Westlake Rallies Past Dripping Springs

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 16, 2023

Austin Westlake vs Dripping Springs 2023

photos: Steve Thomas

Chaps rally in second half to hold off upset-minded Tigers

On Friday night, the Westlake Chaparrals found themselves in a relatively unfamiliar situation. Facing the Dripping Springs Tigers in a pivotal District 26-6A showdown, the Chaps trailed the Tigers 14-7 at halftime. It was only the third time the Chaps had trailed in a game all season. In the first half, the Tigers came out swinging and matched the Chaps physicality on both sides of the ball. The Tigers had great success running the ball, especially running back Jack Tyndall, and the defense held Westlake’s offense in check. In the second half, however, the Chaps were able to get back on track. With a solid performance from quarterback Rees Wise and a stout defensive effort, the Chaps rallied and scored 20 unanswered points for a 27-14 win.

On the opening drive of the game, Tyndall broke free for a 71-yard touchdown run to put Dripping Springs ahead 7-0. Tyndall rushed for a total of 200 yards in the game. Later in the quarter, defensive back Judson Crockett blocked his first of two punts on the night; and the Chaps recovered the ball at the Tigers’ 20-yard line. Taking advantage of the excellent field position, Rees Wise tied the game on a four-yard touchdown keeper. At the start of the second quarter, Dripping Springs quarterback Maddox Maher connected with receiver Kyle Koch for a 46-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers back in front. Neither team was able to gain any momentum on offense for the rest of the half, and both teams missed field goal attempts.

After the Tigers punched the Chaps in the mouth in the first half, the Chaps returned the favor in the second half. On the first drive of the half, Wise capped off a 61-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown scramble. The Westlake defense forced a punt on the next drive, but the Chaps failed to capitalize missing their second field goal of the night. At the end of the third quarter, the Chaps got a critical stop on fourth down stopping Jack Tyndall short of the first-down marker. Following the stop, Wise found the end zone again on a four-yard touchdown keeper to give Westlake its first lead of the night. On the ensuing drive, the Westlake special teams came up big again. Judson Crockett got his second blocked punt of the night, and receiver Heath McRee returned the ball for a touchdown. The Tigers tried to mount a response and drove the ball into Westlake territory. However, linebacker Elliot Schaper hit Maddox Maher as he was throwing on fourth and 11, and Maher’s pass fell incomplete.

After the game, Westlake head coach Tony Salazar received several questions about what type of halftime speech he gave to his players to inspire the rally. While Salazar did say that he and the team had a “heart-to-heart” conversation at halftime, he said that his players did a good job of holding each other accountable as well. Regarding the team’s response halftime, Salazar said, “They looked each other in the face and said, ‘That’s not who we are.’” Salazar also praised his defense for making several big plays and being able to match Dripping Springs’s physicality. With the win, Westlake improves to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in district. Next week, the Chaps head to House Park in Austin to face the Austin High Maroons (2-5, 2-3.)

Dripping Springs, meanwhile, falls to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in district. For his part, Head Coach Galen Zimmerman credited his team for the improvement they have shown throughout the season. Zimmerman likened this game and the next week’s game against Lake Travis to the playoffs and said that the key to success for his team will be to put this loss behind them and prepare for the next game. The Tigers will host the Lake Travis Cavaliers (6-1, 4-1) next Friday.

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Dripping Springs