MIDLOTHIAN - For all the good that Springtown was able to mount against Waco La Vega in the 4A Division I state semifinal, it was all undone by costly penalties.
On the game's first offensive play of the game, it fumbled on its own three yard line and was picked up by La Vega's Demarrquese Hayes for a score.
So not only did it give up score after getting the opening kickoff, that meant La Vega would get the ball back to start the second half.
Fast forward to the second quarter and Springtown starting to make things interesting. It had already cut the La Vega lead down from 14-0 to 14-7 and were in La Vega territory and looking to draw even. Quarterback Camden Chesney throws a pass to the left and hits La Vega's Jordan Rodgers right in the chest and he runs it back 77-yards to make things 21-7.
Jordan Rogers with a big interception and takes it to the house for @lvpirates to make the score 21-7 @lvpirates lead with 8:52 in the first half. What a play!!!!!!! @AdamFromGP@Parker_Turley52pic.twitter.com/8kYh1ZHUNq
— Friday Night Glory (@FridayNghtGlory) December 14, 2019
From that moment on, the game was never in doubt as it was just a sign of things to come for Springtown. While the defense did its part to stifle the La Vega (14-1) offense, Springtown (13-2) could not stop shooting itself in the foot with turnovers - six of them to be exact (3 fumbles and 3 interceptions).
Rogers would finish with two of La Vega's three INTs on the night.
For a team that had just two in four playoff games, Friday's game will probably be look as an outlier.
Springtown's 13 wins is the most in school history and its venture into the state semis is the deepest it has gone since 1995. For La Vega, it makes its second straight appearance in the state finals, where it will meet the winner of Lampasas and Carthage at 11 a.m. Friday, December 20.
