FOOTBALL
Fitzpatrick finds Leon late to top Dripping Springs
Jay Plotkin American-Statesman Correspondent
Published 3:04 p.m. CT Oct. 21, 2023
LAKE TRAVIS WR KADYN LEON SECURES A LATE TD PASS FROM CAM FITZPATRICK
DRIPPING SPRINGS - With the game tied at 24-24 Cam Fitzpatrick led out the Lake Travis offense after taking possession following a punt with 3:03 left in the game.
Fitzpatrick, who had thrown a pair of touchdowns to go along with a pair of first half interceptions, connected with tight end Sam Self for a gain of six and a first down at their 27 after Nico Hamilton's four yard run on first down. After a two yard run by Hamilton Fitzpatrick found Self again, this time for a gain of 12 and another first down at the 41. Hamilton ran for 11 and then eight more, setting up a second and two on the Dripping Springs 40 yard line. After another Fitzpatrick to Self connection Hamilton carried three times, setting up a third and five at the 19.
With the defense loading up the box to stop Hamilton it was Fitzpatrick finding who else but Sam Smith for a gain of 15 yards down to the Drip four yard line. On the next play Fitzpatrick took the snap and rolled to his right before firing a pass to Kadyn Leon on the edge of the endzone, Leon stretched to secure the pass and the official signaled the touchdown.
Lake Travis' Josiah Estes would intercept a desperation heave by Dripping Springs QB Maddox Maher to secure the win.
The game was a back and forth affair with several lead changes. Nico Hamilton scored first on a 53 yard run for the Cavaliers.
NICO HAMILTON HOLDS OFF A DRIPPING SPRINGS DEFENDER LONG ENOUGH TO GET INO THE ENDZONE
Dripping Springs bounced back, adding a 17 yard field goal then a 20 yard Maher TD pass to Kyle Koch. Lake Travis' Braydon Doane tied it up at 10-10 with a 25 yard field goal near the end of the first quarter.
Fitzpatrick and Leon would strike twice before halftime, putting up scores from three yards out and then a 52 yard connection in the second quarter. Dripping Springs made it 24-17 late in the first half when Noah Lambie picked off a Fitzpatrick pass and took it to the house.
LEON SECURES A LONG TD PASS FROM FITZPATRICK
Dripping Springs' Jack Robert Tyndall tied the game with a 34 yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Each team exchanged punts until Lake Travis found the endzone late to secure the win.
Lake Travis has now won three straight since their loss to Westlake, topping Del Valle (55-0), Anderson (42-20) and now Dripping Springs. The Cavaliers are now 7-1 with games against Austin (2-6) and Bowie (4-4) to wrap up their regular season.
Dripping Springs falls to 5-3 with their second straight loss after falling to Westlake last week.
Fitzpatrick threw for 319 yards with three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Hamilton picked up 174 yards and a score on the ground along with 42 receiving yards. Kadyn Leon paced all receivers with 181 yards and three scores on nine receptions.