Last year, the Springville Tigers lost to Fairfield 28-21 in the opening round of the AHSAA state playoffs.

As luck would have it, the two teams met again this year in the opening round and Springville was bound and determined to make the outcome different this go around.

Unfortunately, the result was the same as last year as the season came to a close for Springville, losing on the road to Fairfield 13-12.

The game was a defensive battle from start to finish. Halfway through the first quarter, Fairfield scored on a 69-yard pass. The PAT was no good and the score was 6-0. That was the score at intermission as well as neither team was able to score in the second quarter.

Late in the third quarter, Springville put together a drive and they tied the game with 14 seconds remaining in the third stanza. The touchdown came on a 17-yard pass from quarterback Josh Gibson to his brother Jake Gibson. The PAT was blocked and the game was tied 6-6 headed into the fourth quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, with 10:56, remaining in the game, Fairfield regained the lead on a 12-yard run. The PAT was good and Fairfield was on top 13-6.

With just over 5 minutes left in regulation, Springville’s Josh Gibson scored on a 3-yard run to make it 13-12.

Since an earlier PAT had been blocked, Springville head coach Keith Maple opted to go for the two-point conversion and the win.

“Demarcus Tremble was stopped right at the goal line just inches short of the end zone,” said Maple. “We thought he had made it in, but after we watched the film, he was stopped short.”

Trailing 13-12, Springville got another shot after Fairfield fumbled. The Tigers drove to the Fairfield 5-yard line with 40 seconds remaining in the game but they turned the ball over.

“We actually had two opportunities to win the game,” Maple said. “I’m proud of our guys. They played hard and fought to the end. Fairfield is a lot bigger than we are.”

Maple said they had been holding a couple of different offensive plays in their back pocket for this game and it worked.

“I was pleased with how Josh Gibson played,” Maple said. “I’m just pleased with the whole team and all the kids. We have dealt with injuries for the past five weeks and we had some young kids out there. It will help us for next year as they got some playing time and experience.”

Josh Gibson was 15-for-35 passing for 134 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 48 yards and accounted for both Springville scores.

Springville finished the season with a record of 7-4.