Photo by Bruce Schooler 

The Steers got exactly the type of start they needed for the second season, defeating Plainview’s Bulldogs, 26-16, in the District 4-4A opener at Memorial Stadium Friday night.

Nothing but smiles and expressions of glee could be found on the faces of the Steers’ players and coaches immediately after the game.

“Honestly, I’m much more excited for these kids than I am for our coaching staff or for myself. These kids earned this win tonight and absolutely deserve it,” Steers Head Coach Mike Ritchey said. “If I’ve got tears, then they’re not tears of joy for the coaching staff. They’re tears of joy for these athletes. Everything is starting to come together. Winning can be everything for a team. It changes attitudes and a player’s outlook. It gives us great confidence as well.”

For a change, the mistakes that change the momentum of a game didn’t happen to Big Spring. Instead, it was Plainview that fell victim of several mental errors. Both teams were called for five penalties in the game, however, Big Spring’s fouls were all of the 5-yard variety.

Meanwhile, every Plainview penalty went for 10 or 15 yards and one cost them a chance to swing the momentum in their favor while cutting the lead to a one possession game.

Trailing 26-16 with 8:59 left in the game, Bulldogs running back Kody Thrasher broke free for a 37-yard touchdown run off the left side. However, Plainview was called for holding, pushing them back to their own 47.

On the next play, Steers’ middle linebacker Cade Hollandsworth set down in a zone coverage in the middle of the field. Plainview quarterback Jason Miller didn’t see Hollandsworth, who leaped and picked off Miller’s pass with less than eight minutes in the game.

The Steers couldn’t capitalize on the ensuing offensive drive, picking up just one first down. They were forced to punt into a strong gust of wind with just under four minutes left in the game. However, a Plainview blocker had the ball bounce against his leg and the Steers recovered the ball at the Bulldogs’ 35 with 3:20 left in the game.

Big Spring picked up three first downs — two on quarterback sneaks by sophomore Tyler Tannehill — to seal the victory.

The game was starting to look familiar to last week’s loss to Andrews, when the Steers were forced to give Plainview the ball nursing a 10-point lead with less than four minutes remaining. Ritchey said the demeanor on the sidelines was different, though.

“We talked about what happened last week in this situation and the coaches made it clear that we were going to go out and close the deal this time,” Ritchey said. “There wasn’t a negative look or a negative thought on the sideline. Our kids had the look that they were going to win this game. We stepped up, had the interception by Cade and the offense picked up three big first downs to close out the game.”

Tannehill, forced into the game due to an injury to starting quarterback Nathan Doporto, led the Steers to their game-clenching touchdown early in the fourth quarter. He had what Ritchey later called the play of the game.

On fourth and 8, the Steers had the ball at the Plainview 35-yard line, leading 20-16. Tannehill completed a 30-yard pass over the middle to Sidney Parker into a wind that gusted up to 20 miles per hour, setting the Steers up with a first and goal on the 5. Anderson scored on the next play, giving Big Spring a 26-16 lead.

“Tyler made the offensive play of the game,” Ritchey said. “The line blocked really well and gave him time, but he did a great job of hanging in the pocket and completing the pass to Sidney. Tyler is very capable of this and we have full confidence in him at quarterback. He had that confidence tonight as well. You cold tell when he broke the huddle that he believed the play was going to work. He threw a beautiful ball into a strong wind and put the game away for us. It was absolutely the play of the game.”

Adversity stared down the Steers early in Friday’s contest as Plainview took a 10-0 in the first quarter. The Bulldogs tackled running back Monte Anderson in the end zone for a safety for the game’s first points, giving Plainview a 2-0 lead. The Bulldogs took their next possession, following a free kick, 55-yards for a touchdown.

Big Spring responded with a 1-yard scoring plunge by Matt Ritchey that was set up by three consecutive 20-plus yard runs by Doporto and Anderson. After holding Plainview to a three and out, the Steers took the lead and never relinquished it after Anderson scampered for 59 yards down the left sideline into the end zone, making the score, 13-10.

Big Spring took its opening drive of the second half 68 yards with Doporto scoring on a 3-yard touchdown plunge, extending the Steers’ lead to 20-10. Plainview scored its last touchdown to cut the margin to four with 22 seconds left in the third quarter, courtesy of a 12-yard pass from Miller to Michael Egnew.

Big Spring’s defense forced five turnovers, including a fumble recovery at its own 1-yard line. Cornerback Brandon Ontiveros recovered another fumble in the third quarter and also had an interception. LaRay Woodard — seeing his first action on the varsity team this season — also had an interception.

Justin Amaro led all tacklers with six and Hollandsworth had five tackles with a fumble forced and an interception. Matt Casteneda — starting for the first time since breaking his hand four weeks ago — had four tackles and a sack.

Offensively, the Steers were outgained by Plainview, 360-329, in total offense. Anderson had 146 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Woodard, who lined up at quarterback in the Steers’ Jumbo package, carried the ball seven times for 34 yards.

Doporto was five of eight passing for 64 yards and added 29 yards rushing with a touchdown. Tannehill completed both of his pass attempts for 35 yards.

Parker led with four receptions for 55 yards and sophomore Thaddeus Straughter had two catches for 50 yards.

The Steers get to enjoy Friday’s win longer than usual as they have a bye this week. They travel to Frenship to take on the Tigers (1-0, 4-2) on Oct. 26.

“It is an excellent time for an off week,” Ritchey said. “We’re a little beat up and we’re starting to get some kids back, but it’s been a long haul since two-a-days. We started August 6, but that feels like it’s been two years ago. We’ve been asking a lot from the kids and it’s good for them to get away from us for a little bit. We do expect them to be focused when we get them back on the field. Frenship is coming up and we’ve got two weeks to prepare for them. We want to win a district championship and doing that means getting past Frenship.”

Contact Sports Editor Jonathan Hull by calling 263-7331, ext. 237, or by e-mailing him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it