Kevrin Justice + Kilgore Jump All Over Spring Hill, 41-12, to Open ‘District of Doom’ Play

LONGVIEW -- Those who thought Kilgore might pose too big of a threat for Spring Hill to overcome were proven correct Friday night in the District 16-3A opener for both teams.

Kilgore's Kevrin Justice rushed for 100 yards and four touchdowns, and Kilgore ran for almost 200 yards in a 41-12 victory. Spring Hill trailed 14-0 less than five minutes into the game, and didn't get on the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs are 4-0 overall, and were ranked fifth in the state in last week's Associated Press Class 3A poll. Kilgore hosts Bullard next Friday.

Spring Hill dropped to 2-3 overall, and visits Gladewater on Friday.

Justice scored three plays after the contest began on a 40-yard touchdown. After Kilgore forced a quick Spring Hill possession and a punt, Justice scored again. Xavier Gaona, getting his first start at quarterback for Kilgore, completed a pass to Nick Orange for a 15-yard gain down to Spring Hill's 28-yard-line, and Justice scored on the next play.

The Panthers' best drive of the night took up the remainder of the first quarter, aided by a facemask penalty that negated a sack on third down. But the Panthers missed an opportunity to get onto the scoreboard when a 34-yard field goal was wide left.

Kilgore would score twice more in the half. One was set up on a short field when Kilgore's Aaron Foy returned a punt 45 yards to Spring Hill's 20. It was another run by Justice, this one from the Spring Hill 4, that put Kilgore up by three touchdowns.

Spring Hill's next possession ended in a punt -- or a punt attempt. The ball, when snapped, bounced off the ground, and Kilgore fell on it at the Spring Hill 19. The Bulldogs scored on the first-down play, a 19-yard pass from Gaona to Orange. Christian Galvan, who hit all the extra points he attempted, didn't get to try this one; Gaona had to grab the ball off the turf, and was pressured. He ran for the end zone, but didn't quite make it, leaving Kilgore up 27-0 at the half.

The Panthers did nothing to help themselves on their first possession of the third quarter, but after the punt, Kilgore increased its lead. Gaona completed a pass to Foy down Kilgore's sidelines. Foy was dragged down by the back of his collar at the Spring Hill 9. The Panthers were flagged for a horsecollar tackle, and Kilgore had first-and-goal at the Panthers' 5. Justice scored on the first-down play.

The last Kilgore score of the game, by Jaquorius Smith, was scored on a 10-yard run at the end of the third quarter.

Spring Hill quarterback Jacob Rooney led the Panthers to two late touchdowns: one on an 8-yard run by Nick McKee, who was held in check, for the most part, by Kilgore's defense, and the other a 66-yard pass from Rooney to Dylan Evans with just 21 seconds left.

Kilgore's Caleb Wood recovered an onside kick attempt after the final Spring Hill score.

Rooney finished 10-of-15 for 152 yards and the score. Kilgore didn't throw it as much. Gaona was 6-of-10 for 141 yards and the touchdown to Orange.