Ramey, also a linebacker, didn’t play on offense in Springfield’s first two games and got only three carries a game in Weeks 3 and 4. But offensive coordinator Chris Wallace has called more plays for Ramey the last three weeks, and it has helped Springfield’s offense.
Ramey has rushed for over 150 yards in each of the last three games and scored seven touchdowns. His best rushing performance was last week when he ran for 185 yards against the Thunderbolts in addition to catching a 19-yard touchdown pass.
Despite being a senior, Ramey hasn’t played football for the Wildcats since his freshman year. He’s not taking much of the credit for his breakout performances, though. Ramey says Springfield’s offensive line — nicknamed the “Grease” — is the biggest reason for his success.
“I just thank everybody that’s been blocking for me on the offense and give all thanks to God,” Ramey said after last week’s win over Northmont. “I couldn’t be doing it without them. I couldn’t be doing it without the Grease.”
Ramey, who averages 8.4 yards per carry, has become a second consistent running option for the Wildcats. Fellow senior running back Danny Davis is second in the GWOC with 1,014 rushing yards and has scored 10 touchdowns.
Leonard Taylor has also helped Springfield play better on offense in recent weeks. Taylor’s taken over at quarterback full-time after playing the position sparingly in the first half of the season. He’s thrown for 231 yards and three touchdowns in Springfield’s last two games.
It’s a breakout season for Springfield under third-year coach Maurice Douglass. The Wildcats (5-2) already have as many wins this year as the last two seasons combined. They won their first conference game against Centerville on Sept. 16 and resume play against the Beavers.
Springfield finishes league play in Weeks 9 and 10 with home games against Wayne and Fairmont. Then comes the playoffs, which is a likely possibility.
“We’re just really focused right now,” Ramey said. “At practice we come out focused and we get ready for Friday nights. … We’re always getting ready for the next one, on to the next game.”
Beavercreek beat Springfield by three points last year in a wild back-and-forth game after making a field goal as time expired. The Beavers, 4-3, are coming off a 59-7 loss to Wayne.
• Shawnee quarterback Michael Guyer is one of the top 10 players in the CBC statistically in both rushing and passing yards. He’s fourth in the conference with 642 rushing yards and eighth with 461 passing yards.
Guyer isn’t the only Clark County quarterback who ranks high in each category. Tecumseh’s Will Sowder is fifth in passing yards with 573, while Kenton Ridge’s Noah Schleinitz is fifth in rushing with 578.
• Springfield, Mechanicsburg and Greeneview are in good shape for the playoffs entering Week 8. Shawnee and West Liberty-Salem are still in contention, while all other area teams are either long shots or mathematically eliminated.
Drew Pasteur, a mathematics professor at Wooster, runs Fantastic50.net and publishes playoff projections for all divisions and regions each week on the website. He lists Mechanicsburg (7-0) as a near-lock and ranks both Springfield and Greeneview (6-1) as likely playoff teams. Pasteur gives Shawnee a 78-percent chance at making the postseason and West Liberty-Salem a 47-percent chance if both win their final three games.
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