28 Point First Quarter Propels Springfield Over Penncrest

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News

Willie McGonigle | October 24, 2020

MIDDLETOWN: After struggling last season going 3-8 the Springfield Cougars wanted to come and show that they are one still one of the top teams in the Central League. On Friday at Penncrest’s Louis Scott Field the Cougars did just that by putting up 28 points in the games opening twelve minutes on their way a 42-20 victory over the host Lions.

The visitors set the tone early taking the game’s opening drive 78-yards on eight plays before Sophomore signal call Jake Rama connected with Robby Longo for 13-yard touchdown. On the ensuing kick off The Lions couldn’t corral the kick and Matt Grapin recovered the ball for the Cougars on the Lions 26. Three plays later Jack Clark plowed his way in from 4-yards out extending the Cougars lead to 14-0.

Things went from bad to worst for the Lions on the next kick off has they failed to handle the kick resulting in the Cougars taking over at the Penncrest 24-yard line but the Lions defense toughen up and forcing the Cougars to attempt field goal which saw a bad snap resulting in a loss of ten yards

After the Cougars defense forced the Lions to go three-and out the special teams got on the board has Colin Crawford broke through and blocked the Lions punt that Clark returned 16-yards making it 21-0

Jayden Baiden would extend the guest’s lead to 28-0 with his 5-yard plunge. The Cougars looked poised to extend their lead even more with Baiden carrying the Cougars deep down into the Lions territory before fumbling a ball out of the endzone resulting in a turnover. Baiden would finish the game has its leading rusher, amassing 116 yards on 10 carries

The Lions would take advantage of the turnover driving down the field with a good balance of running by QB Jimmy Cage and backs Brennan Kaut and Mike Burke. Kaut would cap the 80-yard drive by plowing in from 5-yards out. But the Lions momentum was short lived has two plays following their score Rama would again find Longo this time on a screen and Longo would race 82-yards giving the visitors the 35-6 lead. Rama would add another touchdown pass in the second quarter this time finding Alex Sciarrino on a jump ball from seven yards.

Rama finished his first varsity start completing 14 of his 17 passes for 207 yards.

In the second half the Lions would chip away at the Cougars lead first with Deveyon Fitzgearld intercepting Nate Cain and returning it 30 yards to make it 42-13 after three. Cage would connect with Nick Chelo for a 27-yard strike in the fourth. Cage would finish the game completing 7 of his 17 passes for 76 yards.

Next week the Cougars will finally return home when they host the Harriton Rams while the Lions will make the short trip up I476 and visit the Radnor Raiders. Both games are schedule to kick off at 7 pm.

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