NO MAGIC NEEDED FOR TIGERS THIS TIME AROUND

NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio –

It had been five straight shutouts and twenty-three consecutive quarters since the Springfield Tigers (11-1) had allowed a single point, a testament to just how impressive they’ve been but also raising doubts of not being tested since the second week of the season.

Their opponent, the Norwayne Bobcats, were no strangers to the grass playing surface of New Middletown, as the very field they stood upon was exactly where they ended their season just one day shy of a year ago.

After losing the toss and Springfield electing to differ to the second half, the Bobcats would start with the football, and they started quickly. Mixing the run and pass, Norwayne quarterback, Elijah Stanley, marched the Bobcats of Creston straight down the field and into the endzone, taking advantage of the Springfield secondary much like former Norwayne signal caller, Nate Biskay, did in their matchup up last season.

With momentum firmly in their grasp, the Bobcats not only started hot on offense, but their defense was clicking as well. After two positive plays for Springfield on first down, a third and three Beau Brungard keeper to the right side would be snuffed out for a loss of two, forcing the Tigers to go three and out.

Despite their early struggles, the Tigers’ impact player from last season’s regional final (and truly since he took over as starter his sophomore season), Beau Brungard, was bound to make his mark on the ballgame. A first quarter touchdown from three yards out by Beau would move the score to where it would end the first quarter at six a piece.

Looking to rekindle their opening drive fire, Norwayne would pick up a few first downs on the ensuing drive, one a fourth down conversion with eleven yards to go in their own territory, before the Bobcats would put the ball on the ground to be recovered by who other than Brungard himself.

Taking over directly at midfield after the Brungardrecover and return, the Tigers were back into the endzone just a few plays later, this time on a back shoulder Brungard touchdown pass to Jake Joyce from twenty plus yards out.

The Tigers continued to roll throughout the first half and well into the second. Another outstanding performance by Brungard only addsto his already illustrious career in New Middletown. Beau would hit pay dirt from eighty-four, eighteen, and fifty-four yards out on the night, leaving no doubt this time around against the Bobcats, 41-13.

BIG PERFORMERS

SPRINGFIELD:

Beau Brungard: 5-11, 79 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 20 carries, 248 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs

Jake Joyce: 4 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD

UP NEXT

Springfield: After dropping their opener against the rivaling South Range Raiders, the Tigers have now rallied off eleven straight victories. Looking to get back to their third straight regional final, Springfield will take on the Columbia Raiders (11-1) this Saturday at 7:00 pm, at a neutral site still to be determined.

Norwayne: Once again the Bobcats of Creston will end their season in New Middletown. After the long bus ride home, Norwayne will now turn their attention to hoops season, and hope to get revenge once again on the Tigers on the hardwood.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson