AUBREY CHAPARRALS
Fresh off their first win of the season, the 1-3 Aubrey Chaparrals return home for their second district matchup to face the 1-3 Springtown Porcupines on Friday.
The Porcupines should be in a prickly mood coming into the contest after a last-second loss to the Lake Dallas Falcons, 22-21, in their district opener Sept. 25.
“Big, athletic, strong and fast are just a few words to describe them,” said Keith Ivy, Aubrey athletic director and head football coach. “… Springtown’s had a great football program for years now, and they’re typically in the Top 10 or Top 15 in the state. Their kids are tough, and they play a hardnosed brand of football, so we know they are going to get after it.”
Ivy added that Springtown may roll into Chaparral Memorial Stadium with an extra.
“They had a 28-yard field goal that would have won it against Lake Dallas, and they missed it, so their back is against the wall at 0-1,” he said. “We know they’re going to come into town extremely motivated and that we’re going to get their best shot.”
Springtown’s offense is led by field general Kaine Hill, who leads the team in passing with 705 yards and 4 touchdowns and rushing with 329 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Hill is joined by running back duo Jett Bryant and Teagan Hair, who have combined for over 400 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground.
“They have one of the best offensive lines we’ve seen all year, and they have good skill players everywhere,” Ivy said. “… They’re similar to us, and they like to rotate their running backs to keep them fresh, and their quarterback is deceptively good. He’s not the biggest kid, but he’s quick and a good runner and passer.”
Aubrey held Castleberry under 50 yards of total offense in Week 5, and Ivy said he hopes the unit continues to take steps forward.
“We’re going to have to be dominant up front defensively with the offensive line that they have,” he said. “… We need to keep their offensive linemen off of our linebackers and safeties and give them the space to scrape over and make tackles, and we’re going to have to stay focused when they take shots in the passing game.”
Offensively, the Chaps found their footing in Week 5, scoring four touchdowns in the first quarter, and will look to keep rolling against a Springtown defense led by linebacker duo Rome Ewell and Kasen Beaman, who have combined for 81 total tackles.
“We didn’t have any turnovers last week, and I thought that was key,” Ivy said. “… The more we can stick to our game plan, sustain drives, and not get behind the chains due to a negative play or penalty, it’ll give us the opportunity to have some success in this game. We don’t have to play perfect to win this game, but we’re going to have to play the best we have all year to beat this team.”
Aubrey and Springtown are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. Friday at Chaparral Memorial Stadium.
