Spring football game gets played at Cold Springs:
New opponent visits Stricklin Stadium for the first time:
GDW Analysis:
COLD SPRINGS: A program from Calhoun County came to Cranford Stricklin Stadium for the first time in facing the Cold Springs Eagles to close out spring football workouts.
Walter Wellborn Panthers returned to the Anniston area after a 14 to 6 triumph. The varsity teams played three quarters with the final stanza having junior varsity personnel to be on the field.
Cold Springs enters the 2025 season with experience in skill positions. The Eagles were out to fill vacancies from a 5 & 5 playoff team last season due to graduation.
Walter Wellborn kept it simple. The Panthers used running plays that netted yardage around the ends with the opening drive resulting in 12 plays, 70 yards and a touchdown.
The TD was on a 30 yard pass that concluded the series at 3:40 of the first quarter. The Panthers kicked the extra point and led 7 to 0.
Cold Springs managed a couple of 10 yard runs from QB Ayden Black and RB Tyson Kilgo that had a good drive going until they failed to maintain it and punted away with the Panthers getting possession at their 21 right before the period ended.
The Eagles forced a punt and once again, showed signs of advancing the football into Wellborn territory.
Wellborn stepped it up on defense, getting back the ball and went 70 yards for a 2nd score. This drive ended with 3:24 to play in the quarter and a 14 to 0 lead for the visitors.
Cold Springs attacked with a drive that consisted of a 20 yard pass to Blake Phillips and a 10 yard gain from Cason Alexander. The Eagles would get the ball near the Wellborn 20 yard line late in the half when a chance to score ended up with the game's lone turnover.
Black ran to his left, throwing the ball against the grain with the pass intercepted in the end zone with 33 seconds showing on the clock.
The half ended with the Panthers ahead 14 to 0, outgaining the Eagles in total offense 172 to 97.
Brendan Voce's Eagles started the 2nd half with possession. From their 30, the Eagles used three runs by Alexander in taking it downfield.
A dropped pass near the end zone on 4th down forced the Eagles to turn the ball over.
Cold Springs held and a 75 yard drive enabled the Eagles to get on the scoreboard on the final play of the third quarter.
Black accounted for a 12 yard run plus a 7 yard gain from Ethan Day served notice.
However, Walter Wellborn lost its composure as two personal fouls and a pass interference penalty on the drive accounted for 45 yards of real estate.
Black plunged in from the one. A two point conversion attempt failed with the Panthers ahead of the Eagles 14 to 6 heading to the 4th.
The Eagles would net 158 yards offense in the varsity segment with the running game accounting for 138 yards.
Alexander was productive for the Eagles in the 3rd with 6 carries gaining 26 yards.
The Eagles had 9 first downs on their own and three more due to penalties by the Panthers.
Walter Wellborn would deliver 176 yards offense as 146 of it came by the running attack.
Now the Eagles will head into offseason workouts and look to kick off the 2025 schedule on August 22 with the Hanceville Bulldogs coming to Stricklin Stadium for the opener.
Cold Springs, who started football in 1970, will compete in Region 6 of 2A for 2025 play. The region schedule will consist of Susan Moore, Cleveland, West End, Coosa Christian, Southeastern and Falkville.
Non regional games will be vs. Hanceville, Curry, Lynn and Winston County.
This will be the Eagles' 4th season with Voce running the show. The Eagles have 13 wins in 31 games with him.
Photo of the coin toss between the Cold Springs Eagles (blue) and Walter Wellborn Panthers Thursday from Cranford Stricklin Stadium.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
