle Cardinals (1-7, 1-5.)

Lake Travis, meanwhile, falls to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in district. Following the game, Head Coach Hank Carter credited Dripping Springs for playing a tough physical game and acknowledged that his team got outmatched. Carter credited his special teams unit for their performance but also said that the team needs to improve in the other facets as well. “We don’t want to become good at punting,” Carter said. Next week, the Cavaliers return home to face the Austin High Maroons (2-6, 2-4.)

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Dripping Springs