Marble Falls football hosting explosive Dripping Springs
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — A matchup of longtime rivals pits a squad suffering a lopsided loss against an opponent that sent shockwaves throughout Class 5A.
Marble Falls (2-2, 0-1) welcomes Dripping Springs (2-2, 1-0) at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 to Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls.
On Sept. 19, the Tigers shut out Cedar Park High, last week’s No. 2-ranked team in the conference, 23-0. Meanwhile, the Mustangs enter this contest after a 49-21 loss to Cedar Park Vista Ridge.
“If you can beat Cedar Park, you’re a good team, period,” Mustangs head coach Matt Green said.
Dripping Springs simply dominated in every phase of its game.
Sophomore running back Joe Fex had 36 rushes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. He has 69 carries for 457 yards and five touchdowns on the season.
Teammate Reese Johnson caught a pair of interceptions during the win against Cedar Park. The Tigers forced four turnovers.
And senior kicker Braden Shields nailed field goals of 32, 32 and 36 yards. According to reports, that set a new school record. Shields’ 64-yard punt was the 12th farthest in program history, while the 74-yard punt courtesy of Shep Shepard is the second longest in program history.
Cedar Park not scoring a point was the first shutout of a Timberwolves team since 2003, according to reports.
Cedar Park recorded 272 yards of total offense, 192 on the ground, compared to Dripping Springs’ 228 with 124 in the air.
For the season, Dripping Springs quarterback Shepard has completed 39 of 91 passes for 514 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions and has run for 62 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries.
Green said a solid game will be important for the Mustangs. He noted that during the 49-21 loss to Vista Ridge, the Rangers scored on five consecutive drives, four in the opening period. Of their 622 yards of total offense, the Rangers racked up 289 yards in the first 12 minutes.
“(The Marble Falls players) have to understand they have to play well in the first quarter,” Green said.
Both teams had 13 explosive plays. But Vista Ridge recorded 10 in the first half to the Mustangs’ five.
In addition, the Rangers recovered two Marble Falls fumbles inside the Vista Ridge 15-yard line. And the Rangers recorded a pair of touchdowns on the ensuing drives.
Green said the Mustangs have no time to dwell on this setback because the Tigers will be looking for their second win in district play.
“You need the kids to bounce back from a tough loss,” he said.
jfierro@thepicayune.com