Springfield

Since the 2008 merger, the Warriors lead the series 9-7.

“It’s the closest team we play in the conference,” Douglass said. “With that being said, it’s allowed us to have a little bit of a rivalry. There’s no bad blood because I have the utmost respect for (Wayne coach Roosevelt Mukes) and their kids. It’s just a good old-fashioned, go to the YMCA, drop the ball and we’re going to play.”

The key, Douglass said, will be taking care of the football. The Wildcats have struggled in that area with nine turnovers in back-to-back losses to Dematha Catholic (Md.) and Trotwood-madison. Last Friday night, the Wildcats had five turnovers in a 21-20 loss to Trotwood.

“We’ve got to cut our turnovers down and win the turnover battle,” Douglass said. “We have to win special teams, win third-down situations on defense and offense and put ourselves in favorable situations to be successful. The game is really easy; if you take away the turnovers you’ve got a chance. We’re not good enough to give somebody four, five turnovers a game and expect to come back to win — even though we came awful close last week to pulling that off.

“You can’t put yourself in those situations when you’re playing from behind and you’re having to do things you’re not comfortable with. We’ve got to get rid of the turnovers.”

Wayne is one of four GWOC teams to score 100 points in the first three weeks of the season. The Warriors are led by junior quarterback Tyrell Lewis, who ranks second in the GWOC with 704 passing yards. Junior Teaunn Hunter leads the GWOC with 267 receiving yards — right in front of Springfield seniors

Duncan Bradley III (250 yards) and Da’shawn Martin (214 yards).

“(Lewis) is making good decisions with the ball,” Douglass said. “He’s done a great job over the offseason working on his throwing technique and motion. ... He’s done a good job of making decisions with the ball and his selection of who he’s trying to get the ball to and seems to be distributing the ball pretty evenly.”

Springfield’s defense is led by senior shutdown cornerback and Ohio State commit Aaron Scott, senior linebacker Kyron Dolby (35 tackles, 7.5 for loss), and junior defensive end Jackson Heims (3.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss).

A year ago, Wayne took an early 7-0 lead, but Springfield scored 21 unanswered points to earn a 21-7 victory.

“We’ve had some good battles the last five, six, seven years,” Douglass said, “and this will be another one.”