Springtown eliminates Riverside from Class 4A Division I football playoffs
MIDLAND — Riverside's successful football season came to end Saturday afternoon against Springtown in the Class 4A Division I regional semifinals.
The Porcupines (10-3) never trailed and ended the Rangers season with an 40-14 win at Grande Communication Stadium. Riverside's season ends with an 11-2 record under third-year coach Gary Recoder. The Rangers were playing in the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Springtown will play Wichita Falls Hirschi, Hirschi defeated Dumas on Friday. The Porcupines are 2-0 against El Paso area teams in the playoffs. In 2019, they defeated Clint in the area round.
Porcupines efficient in first half
Springtown quarterback Hudson Hulett scored two touchdowns on runs of 5 and 10 yards and connected with Aiden Vickers on an 80-yard touchdown pass to give the Porcupines a 21-7 halftime lead. The last scoring drive came after Springtown began at its own 2-yard line.
Porcupines running back Matthew Lockard had 61 yards rushing in the first half to lead the rushing attack.
Riverside misses big opportunity
The Rangers missed a chance to cut the first half lead to 21-14 when quarterback Angel Munoz was stopped at the 2-yard line as time expired on a first down play. The Rangers decided to go for the score instead of trying a field goal.
On the same drive, a Munoz touchdown pass to Frank Luna was called back due to an illegal motion penalty.
Running back Jose Guardado scored Riverside's lone touchdown in the first half on a 13-yard run early in the second quarter. The touchdown run capped an eight-play, 60-yard drive. Guardado also had an 11-yard run on the scoring drive and Munoz ran for 18. Munoz finished with 67 yards in the first half.
Springtown puts game away in third
The Porcupines put the game away in the third quarter with two scores. Vickers caught a 31-yard TD pass from Hulett and Lockard scored on a Lockard two-yard touchdown run.
Estrada with TD run
Riverside's Adrian Estrada scored a fourth quarter touchdown for the Rangers on a three-yard run to cap a 60-yard drive. He came in at quarterback to replace Munoz, who left the game with an injury to his hip.
Quoting the coach
"This is a special team," Recoder said. "We accomplished a great deal. We came a long way this season. We'll continue to build the program and I'm grateful to coach this team. This team played well together, we set the tone for the future."
Quoting the players
"I think we proved a lot of things to El Paso this year," Munoz said. "We were one of the last teams remaining. We did a lot growing this season."
Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Springtown eliminates Riverside from high school football playoffs
