Springfield 21, Northmont 18: ‘Evans Stadium magic’

Wildcats knock off defending GWOC Central champs in another big victory at home.

Springfield's Lamar Davenport catches a long pass and dives into the end zone while pursued by Northmont's Zach Shaw on Friday, Oct. 9, at Evans Stadium in Springfield.

Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic Springfield's Lamar Davenport catches a long pass and dives into the end zone while pursued by Northmont's Zach Shaw on Friday, Oct. 9, at Evans Stadium in Springfield.

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By Brian Plasters, Staff Writer 12:26 AM Saturday, October 10, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — The long-discussed potential of Springfield’s combined talent had left players, parents, coaches and fans wondering for years.

Now they know.

The Springfield High School football team beat Northmont 21-18 on Friday, Oct. 9, leaving little doubt the Wildcats are an emerging football power.

The rain stalled both offenses at a muddy Evans Stadium, the Wildcats were penalized 15 times for 111 yards, and the Thunderbolts gained 216 yards to the Wildcats’ 165.

Yet the Wildcats were able to topple last season’s king of the Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division with a pick-six, five turnovers and the ability to make plays at pivotal moments.

“It feels great,” senior B.J. Bush said after the win. “This is the first time I beat Northmont in my high school career.”

Springfield (5-2, 1-1 GWOC Central) has played this season with a massive chip on its shoulder, and the Wildcats have rallied around that underdog role.

“Win one for the little three. Another one of the big three goes down,” said Springfield head coach Rick Robertson, muddy and smiling. “Evans Stadium magic, baby. Our kids believe here, and we’re not losing here right now (the Wildcats are 3-0 at home this season).”

It was Bush’s interception and 75-yard return for a score that put the Wildcats up 21-15 with 3:35 left in the third quarter.

Northmont responded with 22-yard field goal from Brandon Reamon and pull within three.

Northmont had two chances to score in the final three minutes. One drive stalled on Springfield’s 26-yard line, and an interception with no time remaining ended the game.

After rushing for 96 yards and scoring twice in the first half, Northmont tailback Korey Ringer finished with 121 yards. The Bolts had 69 passing yards, and Springfield had 40, but the weather didn’t help.

“It was real muddy out here and real slippery,” Springfield defensive tackle Desmond McCowan said after making five tackles. “Otherwise you’d be slippin’ and slidin’ like you were on skates.”

“You’re not going to beat anybody with five turnovers. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing,” Northmont head coach Lance Schneider said. “We’ve got to get better all the way across the board on that side of the football, or it’s going to be a long rest of the season.”

Springfield, No. 11 in the Division I, Region 3 football ratings entering the game, should get a major boost with the win. The loss likely leaves Northmont somewhere in the middle of a crowded Region 4.

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