Coming off a 6-4 campaign in 2024 that ended with a first-round playoff loss to Don Bosco, the 2025 edition of the Orioles has the potential to match or even surpass the 11-1 finish posted by the 2013 team
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Editor’s note: First in a class-by-class preview heading into the high school football season
SPRINGVILLE — Joe Martin believes each one of his Springville football teams has been different.
"I try to never compare teams in the past with teams that we currently have but this team reminds me a lot of the teams we had in 2012 and 2013," he said.
The veteran Springville coach, beginning his 15th season coaching Oriole football, is in an enviable position as the team prepares for Friday's Week 0 opener at home against Iowa Valley.
Springville added the game contest after Lone Tree canceled its program last week. Iowa Valley was on the Lone Tree schedule and needed an opponent so the Orioles were allowed to add the extra game.
Having limited practice time before the opener is always a concern, but Springville is in a better position than most teams to handle the schedule adjustment. The Orioles return all but one starter from the 2024 team and are favored to win the 8-player, District 4 title.
Coming off a 6-4 campaign in 2024 that ended with a first-round playoff loss to Don Bosco, the 2025 edition of the Orioles has the potential to match or even surpass the 11-1 finish posted by the 2013 team.
"Those teams had a lot of upperclassmen and depth that allowed us to have a lot of experience in multiple positions," Martin said of the past Springville teams. "(Having so many returners) does allow us to get more advanced in fall camp and work on some other things that can help us in tougher games."
Versatility is a vital part of having a successful 8-player team as players are placed in multiple positions. Springville is blessed to have many who fit that mold, led by senior Mason Hoy, who rushed for 1,277 yards, scored 18 touchdowns and led the team with four interceptions.
"Mason is a very talented player and will be a three-year starter for us this coming season," Martin said. "He has the ability to create a lot of plays, even when the play breaks down. He is very versatile on both sides of the ball which makes it tough for teams to prepare exactly how he will get the ball."
The Orioles were a run-heavy team in 2024. They ran for 2,587 yards while passing for just 628.
"I would love to stay as much 50-50 with run and pass but that sometimes does not work out as planned," Martin said. "We have the ability to do both but we feel if it isn't broken, why fix it.
"We have several different guys who can do multiple things with the ball so it makes defenses have to prepare for more things. It also allows for us to stay fresh on both sides of the ball throughout a game."
Senior Luke Lansing was a third-team all-state selection last season. He rushed for 502 yards on offense and was a force on defense with 77 tackles, including 10 sacks and 24 tackles for loss overall. Fellow seniors Braden Jordan (388 yards rushing, 78 tackles) and Conlin Rouse (nine receptions, 253 yards, six TDs and 66 tackles) also are back.
Jordan and senior Oliver Longerbeam both saw action at quarterback last season.
"Luke, Braden and Conlin are what makes our defense so effective," Martin said. "Those three along with Isaac Hill (eight sacks), Mason Hoy, and Jace March all return from our starting defense last year. They can line them up in multiple spots to make teams have to prepare for multiple defenses, just like you would for offenses."
March and Longerbeam both had three interceptions.
Martin said his team is "undersized" which makes the versatility of his players even more important.
"We will have over a dozen seniors and over half a dozen juniors that have played the past two or three years for our varsity team in some capacity," he said. "I feel that allows us to have some flexibility when injuries occur. We have a lot of different guys who can help if they are called upon."
The schedule was challenging before Iowa Valley was added and the addition of the Tigers made it more of a challenge. The Orioles play four of their first five at home and finish with three of the last four on the road. Six of their nine opponents - Iowa Valley, Montezuma, Edgewood-Colesburg, Kee, WACO and Central City - were 2024 playoff qualifiers.
"I feel this group wants to win a district championship along with being the first team (in school history) to make it to the(UNI-Dome)," Martin said. "Yes, our schedule is going to be a tough one, but I believe that with our experience this should be a great test. The beginning of our season is going to be tough, so being prepared is going to be vital."
Springfield At A Glance
Coach: Joe Martin (15th year, 70-67 career record)
Top returners: Mason Hoy RB/DB, Luke Lansing RB/LB, Braden Jordan QB/LB, Conlin Rouse TE/LB, Christian Anguiano K/OL, Jace March WR/LB, Andrew Schweibert OL/DL, Gavin Howe OL/DL, Isaac Hill OL/DL, Oliver Longerbeam QB/CB, Connor May RB/LB, Kayd Wilson CB, Preston Martin TE/DE
Key games: Game 2 against Montezuma on Aug. 29 and regular-season finale at Central City on Oct. 17. Both were playoff teams last year with Montezuma reaching the quarterfinals. Game with Central City could end up being for the 8-player, District 4 title
Keys to success: Taking advantage of returning all but one starter from last year's team.
Schedule: Aug. 22 — Iowa Valley; Aug. 29 — Montezuma; Sept. 5 — Edgewood-Colesburg; Sept. 12 — at Easton Valley; Sept. 19 — Calamus-Wheatland; Sept. 26 — at Central Elkader; Oct. 3 — Kee; Oct. 10 — at WACO; Oct. 17 — at Central City