Dripping Springs had made the playoffs just twice in the fourteen years before Galen Zimmerman took over the program in 2015.
Now, the Tigers have won at least a share of a district title over the past six seasons.
Amidst Dripping Springs’ recent achievements, Zimmerman said the community’s support has been vital to the success of his football program.
“We’ve got really good kids that can play football at a high level and are committed,” Zimmerman said. “The good thing about being in Dripping Springs is we’ve got a community that loves what their kids love, and the community support has been unbelievable.”
NO BETTER PLACE THAN DRIPPING SPRINGS TEXAS FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS @CoachGZimmerman @FlxAtx @DSFBTPD @A_Pena4 @CoachMW20 @CoachT_Marshall @delossae17 @MarteJr @CoachStancik @DSCoachReynolds pic.twitter.com/MqfrmDa7Ut
— Ronnie Adair (@adairphoto16) September 27, 2021
Dripping Springs is a relatively rural town located about 25 miles west of Austin. In recent years, the growth in the Austin area has exploded and Dripping Springs has seen that effect firsthand. Its population grew from 1,788 in 2010 to 4,650 by the 2020 Census.
With that growth, the Tigers will play in 6A, the largest classification in Texas, for the first time in school history this year.
Making matters even tougher is that two of Dripping Springs’ opponents in District 26-6A will be Lake Travis and Westlake, perennial contenders that have 19 state title game appearances between them. Bowie is not to be overlooked either as the Bulldogs have made the playoffs 14 of the past 15 seasons.
“26-6A is going to be deep,” Zimmerman said. “You’re talking about solid, high-caliber football teams, so it’s going be a challenge. Our kids are excited about that. As a competitor, you want to [be challenged], so we’re really excited about that opportunity.”
Heading into their inaugural 6A season, the Tigers are coming off a mixed bag of a 2021 season.
On the bright side for the program, Dripping Springs completed just its second undefeated regular season in school history last year. However, Georgetown knocked the Tigers out of the playoffs in the first round just a week later in a 63-56 thriller.
“The season as whole, I felt, was very successful,” Zimmerman said. “Obviously, we wanted to play several weeks longer, but I think everyone’s in that boat. We don’t want to downplay the entire season by just kind of how the ending was.”
Looking forward to this season, the Tigers will be glad to have quarterback Austin Novosad (3,399 passing yards and 40 touchdowns) back to lead the offense. Zimmerman said the leadership qualities of the four-star Baylor commit are an asset to the program.
“He’s the kind of person when he talks, people listen, and people just enjoy being around him,” Zimmerman said. “Obviously, he’s got great athletic ability, but I think it’s some of those intangibles–the leadership qualities, knowledge of the game, the competitiveness–that really separates him from some of the other great quarterbacks.”
Austin Novosad (@Austin2novosad) with an absolute dime to Kyle Koch to extend the Tigers lead to 56-28 over Hays with 2:06 left in the 3rd quarter. pic.twitter.com/gOdPHOeMKg
— Grayson Grundhoefer (@GrayGrundhoefer) September 4, 2021
Offensively, plenty of weapons still return for the Tiger offense despite the graduation of running back Preston Alford, a three-year starter for Dripping Springs.
Kyle Koch, who had a breakout sophomore year with 1,313 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, is one of the leading returning receivers in the whole state of Texas-based on 2021 receiving yardage. In addition to Koch, Dripping Springs also returns Garon Duncan, a three-year starter (477 receiving yards in 2021), and last year’s starting slot receiver Walker Wright (364 receiving yards). Zimmerman also said he thinks tight end Maddox Bloomgren could have a “very productive” year for the Tigers.
DRIPPING SPRINGS TIGERS STANDOUT @GaronDuncan #CLUTCH6 ALWAYS A HIGHLY ATHLETIC CATCH. DRIPPING SPRINGS TIGERS STAY PERFECT @KatieMagby @CoachGZimmerman @A_Pena4 @MarteJr @delossae17 @CoachMW20 @CoachT_Marshall @DSFBTPD pic.twitter.com/GsLx8hbr2v
— Ronnie Adair (@adairphoto16) October 17, 2021
And with three-year starter Brendan Kelly anchoring the offensive line, Zimmerman has high hopes for the prospects of his team’s offense this season.
“The expectation is to be a productive offense again,” Zimmerman said. “I feel like we’ve got a good enough unit that we’re going to be able to spread the ball around. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
Defensively, Dripping Springs has eight starters back from a year ago.
Zimmerman said juniors Tomsen Vickery and Elijah Gonzales both had productive years last year. However, he said they will have to play even “bigger than they are” this year since they’ll be going up against larger 6A offensive linemen.
The Tigers also return three key linebackers in seniors Bryson Amrine and Derek Edgar and junior Luca Picucci. Zimmerman said he feels very confident in the linebacker position since all three are capable playmakers in space.
DRIPPING SPRINGS TIGERS SOPHOMORE @LucaPicucci “LIVE WIRE” ITS ALWAYS TIME TO EAT! #24 @CoachGZimmerman @MarteJr @Bryson_Amrine @CoachMW20 @delossae17 @CoachStancik @CoachT_Marshall @DSCoachReynolds pic.twitter.com/DEqHW5AZoE
— Ronnie Adair (@adairphoto16) September 29, 2021
In the secondary, cornerback Gunnar Betts is back, while Zimmerman said the other secondary positions are currently up for grabs.
Keller Stafford, Gabe Quintana, Landon Requard, and sophomore Jackson Mills are all players Zimmerman said he could see playing a role on the back end of the Tiger defense.
“I feel like we’ve got good depth on that side of the ball,” Zimmerman said. “We just need to find who our playmakers are starting this season.”
And as Dripping Springs prepares for its new 6A adventure, the word Zimmerman is currently preaching is consistency. He knows the Tigers will face some tough opponents, so they will have to bring their best every week.
“If you’re competing with the other team, you’re going to be inconsistent depending on who’s across from you,” Zimmerman said. “We want to worry about playing our best and being consistently ready versus worrying about who we’re playing on any given week.”
2022 Dripping Springs Tigers Football Schedule
(Bold designates District 26-6A matchup)
8/26 at Vandegrift
9.2 vs. San Antonio Wagner
9/16 vs. Austin High
9/23 at Bowie
9/30 vs. Buda Johnson
10/6 at Akins
10/14 vs. Westlake
10/21 at Lake Travis
10/28 vs. Del Valle
11/4 at Anderson
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