Springtown topples Frisco Panther Creek in area round to stay undefeated

The Springtown Porcupines were led by running back Jon Lardizabal’s 272 yards and five touchdowns in their area playoff win against Frisco Panther Creek on Friday at Birdville FA/AC.

The Porcupines (12-0) won the high-scoring game 49-41, but had to make up a 14-point deficit in the second quarter before taking control in the third quarter. The Panthers’ three touchdowns in the fourth quarter were the only reason the final ended up being as close as it was.

Frisco Panther Creek got on the board first on its opening drive, methodically going down the field with short passes and runs with little trouble despite missing starting running back Donovan Webb due to injury. Quarterback Graylyn Fry dropped back and got a great one-handed catch from star receiver Jalen Lott on a 3-yard fade route. The Panthers led 7-0.

The Porcupines had a long first drive that took up more than eight minutes leaning on their run game, but ended up missing a 35-yard field goal as the game moved to the second quarter.

The Panthers had a scare on their second drive. Fry limped off the field after suffering a sack that led to a punt. Springtown tied the game in response when Lardizabal broke through for a 44-yard touchdown run.

Frisco Panther Creek welcomed Fry back on its next drive, but the team leaned on backup running back Shawn White, who scored on a 24-yard run up the middle.

The Panthers’ defense then stepped up, forcing a three-and-out. The Porcupines looked like they were trying to run a fake punt, but the punter at the last minute tried to kick it as he was getting tackled, and the result was a 2-yard punt.

With the shortened field, Frisco Panther Creek easily drove down and scored as White had a short run to put the Panthers up 21-7.

Springtown desperately needed to score before halftime since it was receiving the ball to start the second half. The Porcupines got a big boost with a 52-yard run from Lardizabal. He eventually scored from the 1-yard line to cut the score to 21-14.

With 1:54 left to play, Springtown took a gamble and went for an onside kick. It paid off as it was recovered by Caymon Watson. The Porcupines were able to tie it up as quarterback Kaine Hill found receiver Karson Ferguson wide open for a 7-yard touchdown catch.

Springtown had tied the score at 21-21 heading into halftime and would keep it up for the rest of the game.

The Porcupines got the ball to start the third quarter. On the first offensive play, receiver Christian Mendoza took an end-around pass 87 yards down the right side for a touchdown, giving Springtown its first lead of the game.

The Porcupines then forced turnover on defense. On a deep pass, the ball was deflected and then intercepted by Aiden Adams.

Springtown followed it up with a 97-yard touchdown drive that took nearly seven minutes off the clock. Lardizabal scored on a short run, but the key play was a 43-yard pass to Mendoza that put the ball in the red zone.

The Porcupines were in full control heading into the fourth quarter up 35-21.

Early in the final period, after forcing a punt, Springtown scored quickly when Lardizabal scampered through for 20 yards into the end zone. The Porcupines led 42-21, opening up the biggest lead of the game.

Frisco Panther Creek’s offense had not been able to get in rhythm, but down three touchdowns the Panthers picked up the urgency and started throwing the ball around the way they had all season.

Fry started looking for Parker Ord over and over, the two eventually connecting on a 20-yard touchdown pass. Springtown scored again, with Lardizabal finding the end zone on a short run, his fifth of the night.

With time running out, Frisco Panther Creek scored twice more, with Fry connecting with White on an 11-yard pass and receiver Logan Menudiado on a 15-yard pass on the final play of the game.

Lardizabal led the team with 272 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Hill finished with 242 yards passing and two touchdowns while adding 61 yards rushing. Ferguson led the team with eight catches for 64 yards, but big-play receiver Mendoza finished with 150 yards on five catches. Both caught one touchdown.

Coach Brian Hulett was proud of how his team responded after being down two scores, rarely facing much adversity on the field this season.

“I harped on it all week. It’s different when you play some of these top teams,” Hulett said. “We had a few that weren’t ready for it and we just didn’t think we played well. We just hung in there and got to half and talked about it. The kids felt like we were better, and I said let’s go play.”

Springtown’s magical season continues into the third round of the playoffs next week, taking on a fellow undefeated team in Alvarado, coming off a one-score win against Sulphur Springs on Friday night, that will give the Porcupines an even bigger test.

The Panthers had Fry finish with 260 yards passing and four touchdowns. Both Ord and Lott finished with 12 catches and a touchdown apiece, with Ord totaling 138 yards and Lott finishing with 79. Despite missing Webb, White stepped in and finished with 97 yards and two touchdowns to give the team a good running attack.

For Coach Clint Surratt, he is most proud of his seniors, the first his staff has shepherded through the program during a run of success.

“This is a group that in the past three years has won 30 games, it’s pretty special,” Surratt said. “I’m going to remember their resiliency. I’m thankful for the culture they left behind. It’s a stepping stone for this program.”