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| Let the debate begin: Picking Springtown High’s greatest teams in autumn sports Wednesday, July 21, 2010 MARK K. CAMPBELL Identifying the best teams that hit fields and courts through these many years of play in the primary fall high school sports – cross country, volleyball, and football – is not an easy chore.
Arguments can be raised from a variety of angles. Some teams were mighty but had the misfortune to be housed in a very tough district. Others played lights out only to be tripped up thanks to a shocking upset.
Wins and losses don’t always determine which SHS squad was the best ever in its sport – but it goes a long way. Cross country In the late 1980’s-early ‘90’s, the Lady Porcupine cross country teams were remarkably good.
Under coach Terry Bradshaw in 1989, the girls reached the state meet in 3A and finished eighth. And that was just the beginning of a super run all the way through the 90’s. Lady Porcupine teams reached the state cross country meet under coach Kelly Read in ‘91, ‘92, ‘93, ‘94, and ‘95 – five straight years. Springtown finished 7th (‘91), 6th (‘94), 4th (‘92) and took the bronze twice, in 1993 and 1995. But which of those latter two were the best? The ‘93 race was run in poor weather – it was super humid in Georgetown – causing higher times than usual. The battle for the bronze was close, but SHS got it over Muleshoe, 128-135. In ‘95, the weather was cold and windy. Led by freshman Robin Renno’s sixth place finish in 12 minutes, 16 seconds, SHS took third thanks to “The Pack” – a group of girls who ran closely together. The winner: The ‘93 team, the first to win a state track medal. Volleyball Without question, Springtown was a state 3A power in volleyball in the ‘90’s. Entire seasons passed with the Lady Porcupines winning every district match. The elite Springtown teams motored through rivals in the postseason, too. SHS reached the Final Four in Austin five out of six years from 1990-1995, missing only ‘93. The squads in ‘94 and ‘95 lost semi-final matches, to Bellville in the former and Austin Lake Travis in the latter. Three consecutive squads advanced to the gold medal game under coach Gina Young – but Springtown lost them all to Bellville. The ‘92 team got swept in the title match. The 1990 Lady Porcupines made a frenzied comeback in the deciding game – down 1-11 and getting it to 8-11 – but SHS fell in three games. The winner: The 1991 team entered the championship match with a sterling 32-1 record after polishing off Seminole in the semifinals. That left – who else? – Bellville for the title. Springtown lost the first game 11-15 but won the second, a 17-15 thriller. The game that decided everything was tied at 11 as the marathon match dragged on. Finally, Bellville won again, 15-12. To be within four points, 11-11, of a state championship remains as close as SHS volleyball has gotten. Football Plenty of exceptional Porcupine football teams have thrilled fans through the years. The 1989 team advanced to the quarterfinals, winning three playoff games and allowing a mere seven points in district. In 1994, the Porkys finished 10-3-1, playing four postseason clashes by reaching the Region I finals. Other SHS teams advanced through the years, often winning bi-district. One team that didn’t move on – 2006 – shattered almost every Springtown offensive record and was hailed as one of the top O’s in the state. But it really boils down to two SHS teams when it comes to Porcupine greatness – 1988 and 1995. Old-timers say the greatest athlete ever to come out of Springtown was Todd Wageman. He, and an astonishing Porcupine defense, crushed every foe SHS faced in ‘ 88. After edging Gainesville 13-12 to open the season, the Porkys allowed only 13 more points in the next nine regular season games. In bi-district, Vernon fell 21-6 as Wageman rushed for over 100 yards by halftime; however he then suffered back spasms. He missed the Clyde game but SHS won 20-7 thanks to a pair of fourth quarter TDs in the 3A Area round and the Porkys moved to 12-0 for the season. Wageman, a two-way player, was also out for the next game against Denver City. SHS got upset 20-19 in Abilene ending Springtown’s winningest season ever at that time. The ‘95 team improved on the ‘94 squad which was a feat in itself. The year began with two losses then a third in the 4-3A finale at Boyd, 3-0. But in the postseason, the Porkys caught fire. A rally and successful 2-point conversion beat Vernon late, 15-14, and a thrilling, final quarter TD topped Childress 21-20. When SHS crushed Abilene Wylie 58-20, a Region I victory over Ballinger in Brownwood, 28-7 followed, putting Springtown in the football 3A Final Four. At Texas Stadium, the title game was missed by that much when Commerce advanced on penetrations in a 17-all game; SHS had reached its foe’s 26, needing just one penetration, when time ran out. The winner: 1995 – Final Four tops one-loss season. |