Marble Falls ends season against undefeated Dripping Springs
Marble Falls High School senior defensive back Bryce Murphy and the Mustangs have been solid on that side of the ball for the past several weeks. The Mustangs will face their toughest test when they host Dripping Springs on Friday, Nov. 10. Photo by Luedecke Photography
STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO
MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School football team will end its season against an opponent other District 26-5A coaches say is a bar above the rest in the division.
Marble Falls (3-6 overall, 1-5 district) welcomes Dripping Springs (9-0, 6-0) on Friday, Nov. 10. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls.
Catch the contest on KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune or at KBEYFM.com starting with the Highland Lakes Coaches Roundup at 6:30 p.m.
In honor of Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11, veterans can watch the game for free.
Coaches around the district believe the Tigers have enough natural talent and ability to go several rounds deep in the playoffs thanks. They average 43 points a game while only giving up an average of 14.
Mustangs interim head coach Mike Birdwell said one reason Dripping Springs is so good is because the Tigers have experience and depth at all positions.
“They are a veteran team on both sides of the ball,” he said. “They have six to nine senior starters (on offense and defense), and a lot of their backups are seniors. That staff has pushed all the right buttons. We know we’ll get their best effort.”
The Tigers are led by senior dual-threat quarterback Trevor Greenman, who has completed 113 of 174 passes for 2,057 yards, 29 touchdowns, and two interceptions and has 96 carries for 673 yards and eight touchdowns.
Junior running back Jacob Cox has 100 carries for 791 yards and four touchdowns, and senior receiver Johnny Hoyle leads the team with 664 yards and 10 touchdowns on 33 catches.
“They’re one of the more dynamic offenses in the district,” Birdwell said. “Their offensive line is the most physical in our district, and they play from snap to whistle.”
Birdwell noted the Mustangs defense has played well throughout the season, including holding Kerrville Tivy to seven points for most of the first half before eventually losing 38-0.
Defensively, the Tigers start nine seniors, including safety Josh Embry, a four-year starter, defensive end Ricardo Montoya, and inside linebacker Beau Collins.
Embry has 56 tackles, while Montoya has 27 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and three sacks. Collins leads the squad with 137 tackles, five sacks, and an interception.
The Mustangs will counter with junior quarterback Andrew Stripling, who has completed 141 of 237 yards for 1,662 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions and has 44 carries for 194 yards and two touchdowns; junior running back Dillon Mayberry, who has rushed 90 times for 432 yards and two touchdowns, and senior receiver Keegan Deering, who has 42 catches for 583 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Birdwell said Dripping Springs swarms to the football very quickly.
“We want to finish this season off right,” he said. “We are by far the underdog. Dripping Springs is a rivalry game. We didn’t play well last year. We play well at home. A few years back, we played Dripping Springs at home and were able to win that game.”
The Mustangs will honor their seniors and parents before kickoff in the final contest of the 2017 season.