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Football: Springstead 47, Weeki Wachee 28

 
Published Nov. 7, 2015

WEEKI WACHEE — Despite both teams being eliminated from the postseason prior to Friday night's game at the Hornets' Nest, Springstead and Weeki Wachee had plenty to play for to end the regular season.

The Eagles (4-5) had won their previous two games and ended the campaign on a three-game win streak. The Hornets (4-6) were looking for the program's first non-losing season after surpassing the school record for single-season wins last week, but the defense was unable to contain Springstead's ground attack.

KEY PLAYS: After a strong second quarter, Weeki Wachee took its first and only lead of the game when junior quarterback Alec Cromie hit receiver Jake Wilson in the right corner of the end zone on a juggling one-handed grab. The play over two defenders gave the Hornets a short-lived 21-20 advantage with 8:20 remaining in the third quarter.

Springstead answered on the next drive. Sophomore running back Randy Morgan scampered for an 18-yard touchdown, and a T.J. Owens two-point conversion run gave the Eagles a 28-21 lead. After stopping Weeki Wachee, Springstead stretched the lead to two touchdowns. Morgan ran for a 75-yard touchdown that was called back on a difficult holding call. While the Eagles could have been deflated by the penalty, Owens broke off an 80-yard touchdown run on the next play to stretch the score to 34-21.

STARS OF THE GAME: Owens came into the game with eight touchdowns, five in the past two weeks. Friday night he added four more to that total. While Springstead averaged an amazing 47 points in its final three games, the junior RB came up big with nine touchdowns in that span. Against the Hornets he rushed for a career-high 198 yards and three touchdowns on only eight carries. He added a 39-yard scoring catch as well. … Springstead quarterback Jordan Wright wrapped up his sophomore campaign with 60 yards on six carries on the ground and another 76 yards and a touchdown through the air. … Cromie played his best game decision-wise by almost all accounts. While the numbers were not huge, he rushed for 33 yards after going for minus-5 through the first nine games. He added 191 yards on 15-of-27 passing with one touchdown. … Senior running back Shawn O'Gorman wrapped up his storied career with Weeki Wachee with six catches for 91 yards and another 60 yards and two scores on 11 carries.

STAT OF THE GAME: In the team's four-year history, Weeki Wachee has still never defeated a county opponent other than Central. While the Hornets are 3-1 against the Bears, Hernando, Springstead and Nature Coast are a combined 9-0 against Weeki Wachee.

FINAL WORD: "Expectations were high coming into the season, so yes, this year was a little disappointing. I'm kind of sad to see this season end though, because we're just now hitting our stride." — Springstead coach Mike Garofano