Let’ s get physical
Losing last year’ s season opener to Joshua, 21-20, sparked something within Springtown. Behind a sophomore quarterback in Kaine Hill, who moved in from a different school and had a small understanding of the offense, the Porcupines racked off 10 straight wins and went undefeated in District 5-4A for the first time in the Brian Hulett era.
Despite a significant dropoff in intensity some weeks, the team ran through Castleberry in the bi-district round, setting up a matchup with Sulphur Springs.
Battling through injuries and feeling the strength differential against the Wildcats, the Pines felt they started to fall apart physically in the second half and lost 56-39.
“ We had guys on the field that were good players, who are going to be really good players, but weren’ t quite ready for that role against the final 10-12 teams in the state,” said Hulett.
Entering 2025, the focus lies on getting stronger, faster and even more physical to avoid the same result as last season.
According to linebacker Rome Ewell, when evaluating the team’ s performance in 2024, leadership and communication could’ ve improved.
As a part of a sizeable junior class, Ewell hopes players like himself, Riley Jackson and Hill step up in that leadership role. Now, with the experience under their belts, the Porcupines sense a stronger bond with each other and have matured.
Offense
Among the many threeyear players in the 10-2 season, Hulett said the kids who played the most and stood out as substantial losses were the offensive line, totaling eight graduating linemen.
16 FIRST DOWN | AUGUST 2025