Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Friday at Tiger Stadium
Last week: Lake Travis defeated Anderson, 42-15. Dripping Springs lost to Westlake, 27-14
Last meeting: Dripping Springs defeated Lake Travis 38-31 on Oct. 21, 2022, at Cavalier Stadium.
All-time record: This is the 10th meeting between the two schools, but only the second in the past 10 years. Lake Travis leads the all-time series 8-1 and won eight straight games from 2004-2011.
Tale of the tape
| LAke Travis | Dripping Springs | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 6-1 (4-1) | 5-2 (4-1) |
| Points per game | 31.9 | 38.7 |
| Points allowed per game | 10.7 | 13.3 |
| Passing yards per game | 125.3 | 184.3 |
| Rushing yards per game | 216.1 | 205.1 |
Players to Watch
Dripping Springs: QB Maddox Maher (83-145-4, 1,113 yards, 13 TDs; RB Jake Tyndall (122-946-13); WR Kyle Koch (35-595-7); DE Rio Hay (26 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 Sacks).
Lake Travis: QB Kayden Leon (67-102-1, 782 yards, 10 TDs; 61 carries, 399 yards, 6 TDs); RB Nico Hamilton (73-519-3); OLB Everett Underhill (49 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, ); MLB Markus Boswell (46 tackles, 5 TFL, 7 sacks)
The storyline
Last week didn’t go as hoped for Dripping Springs. However, the Tigers did become the first team that’s held a lead against district-frontrunner Westlake at halftime all season. That game is history and now Dripping Springs is focused on writing new history in a storied rivalry with Lake Travis.
The Cavaliers have owned this series dating back to the days of Garrett Gilbert, Todd Reesing, and Michael Brewer. Lake Travis won the first eight meetings by an average 29 points when both teams were in Class 4A. The Cavaliers moved up to Class 5A (now 6A) in 2012 and the two teams never renewed their rivalry until last year, when Dripping Springs made the jump from Class 5A to 6A.
That was then, and this is now. In a turn of events, the Tigers will be the slight favorites going into Friday’s game… at least on paper. Dripping Springs has something to prove and will face a Lake Travis team that’s not lost since the Westlake game.
A playoff ticket will be handed out
The winner of Friday’s game will clinch a playoff spot, although it will have little to do with playoff positioning. Should both Westlake and Lake Travis make the playoffs, they will be the Division I representatives. That means Dripping Springs and Bowie or Buda Johnson will both be in Division II.
Not a lot of takeaways
It might shock you to know that Lake Travis and Dripping Springs’ defenses have a combined six forced turnovers this season. Senior Josiah Estes has the lone interception for the Cavaliers. He and junior Cameron Brooks each have one fumble recovery.
All three of the Tigers’ turnovers have come from interceptions. Senior Noah Lambie has two, while senior Gabe Quintana has one.
Who has the advantage?
A new feature to our Game of the Week preview is looking at who has the advantage in certain positions.
| POSITION | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Quarterback | Dripping Springs |
| Running back | Dripping Springs |
| Wide receivers | Dripping Springs |
| Offensive line | Dripping Springs |
| Defense | Lake Travis |
| Special Teams | Lake Travis |
| Intangibles (Fans, student sections, etc) | Even (Lake Travis travels well) |
Our pick
On paper, Dripping Springs is the clear favorite. However, the game is not played on paper. The Tigers have the better offense and running back Jack Tyndall has big play capabilities. Lake Travis may be known as Quarterback High, but often overlooked is the Cavalier defense. Head coach Hank Carter, now in his 14th season at Lake Travis, has a reputation as a defensive coach. One would assume the Cavaliers will be ready for Dripping Springs’ offense. Regardless, Dripping Springs will be the best offense Lake Travis has seen this season outside of Westlake. Prediction: Dripping Springs 31, Lake Travis 28.