By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
GUNTERSVILLE – After a day of celebration and unity in the community of Springville, the 5-5 Tigers took to the road to take on the Guntersville Wildcats (9-1) in the first round of the 5A state playoffs in a game that many thought the Tigers had a chance at winning, despite being the lower seed. On this night, the Guntersville Tigers used suffocating, disciplined defense and a two-headed monster at running back to defeat the hopeful Tigers by a score of 31-7.
Senior defenders Kayden Hanrahan (35) and Cole Tittle (22) during Springville’s 31-7 loss to Guntersville in the first round of the playoffs November 10, 2023.
Photo by: Johnny Sanders
Springville started with the ball but they were unable to do anything with it and, after a three-and-out, they were forced to punt the ball. Despite having a great season at punter, Noel Cox shanked this first punt of the game and Guntersville set up shop just 36 yards away from paydirt. On a second and goal from the three, the Wildcats’ running back Julyon Jordan found that paydirt and put Guntersville up 7-0 with 7:56 to play in the opening period.
Springville would find a little traction on the next drive, but still wound up punting, this time Cox boomed it to the Guntersville 22. The Wildcats would drive, but they gave the ball back to Springville on an errant pitch from quarterback Eli Morrison that hit the ground and was pounced on by junior defensive end Cooper Tibbs to give the Tigers the ball at the 41-yardline.
The second quarter would start with Springville having the ball on a third and long but they could not convert. Cox would boon another punt, this time pinning the Wildcats at their own 10-yard line. Guntersville would continue to pound the ball down the field with Jordan and fellow running back Enelson Delva with the latter finding the end zone on a second and goal from the one-yard line. With 5:47 to go before the break, the Wildcats held a 14-0 lead over Springville.
After gaining a first down on a six-yard run from Mahlon Alverson, Jake Conner would drop back for his first of two passes on the game, looking for Noel Cox, but a Guntersville defender would pick the ball off and set the Wildcats up at their own 46. From there, Jordan would pick up his second touchdown of the night with a 54-yard burst up the middle to make it 21-0 at the 3:27 mark of the second.
With 22 seconds to go before the break, the Wildcats added a field goal to make it 24-0 heading into the locker room.
Guntersville would get the ball to start the third quarter and quickly score again. Springville would get the ball back, but still would not be able to do anything with it. On the next drive, Kayden Hanrahan, Cole Tittle, and the Tiger defense held Guntersville to their only punt of the night, pinning Springville at their own 15-yard line. From there, the bright spot of the night would come. Jake Conner would throw an 85-yard bomb to Noel Cox to prevent the shutout and prove that, no matter the score, this Springville Tiger team will never quit.
The final would be 31-7 with Guntersville advancing and Springville playing their final game of the 2023 season.
Senior running back/safety/punter Noel Cox, with tears streaming down his face, had the following to say, “It’s awesome that we made it this far. I wouldn’t want to do it with another group of guys. I’m glad we kept on fighting until the end of the game. I’m just grateful to God that I got to do it and I’m thankful for Coach Clements for sticking with us and believing in us and for all of the fans believing in us.”
Springville Coach Jon Clements said, “It didn’t end how we wanted it to, but it kind of did. We accomplished something…these kids and this community accomplished something here this year that hadn’t been done in 15 years. So, it didn’t end how we wanted it to, but we got here. That’s a big step. This is something that, now in the offseason, you work for and for this moment. You know what this moment feels like now and you work to get past it.”
Speaking of his seniors, Clements said, “It’s going to be hard replacing number 8, number 6, number 5, number 66, number 22, number 35 and number 54. It’s tough. But I think our kids accomplished something they should be proud of.”
The Springville faithful came out on this night and supported their team and Clements was very thankful. “I can’t thank our fans enough. They are incredible. All day they supported our kids and that’s a special thing. Our kids will always be able to look at this and know they had people behind them. That’s something I’m really proud of.”
“I want to thank my staff. I can’t thank Matt Partridge enough, but all of them. They were all outstanding and bought into what we are doing. I appreciate Dr. Moore for giving us the opportunity to do it.”
The Tigers finish the season 5-6.
