Springville’s Conlin Rouse relishes return to football field after injury sidelined him as a freshman

SPRINGVILLE – Conlin Rouse smiled from ear-to-ear.

Maybe an unexpected response after a lopsided loss, but the results were just part of the Springville sophomore’s season opener.

As a freshman, Rouse broke his arm and limited him to just about a quarter of action in the season finale.

“It just means a lot that I’m able to grow with them and, obviously, get out and play,” Rouse said. “I had a heck of a lot of fun tonight. It was a good time. I’m looking forward to it.: I think we only go up from here.”

Rouse scored one of the Orioles’ three touchdowns in a 52-23 loss to Baxter Friday night at Allison Field. Bolts quarterback Perrin Shulzle passed for 274 yards, teaming with receiver Treyton Travis for 232 yards and four touchdowns.

Springville was within six points midway through the third before Baxter pulled away with four TDs in the last 13 minutes.

“At halftime, I told them to battle,” Springville Coach Joe Martin said. “That’s all I can really ask from them.

“When the game was over, yeah, we lost by 30 but I don’t feel like the score was indicative of the effort we gave. If we continue to do that, those are things you can’t coach.”

Rouse said it was “horrible” watching from the sidelines and not being physically able to contribute for most of last season. He attempted to make the most of a bad situation, studying plays and schemed off an iPad while helping the scout team during practice.

“I feel like mentally I learned a lot, too,” Rouse said. “That fueled everything,” Rouse said. “I don’t think I missed a day of weightlifting in the summer. I gave it my all and I know guys around me gave their all. It was contagious.”

Rouse’s excitement to take the field for his first full varsity game outweighed the agony of being a spectator a year ago. He touched the ball 11 times, amassing 75 yards.

“We have a lot of very good athletes,” Martin said. “Just trying to find ways of getting him the ball, whether that be running back or receiver. I’m very proud because he’s a hard worker. It’s easy to give those opportunities to kids that want to work.”

Rouse provided a boost in the Orioles’ second possession of the second half, sparking the scoring drive with a 35-yard reception on the first play. He reeled in an 8-yard TD pass from Mason Hoy along the near sideline, pulling within 22-16 with 7:13 left in the third.

“It was great,” said Rouse, conjuring memories of an unbeaten middle school season. “It was something I’ve been envisioning this whole time up to this week, getting into the end zone and making a play for my team. Whatever it takes.”

Springville had flashes of success through the game, especially in the first half. Jordan Goad put the Orioles on the board with a 6-yard run, capping a 9-play, 48-yard drive. Christian Anguiano’s extra-point kick gave Springville a 7-6 lead with 38 seconds left in the first quarter.

Kahl Shanahan added a safety in the second quarter and Hoy added a 10-yard TD run in the fourth. Hoy finished with 66 yards rushing, 45 passing and six receiving.

“It’s eventually going to click with us,” Martin said. “At times, it did. We threw some wrinkles to get some athletes the ball a little bit quicker. I know everybody wants results right away but it’s a process.”

Springville had four starters without any varsity experience. Injuries plagued last season and they’re healthy now.

“I’m proud of the effort that they gave,” Martin said. “That’s more important.”

Baxter took control from that point, scoring 30 straight points and extending Springville’s losing streak to 11 games. Shulzle and Travis connected on a 36-yard TD scoring strike on the following drive.

The Bolts’ duo burned Springville throughout the game, including a 65-yard TD pass on the first play of the game.

“We wanted to get something big with Perrin and me,” Travis said. “We wanted to set the tone right off the bat.”

They also hooked up for a 31-yard TD with Travis making a diving catch between two defenders in the end zone on 4th-and-11 for a 14-7 lead with 10:30 left in the second.

Shulzle and Travis added a 6-yard score in the second for a 22-9 halftime lead.

“We have good chemistry,” said Travis, who finished with 13 receptions. “We’ve been working on it.”

BAXTER 52

SPRINGVILLE 23

AT SPRINGVILLE

BAX SPR

First Downs 16 12

Rushes-yards 26-85 38-106

Passing yards 274 81

Comp-att-int 19-29-1 5-14-0

Total yards 359 187

Fumbles-lost 2-0 2-1

Punts-avg. 0-0 3-40.7

Penalties-yards 5-50 7-40

Baxter 6 16 22 8 -- 52

Springville 7 2 7 7 -- 23

B – Treyton Travis 65 pass from Perrin Sulzle (pass fail)

S – Jordan Goad 6 run (Christian Anguiano kick)

B – Travis 31 pass from Sulzle (Sulzle pass to Cainan Travis)

S – Kahl Shanahan safety

B – T. Travis 6 pass from Sulzle (Sulzle rush)

S – Conlin Rouse 8 pass from Mason Hoy (Anguiano kick)

B – T. Travis 36 pass from Sulzle (pass fail)

B – C. Travis 7 run (Sulzle rush

B – Sulzle 7 run (Sulzle pass to T. Travis)

B – Cael Wishman 38 fumble return (Sulzle pass to Cade Robinson)

S – Hoy 10 run (Anguiano kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Baxter: Sulzle 11-51, C. Travis 3-25, Robinson 8-11, T. Travis 2-6, Team 2-(-8). Springville: Hoy 10-66, Braden Jordan 10-22, Goad 8-13, Luke Lansing 2-3, Rouse 8-2.

PASSING – Baxter: Sulzle 19-29-1-274. Springville: Hoy 3-5-0-45, Jordan 2-4-0-36, Goad 0-5-0-0.

RECEIVING – Baxter: T. Travis 13-232, C. Travis 2-29, Robinson 3-7, Stadan Vansice 1-6. Springville: Rouse 3-73, Hoy 1-6, Jordan 1-2.