For almost three decades, Jeff Goss has seen it all. From no-hitters to playoff glory, Goss’ knowledge of Dripping Springs Baseball goes deep. Now, with this 2026 Tiger team, Goss has an opportunity to compare this squad compared to years past. “2001 and 2025 are the two teams that are the best”, says Goss. “This team is definitely top ten though.
Goss has been the Public Address Announcer for Dripping Springs since 2000, coming over as the “voice of the Jungle” the very same year that Coach Chris Payne took the nod as the head coach of the team. Now in his 26th season with Dripping Springs, Goss looks forward to how far this 2026 team can go, and where they can be historically when it comes to Tigers teams of the past. “I’ve only seen two teams that didn’t make the playoffs, so a lot of great teams,” Goss says, “(This team can be) top ten maybe.”
Goss has also been there from the very first game that Chris Payne has been coach at Dripping Springs. Payne, who is also in his 25th year with the team, and 20th as the coach, currently sits at 418 wins for his career, is only the third coach in school history to reach the mark of 400 in any sport. Goss describes Payne’s impact as “is not the way he coaches, but the way he treated his players. He’s got them all in his heart the whole time.”
Goss also talks about Blake Cox, who has had an outstanding year this year, going undefeated in the regular season, including a one-hitter over District Champion Lake Travis, and a no-hitter over Westlake, both teams that will leave the district beginning next season. Goss thinks very highly of Cox and his play this year. “He’s in the top five, that’s no doubt.” Says Goss, “he’s a guaranteed victory.”
Goss contributions to the program did not go unnoticed. During a surprise celebration, Goss was giving an award by Coach Payne for 25 years as the public address announcer of Dripping Springs last April, in front of his entire family, in which he had no clue it was coming. Ask why he continues to come to the ballpark, Goss’ response is exactly what many expect from him, “I love baseball. It’s my favorite sport.”
Dripping Springs begins the 2026 State Playoffs Thursday night on the road against the Rangers of Vista Ridge, and then will host Vista Ridge Friday and, if necessary, Saturday afternoon, where Jeff Goss will take his normal spot, in the press box, as the voice of the Jungle.