Spring Hill falls to Summit in 2013 home opener

Williamson County Football
By: David Wells

Spring Hill High School (0-1) rushed for 111 yards and scored one touchdown in a 28-6 season-opening loss to Summit High School (1-0) Friday night.

Spring Hill coach Tom Turchetta said that the loss confirmed his assessment of the progress the Raiders have to make to return to playoff contention.

“When you’re trying to turn a program around, it takes time; it’s a process,” he said. “These kids have come 10 million miles, and we’re 10 million miles away.”

With the exception of a third-quarter touchdown by junior quarterback J.C. Dryden, it was all Dee Hunter from the start of the game, and even Dryden’s touchdown came on the heels of a 50-yard Hunter run.

After forcing a Spring Hill three-and-out in the first quarter, Hunter set up his own touchdown run with a 54-yard punt return, along with a Raiders horse collar penalty that put Hunter and the Spartans at the 4.

With about seven minutes to play in the second, Cameron Sheffield blocked Drew Gorman’s punt, giving the Spartans a first-and-goal at the Spring Hill 7. Hunter ran it in two plays later to give Summit 14-0.

Hunter scored his third touchdown, a 15-yard run, with 10:25 left in the fourth.

This marks the second straight year the Spartans have begun their season 1-0; however, Keasler said that fans should not overemphasize it.

“It means we’re 1-0, and now it’s time to move on to Page High School,” he said.

Spring Hill avoided the shutout on the last play of the game, a 1-yard run by backup quarterback Tylin Oden. Oden rushed four times for -12 yards.

The Raiders were in the two-minute drill near the end of the first half. Beginning at their own 20, Gorman threw a 15-yard pass to Daniel Johnson on the first play, a 12-yard pass Noah Williams and a 7-ard pas to Nakedron Oden, bringing them to the Summit 46.

But a false start penalty and an incomplete pass stopped the drive and potential momentum, leaving the halftime score at 14-0.

The Raiders return to action Thursday at home against Mt. Pleasant.