Pack Takes Over Springport Football Program

Key participants for the Springport High School varsity football team are, front row from left), Joe Kiselica, Ben Curtis, and Travis Riehle. Back row, from left, are Drew Sanford, Marshall Shoemaker, Gibson Overweg, Gavin Lightner, and head Coach Ben Pack.

By Jeff Steers

JTV Sports

(8-10-2024, 12:00PM): Veteran high school football Coach Ben Pack took the first part of the spring talking to football players at Springport High School to find out where the program was.

That could pay dividends for Pack who begins his tenure as SHS head football coach after four years at Manchester.

A position in the school district has helped the longtime coach stay close to his student-athletes.

“I met with all of the players 1-on-1 after I got the job and just listened to what the players thought needed to be changed,” Pack said.

Springport finished 3-6 a year ago – its fifth consecutive losing season. The Spartans have not made the playoffs since 2020 and have never won a playoff game despite successful seasons.

The Spartans made the playoffs eight-of-nine seasons 2010-2018 including a 9-0 regular season record in 2010.

“Our seniors feel team chemistry and playing as one unit is the most important factor in our season,” Pack said. “We will be very young.”

But the upperclassmen are lean and long for the Spartans.

Seniors Ben Curtis (RB) and Daniel Dysert (RB) are two runners the Spartans will count on in 2024.

Joe Kiselica (OL/DL), Drew Shoemaker (OL/DL) and Marshall Shoemaker (WR) are also three players Springport expect to be key players.

Brendan Barrett (OL/LB), Gavin Lightner (QB/LB), Kaden Woyame (WR/DB), and Travis Riehle (OL/DL) are expected to be starters for the Spartans in 2024.

Gibson Overweg expects to battle for the quarterback and linebacker positions.

Josh Earls, Eli Worth, and Stone Overweg expect to help steady the two lines for the Spartans.

Others expected to battle for playing time are Dallas Higelmire (WR/DB), Kolton Woyame (RB/LB), and Easton Merrill (RB/DB).

“Coach has taught us to trust one another and want everyone to succeed,” Ben Curtis said of the new head coach.

Spartan fans will need a roster to sort out all of the new coaches at Springport. A.J. Sprague is the new defensive coordinator, Mike Curtis will coach the linemen, Chad Duffing comes with Pack from Manchester. Matt Overweg is a longtime coach at SHS who is expected to remain on the staff.

Springport expects to run the spread gun T – a version of the wing T with a lot of air raid components in it. The Spartans expect to get the football out in under four seconds on each offensive play.

Springport expects to play a 4-3 defense with multiple coverage.

Springport High School Football Schedule 2024:

Aug. 29 Springport at Dansville 7 p.m.

Sept. 6 Vermontville Maple Valley at Springport 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 Sand Creek at Springport 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 Springport at Stockbridge 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 Springport at Quincy 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 Springport at Reading 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 Union City at Springport 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 Bronson at Springport 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 Potterville at Springport 7 p.m.