Published: August 29, 2006 12:13 pm            

Hill, Owens loom in Springtown secondary

With a new coaching staff and a new season comes new expectations. For Danny Hill, Al Owens and the rest of the Springtown Porcupines defense, those expectations are high.

“There are a lot of expectations this year because we have a lot of players returning that we didn’t have last year like Chip Lynn,” Hill said. “He was a big part of our defense that we didn’t have last year, so we’re happy to have him back.

“We want to break records, and like coach says, make a lot of memories. There are a lot of seniors on our defense this year that won’t be here next year, so we want to make the best of it.”

Hill and Owens are two players that could potentially dominate opposing offenses from their positions in the defensive secondary. Hill, a former linebacker, is a 6-2, 190-pound senior with a 40 time of 4.6. Owens, just a junior, is almost an exact replica of Hill at 6-2, 185 pounds and a 40 time of 4.4.

Springtown head coach Brad Turner said he is looking for big plays from both players in 2006.

Owens said he knows he won’t be given any special care just because he is a junior. He added that he hopes to follow the lead of the Porcupines seniors and contribute to the defensive success.

“I think they’re going to expect me to have a good year this year and I am just going to try and keep up with these guys,” Owens said.

Hill said the coaching change has brought a new philosophy to Springtown and a new level of intensity, which has paid dividends in preseason practice.

“The intensity level is a lot higher than it was last year,” Hill said. “We have all new coaches and we have a whole new defense we are running. [Quarterback] Logan Turner, the way he put it, he’s pretty stoked about it. We’re looking forward to it.

“With Al by my side, it’s pretty good. It’s always good to know that in case you mess up, there is somebody there.”

Owens said the new system has not been easy to learn, but he feels the time spent at practice and in film room is allowing the information to sink in.

“Learning the new stuff has been kind of difficult, but I think we are starting to get it down,” Owens said.

Hill said he thinks the closeness of the defense will make the difference this season.

“It’s like a family,” Hill said. “We love each other off and on the field. If someone makes a bad play, we pat them on the back and tell them to get them next time. We are always there to back them up just in case.”

Owens is eager to get the season started because he wants to get into district play. The Porcupines will get to see where they stand in the district as soon as it opens as they begin their trek to the playoffs with Keller Fossil Ridge, which is expected to win District 6-4A.

“I’m kind of looking forward to playing Fossil Ridge because they’re supposed to be the top in our district, so I want to see if we can beat them,” Owens said.

Hill said he is looking forward to Fossil Ridge as well, but added another game that will have significant meaning to him.

“I’m looking forward to Fossil Ridge, too, but especially Birdville,” Hill said. “That’s where I came from and I have a lot of friends there that are talking down on Springtown, but we beat them last year and hopefully, we can beat them again this year.”

        

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