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D-I playoffs: Wildcats face tough task

In their first playoff appearance, they’ll play at state’s No. 2 team, Dublin Coffman.

Springfield quarterback George Walker (right), who hurt his ankle Friday, Oct. 30, against Wayne, will play tonight for the Wildcats.

Staff photo by Bill Lackey Springfield quarterback George Walker (right), who hurt his ankle Friday, Oct. 30, against Wayne, will play tonight for the Wildcats.

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By Brian Plasters, Staff Writer 12:02 AM Saturday, November 7, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — The Wildcats walked off the Evans Stadium field Friday, Oct. 30, sure their season was over.

But head coach Rick Robertson left his players with a small chance of making the playoffs in the postgame speech, and sure enough by Saturday morning everybody knew that Springfield High School was going to the playoffs.

The Wildcats (6-4) travel to Dublin Coffman at 7 p.m. today to play in a Division I, Region 3 quarterfinal.

The fact that the Wildcats, the No. 8 seed, have advanced this far is a testament to their ability to fight back. The team has just six seniors and suffered its share of injuries, and more than once this season faced elimination from the playoff race. But it has continued to fight.

“I think it shows that we’re working hard to get back on the map and get people in the state to remember Springfield football again,” Robertson said. “This is good for the program, it’s good for the school and community, and hopefully it’s something we can build on.”

The reward for getting to the playoffs is a date with Coffman (10-0), No. 2 in the Associated Press poll and No. 1 in the region. The Shamrocks score 37.2 points per game and allow 4.9. They haven’t allowed more than 13 points in one game, and allowed one TD or less in eight games.

Robertson listed a few keys for the Wildcats to have success, including avoiding turnovers and penalties, hitting a couple big plays and getting breaks to fall their way. He also said quarterback George Walker, who left the Wayne loss in the regular-season finale with an injury, will play.

Look for Walker and Trey DePriest (1,528 rushing yards between them) to get the bulk of the carries.

On defense, Desmond McCowan leads the team with eight sacks. DePriest has a team-high 90 tackles, followed by Hayden Davis (73).

“If you’re going to make a mistake, go full speed. Defensively, we’re going to put on the pressure and see how well (the Shamrocks) handle that,” Robertson said.

As for Robertson, he’s taken a team to the playoffs twice now. The first was North in 1988.

Springfield (6-4)

at Dublin Coffman (10-0)

What: Division I, Region 3 quarterfinal

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: Coffman Stadium, Dublin Coffman High School

Tickets: $9 at the gate or $7 pre-sale at the school

The winner plays: Olentangy Liberty (7-3) or Westerville South (8-2)

Directions to Dublin Coffman: 70 East to 270 North. Take exit 17A and merge onto U.S. 33/Ohio 161 East. Turn left onto Post Road. Turn right at Emerald Parkway. Continue straight onto Coffman Road. The school is on the right

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