The Springtown Porcupines have been on the rise in recent seasons and are looking to carry that momentum into a deeper playoff run in 2025. A big part of their success has come from a tough pre-district schedule, which helps sharpen the team for the challenges of district play and the postseason. That approach remains in place this year, as Springtown is set to face a highly competitive slate, including a rematch with 5A opponent Joshua, who beat them out in a nailbiter to open last season, along with strong 4A Division 2 programs like Graham, China Spring, and Kennedale.
Leading the offense is junior quarterback Kaine Hill, who had a strong campaign last year and is expected to take another step forward. Head coach Brian Hulett noted, “We will lean on him particularly early as we go through a long, tough district schedule.” While the offensive line will feature several new faces, Hill will have no shortage of skill players at his disposal. Key returning weapons include seniors Ryan Kirk (RB) and Karson Ferguson (WR), as well as Junior wideouts Hayden Murrell and Pilot Grubis.
Defensively, the Porcupines bring back valuable experience, especially on the defensive line and in the secondary. However, depth remains a concern, and the coaching staff will be looking to plug in new contributors to keep the defense fresh throughout the season. One name to watch is senior safety Riley Jackson, who earned District Utility Player of the Year honors last season and will be a leader on the back end.
Springtown certainly has the talent, as reflected by last year’s impressive numbers, averaging 42.8 points per game while allowing just 16. As they push to get over the playoff hump, attention to the smallest details will be key. In each of their last two postseason exits, the Porcupines never held a lead in the fourth quarter. A faster start in playoff games could be the spark this team needs to finally break through.