Top seed awaits Springfield
Wildcats face stiff test against Hilliard Davidson.
Springfield SPRINGFIELD — had high expectations at the beginning of the season.
Through 11 weeks, the Wildcats have reached a level they’ve only been one other time in program history.
“When you’re building and trying to get somewhere you’ve never been, there’s always a learning curve and going through the process,” Springfield coach Maurice Douglass said. “The community has really supported us to put our kids into the position we’re in today.”
To reach new heights, the Wildcats (9-2) will face another stiff test this week against topseeded Hilliard Davidson (101) in a D-I, Region 3 semifinal game at 7 p.m. Friday at London High School.
Northmont (10-1) is paired against defending D-I state champ Pickerington Central (9-2) in the other D-I, Region 3 semifinal. The winners will meet in the regional final.
Davidson held on to beat Wayne 28-21 in a quarterfinal game last week, while Springfield avenged a Week 10 loss to Fairmont with a 19-14 victory.
This week, Springfield expects to play another physical game against Davidson. Both teams are strong defensively and primarily run the ball on offense, Douglass said.
Davidson runs a triple-option offense, which the Wildcats have faced six times this season, including back-toback weeks against Fairmont.
“We’re better suited for it than what we have been in the past,” Douglass said.
Davidson’s Jordan Hicks rushed for 181 yards and four scores, while Kalib O’Connor rushed for 101 yards in the victory against Wayne. Davidson attempted just one pass in the game, a 2-yard completion.
The Wildcats must focus on their assignments, Douglass said.
“It’s about discipline and having eye control,” he said. “If you have the dive man, take the dive man. If you have the pitch man, take the pitch man. You’ve got to trust that your brother is going to take the quarterback if that’s their responsibility. If we can do the things we’ve grown accustomed to, then we should be successful.”