Reading Prevails Late Over Springport In District Championship

Photos by John Lucas Jr., JTV Sports

David Rice | JTV Sports

Friday, November 8th

(11-8-2024, 11:50 PM): A touchdown was scored in every drive, as a win for the Reading Rangers on Friday night at Springport High School claims an MHSAA D8 Football District Championship.

Springport began the game on offense and was hot from the start. A 34-yard carry from Daniel Dysert on the first play set up QB Gibson Overweg for a 26-yd keeper for a touchdown in the first 45 seconds. Reading responded with a rare deep pass, converting for 43 yards on a catch from Skyler Charters. Charters capped off the drive with a 21-yard TD run to make it 8-7 Rangers.

The Spartans offense had great field position on the next drive, a QB keeper from Overweg and a catch from Dallas Higelmire set up a TD catch for Tucker Wiginton to make it 13-8 Springport after the opening quarter.

Reading opened the second quarter with another scoring drive, an unsportsmanlike penalty on Springport set up a rushing TD for Stephen Anderson to make it a 14-13 lead. Springport went deep into the playbook to end the first half, a 16-yard TD catch from Dallas Higelmire off a flea flicker from WR Jake Kregel gave Springport a 21-14 lead at halftime.

The Rangers consumed the first seven minutes of the third quarter, capping it off with a rushing TD from Lukas Strine to make it a 22-21 lead. RB Daniel Dysert scored his 2nd TD of the game for the Spartans to end the third quarter, giving them a 29-22 lead.

Reading continued to eat up clock and play exceptional in the final quarter. The Rangers were able to punch in the (ultimately) game-winning touchdown run with just 5:16 remaining in the game. A 20-yd run from QB Gibson Overweg help set the Spartans up inside the red zone with just under three minutes left. Multiple holding penalties from Springport forced a 4th & 9 and came up short.

Reading held on to win 30-29 at Springport to win its third football district championship in the last five years (first since 2022). Lukas Strine, Stephen Anderson, and Skyler Charters all scored for Reading. Dallas Higelmire, Tucker Wiginton, and QB Gibson Overweg scored for the Springport Spartans. SHS finishes 8-3 this season with its first ever playoff victory and first playoff appearance since 2018.

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