Expect a Focused Springfield Team Tonight; Win Would Bring Much More Than a Title
By Deon Cash
The Springfield Wildcats seemed to be a team of destiny last year during the OHSAA Football seaaon.
They had a Mr. Football candidate at quarterback, to go with a variety of elite defenders on defense. Top that off with a second to none coaching staff and you had a on the rise organization to prepare to take on one of the elite programs in OHSAA storied football history, which has been dominated by the northern portion of the state in recent years.
Springfield would battle St Edward in the D-1 Title game last year, but a slow first half would put them in a early hole. While the Cats would have their opportunities, it just was not to be despite a valiant effort by Star QB Tae'Sean Smoot and the troops. In watching the game, you could see that Springfield was a little bit in awe of the moment and needed a little time to settle into the atmosphere within the game.
Coach Douglas spoke on this moment.
"Last year I think the lights got a little too bright for some of our players early in the game. We had never been at the State Championship game before, and in the 1st half it seemed as if we were still trying to find our rhythm, which cost us. In the 2nd half we played much better but it was too late and we left some plays on the field. You can'tdo that in a Championship game."
Watch the Full Interview here:
St. Ed would hoist the trophy, sending a wave of dissapointment to the Cats locker room. The good part: Springfield realizing that they were literally a few plays or a quarter away from being a champion.
Now fast forward to this season.
With a plethora of guys who were back (Anthony Brown, Jaivian Norman to name a couple) who were key factors last year along with a couple of rising young talent (Aaron Scott J r, Bryce Washington, the offensive line) and a couple of key transfers (Schondelmyer, Owens), the Cats are right back in the same position they were in last year - which is playing for a championship against St Edward this weekend back to back years.
However this game coach and the team have taken a slightly different approach, and it shows the mentality that has been taken all season.
Coach Douglass is all about "finishing it", and this is right summarization of how dominant his team has been over the last half decade.
In the last S.E.Live show, Douglass states exactly that. (LINK BELOW):
But, in order to be the best, you know the saying.
And that wont be a easy task, considering they are playing the reigning D-1 champs, who: (1) are playing close to home (2) have a huge fanbase (3) have a powerful offensive line and a(4) dynamic quarterback and (5) defense shut down Moeller to 0 points for an entire game.
The only team these two teams played is Moeller, but u got the sense Springfield could have won by 2 touchdowns.
You can bet that this Springfield team, who went down a day earlier, won't have the bright lights vibe that they did last year. Coach Douglass would know better than anyone if his boys weren't locked in from the beginning.
Will the Cats finish it?
Dont bet against this team.
If they do, they will not only bring their first ever title to "The Field" but also bring the big some respect in Southwest Ohio and the Dayton area which hasn't had a D-1 champ for a long stretch since the Trotwood and Wayne days nearly a half decade ago.
It also would give some validity to the fact that these Wildcats have had some elite players who should legitimately been considered for Mr Football, including Tae'Sean Smoot and a few kids on the team today such as Anthony Brown, Bryce Schondelmyer and Jaivian Norman.
Check out the All-Access pass at the OHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP @SELive365
For more info
@SELive365
