by The Dripping Spring Tigers (6-2) take down the Lake Travis Cavaliers (6-2) on Friday at home, winning 24-6
The Cavaliers started with the ball and were off to a tough start with multiple incomplete passes by quarterback Kadyn Leon.
The ball was returned to the Tigers, who made their way into Cavalier territory, including an impressive play by star running back Jack Tyndall for 20 yards to put them on Cavaliers 44.
Tyndall is a three-sport Varsity athlete for football, baseball, and track.
Quarterback Maddox Maher passed it off to Tyndall again, who was able to run from Cavaliers 11 to the 1. The crowd cheered for a touchdown, believing it to be over the line, but referees believed Tyndall’s knee to be down at the 1.
On the next play, the Tigers gained the yard, and scored, 7-0.
Cavaliers still lacked rhythm on offense. With Leon under pressure, he slipped and lost yards. The next drive led to an incomplete pass, returning the ball back to the Tigers.
Both teams had possession of the ball but were unable to make any moves.
With 1:21 left, a Tigers ball on the Cavaliers 38 was intercepted by defensive back Josiah Estes.
The second quarter started with the Tigers getting the ball back. In two downs, the Tigers scored with Tyndall taking it 57 yards for a touchdown, 14-0.
Cavaliers continued to struggle to communicate as Leon overthrew the ball multiple times, and the Tigers’ defense put up a fight.
Neither team made much progress throughout the quarter, but linebacker Luca Picucci was able to sack Leon.
Picucci was out for most of this season after knee surgery but is proving he is still up to the challenge.
In the first half, Leon had only 7 yards passing. The Cavaliers decided to put in Chaston Ditta to try to turn the game around.
The third quarter started off with both teams picking up the pace.
After multiple flags on a 3rd and 9, the Tigers got another opportunity to get a 1st down but failed to make the down.
The Cavaliers now had the ball with 9:50 when wide receiver Cole Munnerlyn made an impressive one-handed catch, putting the ball in Tiger territory. The call was reversed when the referees stated his foot was out prior to the catch.
On the next drive, Ditta is sacked. Tigers get the ball back.
With 7:15 on a 3rd and 11, wide receiver Kyle Koch gained 35 yards for the Tigers, making it a 1st down.
Tigers used that first down to get the ball to wide receiver Tristan Felder, who gained 18 yards, putting the ball on Cavalier 3.
Tigers rushed it in for a touchdown, 21-0.
The Cavaliers spent the next 4 minutes with possession, but still couldn’t score.
By the end of the third, Tyndall had already had 32 carries, proving how vital he is to the Tigers offense, and the important role he will play during playoffs.
Tigers had the ball, and gained momentum downfield, but were held by Cavaliers defense, only able to score a field goal, 24-0.
Both teams lacked any gain on their possessions; until 5:02, when wide receiver Dylan Cullers, used a 1st and 10 to gain a 43-yard touchdown, their first of the game, 24-6.
Cavaliers lined up to kick, but called a time-out. They came back in ready to run a 2-point conversion but were unsuccessful as Ditta scrambled to find an open player.
The Tigers and Cavaliers seemed to lose steam as they were unable to put up any further points.
Cavaliers finally kicked it into gear with a minute left, nearing Tiger endzone, but in the last play, Leon threw from Tigers 21, and was intercepted in the endzone.
Tigers showed they have what it takes to be a threat in playoffs with Tyndall and Koch teamed up, while the Cavaliers need to make some changes to their offense if they plan on making an impression.
The Tigers take on the Del Valle Cardinals (1-7) in an away game at 7:30 pm next Friday, while the Cavaliers defend their turf against the Austin Maroons (2-6).
