With the home field advantage and the defending 5A champion L.C. Bird Skyhawks in their house, the opportunity was there. But the Springers saw it slip away in the final minute. Disappointment fueled the offseason, with the returning players ready to climb that mountain again.
The first step onto that mountain didn't go as planned, as Hermitage took an opening night victory. But that would be the only time Highland Springs experienced defeat in 2015. They rolled through the rest of the regular season, and, thanks to a monster schedule of highly rated Capital District teams like Lee-Davis, Hanover and Atlee, the Springers took the top seed in 5A South.
The postseason road began receiving the best shots from Meadowbrook and Lee-Davis, the latter putting a scare into the Springers. Then came Hermitage once again on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Highland Springs built a big lead, watched the Panthers tie it late, before, arguably, the biggest drive in Springer history won the game and a berth in the 5A State Semifinals.
CLICK HERE to read our article from the game.
The state tournament level belonged to the Springers, vanquishing Indian River before shutting down Stone Bridge at the University of Virginia to claim Highland Springs' first-ever "on-the-field" championship (the Springers were awarded the 1961 title after the season).
Many teams talk about being a family. For head coach Loren Johnson and his staff and players, it goes well beyond talk. The 2015 Springers were a family like no other, relying on each other on and off the field. Anyone who spent any significant time with this team could immediately feel it. And when the moment finally came, and the Springers came off the field at Scott Stadium and began to soak in their championship, you could see the enormity hit player after player.
RVA Sports Network salutes the 2015 5A State Football Champion Highland Springs Springers, our #2 Team of 2015-16.
CLICK HERE for photos from and our story on the 2015 5A Championship Game.
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