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Football: Springstead 33, Mitchell 7

 
Published Sept. 17, 2016

By DEREK J. LaRIVIERE

Times Correspondent

SPRING HILL — To the surprise of no one in a Springstead uniform, confidence was high as the Eagles started their Class 6A, District 6 schedule by hosting defending district champion Mitchell. So their win might have been an upset on paper, but the Eagles (2-1, 1-0) set the tone very early and continued to do so for much of the game.

Key plays: Springstead dominated from the start, electing to receive opening kickoff after a half-hour rain delay. After driving the length of the field, the Eagles stalled in the red zone and turned it over on downs. However, the Mustangs (2-1, 0-1) went three and, Springstead drove for a 1-yard touchdown run by Demetrius Barry with 24 seconds left in the first quarter. … Springstead quarterback Jordan Wright's second-quarter touchdown run from 8 yards capped a 91-yard drive. … On fourth and goal, Springstead cornerback Nathan Sims knocked down a Larry Dalla Betta pass intended for wide receiver Chris Thomas in the end zone right before halftime. … After the Eagles stopped Mitchell on another three and out to start the second half, Springstead running back Randy Morgan ran 60 yards for a touchdown on a toss pitch option, giving the Eagles a 20-0 advantage.

Stars of the game: One week after being carted off the sideline against Nature Coast, Wright (1-of-3, 47 yards, 16 carries, 85 yards, TD) showed grit for Springstead. … Sims (four carries, 20 yards) made two tackles in the backfield on Mitchell running back Mychael Hamilton in addition to his key pass deflection. On offense, he played quarterback, tailback and receiver for Springstead. … Morgan had 12 carries for 131 yards and touchdown to go with a 47-yard reception. His speed gave the Mustangs fits on the edge. … As Mitchell attempted to come back on the arm of Dalla Betta, Springstead defensive lineman Zack Lawrence sacked the Mustangs quarterback twice. … Springstead fullback Demetrius Barry had 17 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Stats of the game: After being shredded last week by Nature Coast running back T.J. Owens, the Eagles might have had their hands full with another standout back in Hamilton. But the defense held Mitchell to 2.0 yards per carry on 27 attempts, including 19 carries for 60 yards from Hamilton. The Mustangs' longest run was Dalla Betta's 14-yard scramble. … The past four winners of this game have gone on to qualify for the postseason, twice by the Mustangs and twice by Springstead.

Final word I: "Springstead's got them boys. They can doubt us all year, but they still have to play us." — Wright

Final word II: "If we ran an offense that featured just one guy, (Randy Morgan) could be just as good as (Central RB) De'Vonta (Smith), T.J. (Owens), or any of those guys." — Springstead coach Mike Garofano