SPRING HILL — Coming off of the best season in school history, Springstead looks ready for similar success this year.
In Thursday’s preseason game at Booster Stadium, the Eagles shut out Hudson 20-0 in only two quarters of action.
After forcing a three and out on Hudson’s opening possession, Springstead running back Daniel Wright took the handoff on first down 63 yards for the touchdown. Before halftime, the senior scored twice more, once on a 59-yard run and on a 1-yard plunge with one second remaining in the second quarter.
“I got phenomenal blocking from my (offensive) line,” Wright said. “I’ve always had some shiftiness in my running style, but with some holes, I have a chance to show it off more now.”
Wright finished with nine carries for 143 yards and one reception for 43 yards. If there was an issue for the Eagles, it was that their star back accounted for more than 90 percent of the offensive production. Sophomore tailback Dominique Walker, a transfer from Nature Coast, carried the ball five times for only 3 yards and lost a fumble on his longest run, a 5-yard carry.
The Cobras struggled offensively as well. Fourth-year starting quarterback Joey Caruso went 3-for-8 for only 10 yards, scrambling for much of the evening.
“We really need to work on moving our feet better on the offensive line,” Hudson coach Mark Kantor said. “There’s a reason that Springstead was ranked No. 10 (in the Class 5A Associated press state poll) in the state.”
Billy Werner and Nate Munson, who will combine to replace 1,400-yard rusher Noah Siegrist, had difficulty finding holes as well. The duo ran for a total of 21 yards on nine carries.
Springstead’s vaunted defense was led by linebacker Dylan McLeod, who is making a smooth transition from defensive back. He racked up nine tackles in the first half with a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.