Springfield Central surges past BC High in second half

SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL 50

BC HIGH 20

After surrendering a dizzying 67 points in a seasonopening loss to Central Catholic last week, it’s clear that the vaunted Springfield Central offense is going to need some help from the defense to reach their skyhigh potential this fall.

Against BC High on Friday night, that unit took a significant step forward, especially in the second half as the Falcons picked off a pair of passes and pitched a shutout after the break as Central used 34 unanswered points to pull away for a 50-20 victory.

“Huge for the defense, but we have a long way to go and a long way to grow,” said Central coach Valdamar Brower. “We definitely want to be more physical than we were last week and play more complementary football — offense, defense and special teams.”

Special teams mistakes from the Falcons gave the Eagles life in the first half as the hosts recovered one muffed punt and blocked another, setting up short fields that BC High cashed in on for an early 12-8 edge.

BC High (0-2) led again at 20-16 with 3:06 left in the first after a 68-yard pass from Brennan Malone to Ben Evee.

Malone completed 16-of29 passes for 207 yards, connecting with Evee seven times for 162 yards and two TDs.

The Falcons dominated the rest of the way, however, denying new coach Ed Mantie his first win. Central fed running back Tariq Thomas a steady diet of touches and he responded, turning his 25 carries into 189 yards and four touchdowns.

“I just like doing whatever I can do to help the team win,” said Thomas. “Whether that’s blocking, catching the ball or running the ball.”

Star quarterback William Watson was largely efficient and frequently electric in going 13-of-17 for 164 yards and a TD through the air and adding 48 yards and a score on the ground.

Central even gave linebacker Mesias Lee a goalline tote and he converted for a 1-yard TD at the end of the third quarter that sent the fourth into running time.