Springtown, Decatur write another chapter in intense local football rivalry

Will Lewis was a man divided this week.

He is the president of the Porcupines Booster Club in Springtown, where he and his family have lived for just over a year and where his wife, Robin, is a teacher.

Before that he lived in Decatur — his entire life, cheering for the Eagles. Yep, the biggest rival Springtown has, and vice versa, just 20 miles north.

But when the Porcupines hosted the Eagles on Friday night for the District 5-4A Division I football championship, he was cheering for a Springtown victory. His son, Robert, is a senior defensive lineman, and his daughter, Grace is a junior powerlifter and member of the Lady Pines volleyball team.

He got his wish — Springtown’s offensive thrived as the Porcupines captured a sizable 63-36 victory.

But he was, admittingly, hoping the game was thrilling. After all, he still has family and friends in Decatur — and they reminded him of that leading up to the game.

“My phone’s been blowing up all week,” he said with a chuckle. “Yes, I’m a Porcupine fan now, but a part of my heart will always be in Decatur.”

In fact, he’d be fine if the game turned out like it did in 2024, with the Porcupines winning 41-38 in double overtime at Decatur, the most exciting of the previous 35 matchups. Despite Springtown’s recent wins, the Eagles still lead the all-time series 21-15.

“That game last year was phenomenal,” Lewis said. “I’m glad Springtown won because my son was playing, but it was great to see those Decatur kids compete so hard.”

This is the eighth straight season that the winner of the football game is either district champion or co-champion. To add to the excitement, the Porcupines were playing for their first undefeated regular season since 1988 and for their first back-to-back wins in the series since 1994-95.

Not alone

Lewis isn’t the only person with dual feelings concerning the two teams. Clint Moore and his wife, Renee Gleason, grew up and live in Springtown, and own Pappy Jack’s restaurant, which has locations in both towns.

Moore said he put both Decatur and Springtown helmets on display.

“It’s kind of like Texas-OU,” Moore said. “This is what they work for all year.”

In fact, the game was on TV at both restaurants for the few who couldn’t make it to the stadium.

“I know some of the Decatur players, and I’ll sit down with their parents when they come in. It’s the same in Springtown,” he said.

Moore played football for the Porcupines from 1997-2000. He recalled how intense the rivalry is.

“It’s not only football,” Moore said. “You’ve got baseball, volleyball, anything these two schools compete in together is taken to another level.”

The Decatur location opened just a couple months ago, just in time for this year’s clash.

“We did have to add a touch of black and orange to our Decatur location, somewhat hidden in the bar to bring our Springtown hometown spirit,” Gleason admitted.

They have two sons on the team, Devan and Teagan Hair. Devan is a senior linebacker and Teagan is a junior running back. Another son, Westin Moore, is a junior on the junior varsity, and freshman daughter Bralei Hayes plays volleyball.

Coaching perspectives

Brian Hulett has been the head coach at Springtown for 12 years and Steve Huff is in his fourth season leading Decatur. Like the players and the communities that support them, both coaches fully embrace and look forward to the annual contest.

“It’s good because it is quality competition against someone you are close [in proximity] to, and thus the kids have played against one another for their whole athletic careers and have a familiarity with one another,” Hulett said. “The part about it that is the most enjoyable to me is that the whole community comes together during this time for one event, and that is everyone’s focus.”

Huff said like most high school rivalries, it comes down to community and school pride.

“To be honest, you don’t have to do anything special in this community to get ‘fired up.’ This one runs hot 365 around here,” he said. “This rivalry is something to rally our community throughout the year and show our athletes how much they, and our school, means to our people. This is what high school sports is all about.”

Series history

The teams first played in 1972, with Decatur winning 48-0, the Eagles’ largest margin of victory in the series. They also won the first nine meetings, their longest win streak in the series.

Springtown’s first series win came in 1984, 7-3. The Porcupines then went on to win the next six matchups for their longest win streak in the series.

Springtown’s largest margin of victory came in 1993 (56-7).

Springtown’s latest victory was the 22nd meeting in the same district.

There has been one playoff match between the two in 1989; Springtown won 21-0 in the bi-district round.

Starting in 2004, the two did not play each other until 2012. They have played every year since, with Decatur leading 9-5.

Friends in the end

While they definitely want to defeat each other, whatever the competition, in the end many folks from the two towns are friendly. Being so close together, they’ll often drive to the other to dine out or shop somewhere special.

“The towns are very similar. Both communities are great to live in and are phenomenal in supporting their local schools,” Lewis said. “Robert grew up knowing those kids playing for Decatur, and they’re all still friends.”

Moore noted that it’s not uncommon for some of the students at the two schools to hang out together sometimes. So you might see the orange and black of Pojo in Decatur on occasion and the blue and white of the Eagles in Springtown.

“They don’t want to admit it, but they do,” he said with a smile. “You don’t have to hate each other because you go to different schools.

“I may even bleed a little blue now.”

This story was originally published November 1, 2025 at 11:18 AM.