In 2024, one area team was crowned a state champion. Could that number go up this season? The road to AT&T Stadium for the UIL title games starts later this month. 

The poll is derived from rankings by three local preps reporters and an editor.

Here’s more on the Tigers:

No. 9 Dripping Springs

2024: 8-4, 4-2 in District 26-6A. Lost to San Antonio Harlan 55-24 in area round of state playoffs

Starters back: 6 offense, 6 defense

Last three seasons: Dripping Springs is 31-9 since 2022.

Key game: Lake Travis, Oct. 17. Last year the Cavaliers knocked the Tigers out of the District 26-6A title chase with a 49-21 victory. The tide could turn if the Tigers can win this home game.

A few notes about the Tigers, who will open the season Aug. 29 at Tiger Stadium against Class 6A DII state champion Vandegrift for the fourth straight year.

• There’s a battle brewing on who’ll replace Maddox Maher (now at Angelo State) at quarterback. The contenders, senior Mateo Perez and junior Chase Ames, have different skill sets, head coach Galen Zimmerman said. Perez, who played in the playoff game last season against Harlan, is a dual threat while Ames’ biggest strength is his passing game. “It’s one of the closest quarterback battles I’ve ever been part of,” Zimmerman told the Statesman at practice Thursday. “It comes down to who moves the offense better.”

• Defense should be a strength with the return of LB Dylan Brasher (103 tackles), LB Kyle Daniel (50 tackles) and DB Malachi Igharo (56 tackles, 3 INTs). … With only two starters back on the offensive line, one might believe that’ll be an area of concern. Perhaps, but consider that last year’s team had no returning starters. The line will be protected by Hudson Whitenight (6-4, 280) and John Ault (6-2, 230). Whitenight is weighing several college offers, including Nebraska and Arizona State. … Ault, an excellent lacrosse player, is being courted by some small colleges to play football. Several members of the team have received college offers but have not committed. Among them are Igharo (service academies, Ivy League schools), slot receiver James Montgomery, WR Merrik Bloomgren, LB Miles Kennedy and Brasher.

*The Dripping Springs-Vandegrift opener could be a playoff preview since both are expected to make the postseason. Dripping Springs beat the Vipers 23-20 in 2022 on a last-second field goal. Vandegrift has won the last two meetings by comfortable margins. Zimmerman said “it’s a good matchup for both teams” to meet in the opener for the fourth straight season.

This is a year of milestones for Zimmerman. He turned 50 in May and is about to enter his 10th year as head coach of the Tigers. … The top player is 6-foot-5 WR Cooper Reid, who has committed to Arizona State. He caught 62 passes for 1,006 yards and 15 TDs as a junior. “I’m super excited about that, but I want to be here in the moment,” Reid said. … Another offensive player to watch is RB Jaceton Gotta (355 yards, 2 TDs). … Kyle Daniel isn’t sure where his football future lies, but that doesn’t mean the next step of his life is uncertain. Beginning at Texas A&M, he aspires to go to dental school. It should take eight years to complete his education, but “that’s something I want to do,” he said.