Sulphur Springs Football Preview Part 8
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As we begin to wind down in our 10-part series, we’re getting into colder weather and the late part of the season. In this one, we preview a game between two familiar foes, renewing an old rivalry.
Week 8 vs Paris
Friday, Oct. 21 will be a battle of the Wildcats’ as Paris travels to Sulphur Springs. The two schools are very familiar with each other, though they will be facing each other for the first time since 2017.
The last two games between the two couldn’t have been closer, with one of them even needing extra time to decide. In 2016, Paris came out on top in a very close game, after trailing in the second half. Sulphur Springs led 35-28, before losing a close 36-35 match.
The following year, the two teams found a way to play an even closer game. After Sulphur Springs got up 14-0 in the first half, Paris marched back and tied things up. The game took two overtimes to win, but Paris got it done, winning both of their final two matches against Sulphur Springs.
Paris has been solid over the last two years, racking up a combined record of 15-10-1. In 2020 the Wildcats had a great season, going 9-5 and making it all the way to the Regional Semifinals round of the playoffs.
2021 didn’t go quite as smooth for Paris, though they finished above .500 again, going 6-5-1. The Wildcats will be looking to reach the playoffs for the third consecutive season and get back to the level of play they saw in 2020.
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The Wildcats are losing most of their key contributors offensively from 2021, including running back Lyric Tredwell who was named First Team All-District. They also are losing quarterback Luke Hohenberger and center Jay Heath who were each named Second Team All-District.
Their one returning offensive player who made an All-District team last year is Preston Harper, who played guard a season ago. He may be given the responsibility of anchoring an offensive line for a team who lost a lot of star power.
Defensively, Paris will be losing a pair of Second Team All-District players in Satchel Swain and Trent Tennon. They will, however, be returning a pair of players who were named Second Team All-District in Trevin Hohenberger and Dycurian Douglas.
Both of which will be entering their junior seasons and have a great sophomore campaign to build off. With Hohenberger at middle linebacker and Douglas at safety, Paris will have a pair of players in the back levels of the defense to rely on in 2022.
This late season match between the two Wildcats’ teams will be a big one, as they each try to put themselves in position to fight for a playoff spot. With the last two matchups between the teams being nail biters, we very well could see another close match, with Sulphur Springs having the home field advantage.
With two more tough opponents on their schedule to end the season, Sulphur Springs will be looking to pick up as many wins as they can.
*All stats are provided by Maxpreps
Other articles in this series include:
Week 5 vs Liberty-Eylau (Homecoming)
Week 6 vs Community (District Opener)
Week 7 @ Mabank
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