BY NOLAN RUTH
X – @RealNolanRuth
SPRINGTOWN – The beginning of the 2024 high school football season reached its next stage on Thursday as teams across the state faced off with different schools for the first time in the first week of scrimmages. This was the case in northern Parker County where the Springtown Porcupines hosted the Brock Eagles.
Springtown is coming off a year where it reached the regional semifinals before falling to Brownwood. The Porcupines lost a lot to graduation in the offseason, so a lot of players were getting their unofficial first varsity action. Both their quarterback Hayden Nichols and running back Darren Sweely stepped into new roles, as both played primarily defense in 2023.
The same could be said for Brock, which only returned six total starters from a team that fell just short in the semifinals to eventual state champion Malakoff. However, that was at the 3A level. The Eagles now find themselves in class 4A Division 2. Though they have scrimmaged Springtown the last two years, the eyes and pressure are on Brock to up its game for the tougher level, especially against a solid 4A Division 1 program in Springtown.
“It’s a group that’s saying ‘Hey, it’s our turn now.’” said Eagles head coach Billy Mathis. “There are things we’ve got to get better on…but our effort was great. We bent at times but we didn’t break, and we had some really big plays. We had some good drives established, so we’ll go get a few of those things fixed up and we’re going to be just fine.”
*It is worth noting that Brock was without one of their returning starters due to what was described a pulled hamstring*
Brock started off the scrimmage with a 10 minute offensive session that could have gone much better for the reigning semifinalist. On the very first snap of the “contest” a high snap caused quarterback Brody Woods to have to make a rushed pass that ended up being intercepted. The teams restarted, as custom for the beginning session of scrimmages.
The Eagles ultimately turned it over twice in the opening session, with the Porcupine rush being a big problem, sacking Woods multiple times.
Brock ended up making it across midfield towards the end, but ultimately stalled.
Springtown took over with an almost brand new offense taking the field from 2023. The Porcupines proceeded to go on a very long drive that took the entire 10 minutes, but they were unable to find the end zone, fumbling inside the 20 yard line on the final play with Brock recovering.
The backups took the field for the next two sessions before the starters came back out for one last session. The Eagles went on a long drive that took the entire 10 minutes, and they converted on fourth down twice. It was then that Brock was first to score with a 20-yard touchdown keeper by Woods on the final play of the drive.
Springtown’s offense came back out and had a drive that went similar to its first, quickly making it to the Eagles’ 23 yard line. However, back-to-back false start penalties on first down backed up the Porcupines to the 33. From there, they could’t get any closer as the drive ultimately stalled and ended with a turnover on downs.
The back-ups took the field once again before a live 12-minute period to end the scrimmage. The live portion started off in a unique way. Instead of a coin-toss, one player from each team came out and participated in a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors to decide who got the ball first. Brock won and proceeded to start on offense.
The start of the live portion was very inauspicious. The Eagles quickly went three-and-out and were forced to punt. Then on the first play of the ensuing drive, the Brock defense committed a personal foul that gave Springtown a free 15 yards. However the Porcupines were not able to capitalize and had to punt themselves.
The Eagles got the ball back, but just like their defense had done all day, they held Springtown when it mattered and forced another turnover-on-downs. After working the offense to its own 45-yard line, Brody Woods connected with Jesse Rusinek on a short hitch route. Rusinek spun through the defense and raced to paydirt untouched to give Brock an unofficial 7-0 lead after the extra point was successful.
Springtown had one last drive to finish off the scrimmage, but could only gain five yards before having to punt once again.
The event ended just over a minute later with Brock already threatening in Porcupine territory.
Brock took the timed portion with an unofficial final score of 7-0. The Eagles will have another big test next week when they host the Stephenville Yellowjackets for their second scrimmage. Springtown will travel west to Mineral Wells next week to face Brock’s district rival before the season officially begins during the week of Aug. 29.
