North Springs Spartans Look To Rebound from Winless Season

North Springs football program will undergo a major change this year. Change is inevitable when a team wins only four games in four years and closes out the previous season without a single victory.

First, there is a new head coach. Todd Powers will take over the reins and he brings with him, a whole new coaching staff. The Spartans will also go back to a basic I-formation on offense.

But, more than anything else, Powers hopes to change the culture at North Springs and that, he says starts with discipline.

"We have to change the culture of what this program has been in the past, and that starts with discipline in everything we do," he said.

"We started with getting the players to make a strong commitment in the spring, and it carried through the summer and into our workouts so far this season. The kids are excited to begin games, but understand that discipline is required in everything they do," he added.

Powers knows discipline. He was an Army officer for 20 years and an assistant to one of college football's great disciplinarians, Bobby Ross, who coached Georgia Tech to a national championship and also coached at the U.S. Military Academy.

Powers said his players are, "being held accountable in the classroom, at practice, in team meetings, film sessions, and in their attitude. All these are necessary and impact the success that we hope to have on Friday nights."

After a grueling offseason, junior Hunter Bryan nailed down the starting job at quarterback. Bryan is a baseball standout that Powers hopes will be just as successful on the football field. He has tremendous poise in the pocket, and the leadership qualities Powers is looking for in his quarterback.

Running back Tyler Hemphill returns from last year’s team and should provide the Spartans with a solid ground game.

On defense, North Springs is looking for the same kind of leadership from linebacker and co-captain Xavier Quinn, who will anchor a unit with a lot of new faces.

"We will not measure success by wins or loses, rather, are the athletes getter better every week? Are we making improvements? Everyone knows change doesn’t happen overnight – so we are working as hard as we can – one day at a time. We believe the kids and the school and the community will see the change – as long as we keep our focus on commitment and discipline every day," said Powers.