Prior to Springfield's first game against Wilson Central High School, the 2019-20 season would be a proclaimed change of pace on both sides of the ball for the Jackets.
Whether that was for better or for worse, who's to say? SHS' season came to a close Saturday, December 6th, with a 30-6 loss against Elizabethton High School in the TSSAA Class 4A State Championship. Springfield's deep playoff run marks the second championship appearance in three years, and the third consecutive season in at least the tournament's fourth round.
But to say that the Jackets' continued success was expected is far from the truth, unless you're head coach Dustin Wilson.
"Our goal from year to year is to get into the playoffs, and play when others are not as fortunate to be playing.", Wilson said on his expectations for the season. "Success is all on the players. They have bought in and believe in the process of strong work ethic, responsibility, and accountability. That process starts over every year when the calendar turns."
With graduations of quarterback Bryan Hayes, tailback Keith Jones, and wide receiver Dayron Johnson, Springfield looked to replace a plethora of offense with a lack of veterans to do so. Wilson's aforementioned process was crucial with the addition of 44 underclassmen on the opening week roster.
The Jackets would fail to win their season opener against class 6A opponent Wilson Central 37-7. The offense sputtered without senior running back Kevontay White, and seemingly lacked an identity altogether. The only positive for SHS on the evening coming from sophomore Kevarius Smith, a 63 yard sprint to make the score respectable in the second half.
Following the defeat, Springfield would re-tool their offense, experimenting with snap counts, unconventional formations, and a dual-quarterback system between Kevontez Hudson and Austyn Day. Through it all, the offense bounced back from week one, and found its groove throughout the remainder of the year. A 21-15 win against Clarksville High a week later became the offensive foundation for the Jackets, who averaged just above 26 points per game this season.
The September 3rd win would initiate a four game winning streak for Springfield, with additional victories against station Camp, White House, and White House Heritage. SHS would then run into a buzz saw against their third non-district opponent, losing on homecoming to Marshall County, 42-12.
A loss to the Tigers was followed by a 13-10 slug-fest at Montgomery Central, a game where the Jackets had a chance to win late, yet were unable to orchestrate a drive in the closing moments, generating the team's first losing streak of 2019.
Defensive takeaways were noted by the Springfield throughout the loss, however, and were enacted as an integral role over the remaining three contests. Over the final four regular season games, the Jackets defense only allowed 6.3 points per game en route to back-to-back division titles: a feat last accomplished 28 years ago.
The division title sealed home field advantage throughout the postseason for SHS, who found themselves in the driver's seat throughout their first round match up, defeating Jackson South Side 42-21. Springfield would score 11 less points in the second round, yet only allowed one touchdown in round two against Lexington. Quarterback Kevontez Hudson was the MVP for the Jackets' playoff run, scoring twelve of the team's seventeen total postseason touchdowns.
Although being acclaimed heavy underdogs against a recurring opponent in Haywood, Springfield held their own in the TSSAA semifinals. The Jackets did not necessarily outplay the Tomcats, but won the game through discipline and hard work. The first two overtime games in SHS' new stadium did not disappoint, producing an undefeated record, and launching the Jackets back into state title contention for the second time in 26 years.
The season came to yet another abrupt finish in Tucker Stadium, as Springfield's run-first identity was neutralized against the Elizabethton Fighting Cyclones. An average of 192 yards on the ground per game was held to a measly 27, as the Jackets barely eclipsed the 100 yard mark in total offense.
Although another runner-up trophy was not what the Jackets were hoping for going into Saturday's game, plenty of positives can be taken away for this team: a small graduating class, and a team now experienced with the postseason both benefiting Springfield in the coming seasons.
Coach Wilson's process will begin anew in just under a month, but with a well-developed team that believes in their coaching staff alongside the culture of this program, the sky is the limit for the Jackets.
-Blaine Kellar is a Broadcasting and Journalism Intern for Social Dweebs, which has covered Springfield High School Athletics since 2018.
Comments