October 16, 2026 (Photo Album) - The Spring Hill Panthers varsity football team proved to be too much for Center at the Roughriders 2026 Homecoming as they took away a 28-21 point win Friday night. With both teams needing a win, the Panthers got to improve their record to 3-3 this season and they start District 8 4A-2 conference play 1-0. The Riders are 0-6 this season and 0-1 in District 8 action.
On the opening drive of the game, Spring Hill’s Asher Young busts loose for an 80-yard touchdown run. The late flag on the play for unsportsmanlike conduct on both sides offset each other, Panthers took the early lead 7-0. The Riders started their first drive midfield; the offensive line pushed their way down the field, eventually getting in for the touchdown and tying the game. Neither team scored the remainder of the quarter.
Gage Vidrine recovered a fumble on the punt recovery, positioning them at Spring Hill’s 25-yard line. QB Easton Wulf beared down and made his way through the Panther defense line to put them at first and goal. Wulf connected with Jojo Mitchell for the TD, the Riders had a first half lead 14-7. On the Panther’s following drive, Cason Copeland flew through the Rider defense to tie the game with 5:42 left in the half. Easton Wulf and Zy Villegas made back-to-back first downs, but couldn’t find their way back into the endzone. On a turnover on 4th down, the Panthers had a first down at their own 35-yard line. #6, Asher Young gets his second touchdown of the night, putting the Panthers back on top 21-14 with less than a minute in the half. At 3rd & 10 and at their own 40-yard line, Easton Wulf finds Vidrine in the red zone to place them at the 15-yard line. Christyce Barnes swept around the side and into the end zone for a Roughrider touchdown, tying the game with 0:07 seconds to go in the half.
The Riders started the second half with the ball. At 4th and 4 on Spring Hill’s 43-yard line, E. Wulf hands the ball off to Villegas for roughly a 30 yard gain. Now in the red zone on 3rd down, the Panther defense put serious pressure on the QB, forcing him to run back and eventually throw an indirect interception. Center’s Barnes got revenge by intercepting Brody Proctor’s pass, but back-to-back penalties against the Riders placed them on their own 25-yard line. Spring Hill’s defense read the offensive play easily and Cason Copeland scored on a strip-six with 7:00 minutes remaining in the 3rd; Spring Hill ahead 28-21.
Now with Easton Wulf at tailback and Jojo Mitchell at quarterback, the Riders inched down the field but could not break through the Panther defensive line who forced a turnover on 4th down. The Riders managed to keep Spring Hill from scoring the remainder of the quarter. After a devastatingly effective punt, the Riders start the 4th quarter deep in their own territory. Back at the quarterback position, Easton Wulf did all he could to run the ball, but could not gain the yardage needed. Neither team found the opportunity to score the rest of the game; Spring Hill beat Center 28-21.
The Riders are now 0-6 for the season and 0-1 in District 8 4A-2 play. They will face Pleasant Grove on Friday, October 16th for a 7pm. kickoff in Texarkana. The Hawks are 5-1 this season but suffered their first loss against Gilmer on Friday by a 33-27 score.
