Lions end season

A field goal with six seconds remaining ended the football season for the Lockhart Lions, who fell to host Dripping Springs Tigers, 17-14.
More than 300 of the Lockhart faithful braved temperatures in the 40s Friday night to watch the Lions” final District 25-4A and season contest. The first half of the game belonged to defense, with each team making play after play th

at kept the contest scoreless in the first half.
After halftime, Dripping Springs (6-4, 3-3 in 25-4A) managed to spring running back Cory Myers on a 73-yard touchdown run. Kicker Joel Gross added the extra point to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.
The Lions (3-7, 2-4) marched down the field against the Tigers and added six points of their own on a 9-yard run by junior running back T.C. Collins. Lockhart missed the extra point and trailed 7-6.
Trailing the Tigers in the fourth quarter, the Lions put together another scoring drive when quarterback Jacob Alvarez scampered into the end zone from one yard out. The Lions were successful on the two-point conversion with a pass from Alvarez to Alex Contreras. The 2 points left the core at 7-14.
Gross wasted little time bringing the Tigers back when he hit Myers with a nine-yard TD pass. The kick knotted the score at 14-14.
The Tigers got one last chance after penalties pushed Dripping Springs in to field goal range. Myers hit a 23 yard field goal with just 3 seconds left on the clock to give the Tigers the win.
The Lions wrapped up their first season under coach Bryce Monsen with two more victories than last year and included a win over New Braunfels.
“We felt good about the season – we were very proud of the kids and the coaching staff,” Monsen said. “For our first year here we were very excited about what we accomplished.
“We”re looking forward to having a good (off season) and ahead to looking good for next season.”
Offensively, junior quarterback Jacob Alvarez finished the season 69-of-154 passing for 799 yards and two touchdowns. Collins ended the year with 806 yards and five TDs rushing, 104 yards receiving and 358 yards and two scores in punt and kickoff returns.
Defensive leaders included senior defensive tackle Will Uker (45 solo tackles, 57 assists, 20 hurries, 7 stops for losses); senior defensive back Alex Contreras (48 solos, 44 assists; 6 interceptions); senior linebacker Johnny O”Balle (41 solos, 30 assists) and junior linebacker Mark Shelton (41 solos, 31 assists).
“Rodrick Thompson (senior defensive end; 47 total tackles including five for loss) was also a great player for us,” Monsen added. “Another senior, Ricky Alonzo, who played quarterback half the time last year, had a great year at cornerback (32 tackles, 3 interceptions). He made the switch and was awesome.
“All of the seniors were wonderful and were great kids for us.”
Mainly a team comprised of underclassmen, the Lions averaged 234.8 yards offense and surrendered an average of 262.1 yards on defense. That gives hope for an even better season next year.
“I personally want to thank all the fans and student body and everyone associated with football this year,” Monsen added. “Especially everyone coming out support the kids and the Lockhart Lions.”