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“They were on a mission.” That’s how AHS head coach Eddie Paul recalled the Hornets’ 26-24 victory over visiting Springtown, a game that not only ended a five-game losing streak to the 6-4A archrivals but dashed any Porcupine postseason hopes.
The stands were full as usual on a cool Oct. 30. Right off the bat, Azle drove for points after the AHS defense forced a punt that was partially blocked. The drive featured something fans would see all night – a bulldozing Jordan Beall. The senior, who piled up 125 yards by halftime, refused to be tackled by a single Porcupine.
On the first drive, he carried five times in a row, moving the ball to the SHS 14. Eventually, Curtis Hamilton kicked the first of two field goals, this one 34 yards. The Porkys went up 6-3 on a TD, but Hornet Trent Knight blocked the PAT and fans buzzed to an exciting return to near midfield. Springtown “was chasing that extra point all night,” SHS coach Brad Turner said. Focusing on Beall late in the first quarter hurt Springtown because Beall got the ball to Anthony Roquemore on a reverse and the wide out raced 49 yards with the ball. Eventually Bo Wyble bulled over and AHS led, 10-6.
However, the Porcupines answered again on a short run by QB Caden Cowan and the half ended with the visitors up, 12-10. Only an interception in the end zone with seven seconds left kept Azle from scoring again. In the first third quarter drive, AHS QB Andrew Schroeder hit Nathaniel Shaffer on a key third down pass. Hamilton eventually booted a 36-yard field goal to move Azle ahead, 13-12. Once again, the Porcupines scored quickly, this time on a bomb. But Azle stopped the PAT “Wildpine” direct snap to SHS star Clayton Cooper and Springtown led only 18-13. The Hornets gained the lead for good as the third quarter wound down. Beall ran four straight times for 2, 14, 12, and 4 yards, then, on the first play of the fourth quarter, he bolted in from the 21-yard line. A 2-point conversion pass went incomplete and Azle led 19-18. After the AHS defense stopped the Porkys, Beall began to terrorize the visitors again. One run was 53 yards followed by a 12-yard jaunt by Keith Kearney. Beall scored and Hamilton kicked AHS to a 26-18 lead with 5:02 left. Springtown mounted a 13-play drive that scored with 55 seconds left. A two-point conversion would tie the game, but, after a timeout, Azle stopped a rush by SHS QB Cowan. A last ditch onsides kick popped free, but Hornet Josh Townsend got there first and Azle ran out the clock. Then pandemonium reigned on the soggy field. The Hornets had won. |
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