On December 1st, 2017, Springfield High School reached the TSSAA State Championship in attempts to bring home a title for the first time since 1993. The Jackets failed to achieve that goal, bludgeoned by the Greeneville Green Devils, 54-13.
On Saturday, December 7th, the Jackets made a triumphant return to Cookeville to face off against a different opponent: The Fighting Cyclones of Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Springfield narrowed the deficit from two years prior yet were still unable to achieve the covetous hardware: the final score 30-6.
While Quarterback Bryson Rollins won the Blue Cross Bowl MVP (136 yards rushing, 105 passing, 91% completion percentage), Senior Cade Maupin lead the charge for Elizabethton, producing 81 yards on the ground to go alongside two interceptions and two rushing touchdowns.
The Jackets successfully kept the game within two scores throughout the first half. A Cale Jones blocked kick and a missed field goal from kicker Jaxton Holly found Springfield behind only 16 points with the second half to play.
Elizabethton’s defense stood strong throughout all four quarters however: outgaining Springfield 175-41 in yardage for the first two quarters, and 339-133 in its entirety. The Jackets were forced to punt on four of the team’s first five drives (the fifth a turnover on downs, a pass play designed for fourth and a short one).
Mistakes ultimately sunk the Jackets, as Kevontez Hudson was forced into a pass-heavy offense early, a look that does not suit Springfield: Hudson would complete a 66 yard throw to Gabe Kelly during the third quarter, but the play exemplified the receiver’s athleticism more than the Junior’s arm strength. Hudson would also muff a punt in the third, bouncing off the chest and into the arms of an Elizabethton defender. Rollins would rush for one of two total touchdowns on the following play.
SHS’ upperclassmen were at a loss for words following the defeat, Junior Gabe Kelly saying on the Cyclones’ offense: “They did the same thing we saw on film; we just didn’t execute. We just keep working hard and listening to our coaches, doing the game plan we have going forward, we’re going to be alright. We’re going to be back next year.”
Linebacker Austin Stiltner thought the same of the team’s expectations at the halftime break: “Going into halftime, I thought we were going to come back, come out hard and just work for it”. Stiltner, one of six graduating seniors on defense, spoke with a tear in his eye knowing that his career athletically has come to an abrupt end.
The elusive state title continues to stifle the Jackets, but a young and playoff experienced team should all but ensure Springfield’s success not only for next season, but for many more to come.
-Blaine Kellar is a Broadcasting and Journalism Intern for Social Dweebs, which has covered Springfield High School Athletics since 2018.
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