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It was an impressive defensive turnaround for Northmont, which just two weeks earlier was torched in the second half of a 49-20 blowout loss at Wayne.
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Northmont (6-1) likely will vault to the top of the Division I, Region 3 computer rankings because leader and defending D-I state champ Pickerington Central lost 31-30 to Lancaster.
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Northmont is one of five Greater Western Ohio Conference teams in the running for a D-I, Region 3 playoff berth. Fairmont (6-1) and Springfield (6-1) will likely drop two spots to 3-4 and Miamisburg (6-1) should be No. 6. Wayne (5-2) could not gain ground despite beating Beavercreek for its third straight win. The Warriors should be No. 10.
Hickman opened the scoring with a 24-yard strike from Johnson and added a 60 yarder deep into the third quarter. Jacobs’ 59-yard blast on the first play of the fourth quarter held up for the final score.
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Northmont also had a 28-yard field goal by Brandon Goodwin and a safety after Andrew Knick took down Springfield speedster Michael Stephens-Brown in the end zone. Knick also had a fumble recovery.
Springfield scored on Larry Stephens’ 66-yard pass from Raheim Moss to pull the Wildcats within 12-7. It was the 12th TD by Springfield since Week 2 that has gone for 35 or more yards.
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Johnson completed 14 of 28 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Jazz Keys had five catches for 45 yards and Hickman four catches for 107 yards and those two scores.
Moss, limited by an ankle injury that hasn’t fully recovered, completed 7 of 18 passes for 98 yards, one TD and was intercepted twice. Stephens had three catches for 81 yards.
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Springfield’s talented backfield of Tavion Smoot (73 yards), Jeff Tolliver (9) and Moss (7) combined for just 89 yards rushing. Northmont’s defense was so dominant, Springfield had just one first down at halftime.
The teams could earn a playoff rematch. Springfield is at Beavercreek (1-6) in Week 8 and Northmont is at Centerville (0-7).
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