By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
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After two years of walking through a very easy district just to get thrown to the wolves in the playoffs, the Springtown Porcupines have gotten the script completely flipped. While never being separated from arch-rival Decatur, the last realignment cycle did little to help Brian Hulett’s squad prepare for the post season. However the Porcupines proved to be good enough to compete with those in Region II, which is usually unfamiliar territory come November.
Now, the tables have turned. Springtown is back in Region I, along with Decatur. However, some teams that are typically Region II will make the trip with them into one large and very talented district. On top of that, the Porcupines have pretty quietly built one of the best teams in the state of Texas.
Back to back district titles for the first time since the 80’s have Springtown feeling good, and with good reason. Kaine Hill returns for his third year as quarterback after throwing for 2,664 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2025, bringing his career totals to 5,011 yards and 65 touchdowns, with just 8 career interceptions. He also proved his versatility by rushing for 606 yards on 82 carries for 16 touchdowns.
Hill will be joined in the backfield by senior running back Teagan Hair who, despite not being the number one back from a year ago, rushed for 548 yards on 65 carries and 6 touchdowns. He will take over the reins in the backfield while Pilot Grubis will become the number one receiver after accounting for 577 yards on 33 receptions and 10 touchdowns as a junior in 2025.
The Porcupines should be very solid up front with Trent Owens, Konner Admire, Jaden Ingram all returning to anchor the offense. The tight end duo of Hayden Murrell and Kane Grubbs will help lock it down as well as being strong forces in the passing game.
Defensively, this could be the strongest team Springtown has had, probably ever. The core of this defensive side will be with three linebackers that make up arguably the best linebacker corps in the state of Texas. Rome Ewell is the leader, after recording 148 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. The Arizona-commit will be looked upon as the leader of a defense that returns six total starters. Kasen Beaman is expected to have just as good of a year after he recorded 108 tackles and 7 sacks as a junior. Luis Lazcano rounds out the linebacker corps being known as a creator of turnovers and the team leader in sacks. In 2025 he made 106 tackles, 11 TFL, 10 sacks, forced three fumbles and recovered two.
In the defensive front, Justin Bontrager is back as end rusher, alongside sophomore Blaze Baker, who Hulett has high expectations for. In the secondary, interception leader Omar Hernandez returns at cornerback with Aiden Adams locking down the deep ball at safety.
A year ago, this defense was definitely susceptible to giving up points. However, that may not be the case this season. This defense is loaded with talent and should be very hard to score against. For a team that already proved it could score with almost anyone, an improved defense may be the piece that turns a great regular-season program into a legitimate state-title contender.
One last name to file away is Jett Bryant, whom Hulett has mentioned and listed as an “athlete” without a specific position. This makes him an interesting wildcard for Porcupines.
Schedule & Analysis
at Brock
vs Robinson
at Brownwood
vs Lake Dallas
at Aubrey
vs Godley
at Castleberry
vs Alvarado
vs Decatur
at Carrollton Ranchview
Floor: 6-4, 4-seed
As talented as this team is, this is a very difficult district. Starting the season with Brock is a tough enough start, and I think that game is very underrated across the state in week one. It could go either way. Then after rounding out non-district play with Robinson and Brownwood, who are both good but not quite on the same level, district play opens up with Lake Dallas who has improved but still will likely be a win. Aubrey is the first district opponent that I worry about. They are coming off of a down year but bring back 10 on offense and 9 on defense. Then there are back-to-back weeks with Alvarado, who knocked out Springtown last year, and Decatur in the Fight on 51. Decatur especially looks better than ever despite a coaching change. It is very possible that one wrong slip up keeps the Porcupines out of the playoffs, but I just do not see it.
Ceiling: 10-0, District Champions
Throughout Hulett’s time in north Parker County, this program has sneakily become among the best in class 4A. Coming off of an undefeated regular season a year ago, and making it three rounds deep in a very tough region, the expectation has not changed. There is nobody on this schedule that the Porcupines should not be able to defeat. If all of the cards are dealt right, and things come together, this could very well be a state championship team this year. The road is tough, but this is an experienced roster and coaching staff that is up to the task.
Nolan’s Prediction: 10-0, District Champions
For the second year in a row, I think Springtown will reach the ceiling. For purposes of this article, I definitely believe a 10-0 regular season is what we will witness. I made this exact prediction in 2025 while still believing that the Porcupines were a year early. They proved me right. Despite the district changes, I fully expect this team to run the table and win the region. Of all of my Parker County teams, Springtown has the best chance to make it to Arlington in December. From there, it comes down to knocking off state champion Stephenville.
