Springfield Keeps Rolling Cruises Past Phoenixville

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, Playoffs

Willie McGonigle | November 5, 2022

SPRINGFIELD: Since dropping their third game in a row back in September things have turned around greatly for the Springfield Cougars entering Friday’s District 1 5A First round game the Cougars rolled off five consecutive victories while averaging 35.4 points per game during that span. Friday night things continued to go well for the seventh seed Cougars has they cruised to 42-7 victory over the tenth seed Phoenixville Phantoms in the first home playoff in the Cougars first home playoff in the new Cougar Stadium which opened during the 2020 Covid season.

After the Phantoms won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half the Cougars took the ball and marched right down field going 64-yards on eight plays mainly on the ground, but the Cougars took to the air to start the scoring facing a fourth-down at the Phantoms 27 yard-line Jake Rama connected with Mike O’Donnell for the 27-yard touchdown.

After their defense forced a Phantoms turnover on downs on their opening possession the Cougars took over at Phantoms 35. Six plays later Nate Romano bullied his way into the endzone from 2-yards out and the Cougars extended their lead to 14-0.

Cougars would extend their lead on their next possession when Rama connected with Ryan Johnson from 16-yards out.

The Phantoms defense would get them on the board on the next Cougars possession with the Cougars driving in Phantoms territory Ahmid Spivey intercepted Rama and off the speed racer went down the Phantoms sideline for the 70-yard interception return for a touchdown. But the Cougars responded on their next drive needing only three plays for Rama to find Aidan Kreydt for a 38-yard touchdown to put the Cougars up 28-7 at intermission.

After the Phantoms turned the ball over on downs to open the second half the Cougars needed just three plays to extend their lead to 35-7 when O’Donnell used his legs for a 32-yard touchdown. O’Donnell finished the game with 102 yards rushing on 5 carries. Ryan Whitaker capped the scoring with his one-yard sneak in the fourth quarter.

Offensively the Phantoms who were without QB Ty Romance then lost back up QB Talon Romance in the first half were led by Jr. RB Sam Moore who finished the game with 42 yards on 15 carries.

With the victory the Cougars advance to the quarterfinals of the District 1 5A tournament where they will look to get revenge for one of their three loses this season when they travel to Wallingford to take on the second seeded and defending District Champions Strath Haven. Kick-off will be Friday November 11 at 7pm

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