Springstead Falls 46-0 in Regular Season Opener

As the sun set over Springstead High School’s Booster Stadium, fans filed in to watch the Eagles take on the Zephyrhills Bulldogs in the first regular season game of the 2025-2026 season.

Patrick Harding, 5, avoids an ankle grab during a game at Frank W. Springstead High School in Spring Hill, Fla., on Friday, August 22, 2025. (Photo by Hanna Maglio

The Springstead Eagles entered Friday night’s season opener with high hopes of building on last year’s 8-3 record. But instead of another tight battle with Zephyrhills, the Eagles were handed a stunning 46-0 defeat at home, a reversal of last season’s 16-13 victory over the Bulldogs.

From the start, the Eagles struggled to find rhythm on either side of the ball. Interceptions, incomplete passes, and penalty flags stalled drives, while Zephyrhills’ offense capitalized on every opportunity. The Bulldogs erupted in the second quarter, scoring four times to break the game wide open.

Despite the score, the energy in the stadium remained strong. The Springstead cheerleaders kept the crowd engaged, the Marching Eagle Brigade filled the night with music, and fans stayed on their feet, urging the Eagles to find momentum. For a brief stretch in the third quarter, it looked like Springstead might turn the tide. The Eagles put together a promising drive, but another costly interception crushed the rally.

By the fourth quarter, Zephyrhills was in complete control, leaving the Eagles searching for answers in their home field advantage season opener.

Springstead will travel to South Sumter High next week for their first away game. The Eagles will look to regroup before facing South Sumter, hoping to clean up mistakes and recapture the spark that carried them to eight wins last season.