Ground Game Carries Haverford over Springfield

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, pfn

Willie McGonigle | September 11, 2022

Springfield’s Aidan Kreydt hauls in a Jake Rama pass has Haverford’s Ben Fleming makes the tackle

SPRINGFIELD: Entering Friday night’s Central League contest against the winless Haverford Fords the Springfield Cougars were averaging 269 yards rushing per game. The visiting Fords came out and gave the Cougars defense a dose of the medicant that the Cougars offense has been dosing out amassing 249 yards on the ground to help pave the way to picking up their first victory of the season downing the Cougars 28-13.

Running behind an offensive line consisting of Tommy Touhill, Henry Gillespie, Derek Kaercher, Julien Burke, Tommy Dixon, Will Cascarina and Justin Marciano the Fords offense had 24 of their 40 carries go for five or more yards. Sophomore Zeke Bates picked up 127 yards on 24 carries.

The Fords took the opening drive 61-yards on nine plays with the driving ending with a Tommy Wright sneak from a yard out.

The Cougars offense responded right back driving down to the Fords 6-yard line where they turned the ball over on downs coming a yard short of picking up the first down. The Fords ensuing drive would end when Chris Dolan intercepted Wright.

The Cougars took the ensuing drive 55-yards on 12 plays that ended with Ty Gougler taking it in the endzone from two-yards out. The Fords would jump offsides on the extra point attempt and the Cougars elected to go for two, but Gougler was stopped short of the goal line allowing the Fords to hold onto their 7-6 lead.

The Fords responded on their next drive going 70-yards on 11 plays ending with Wright sneaking it in from a yard out giving the Fords the 14-6 halftime lead.

The Cougars came out of the intermission and put together a 13-play drive that saw them reach midfield before being forced to punt.

The Fords took their opening drive on the second half and drove 79-yards on 10 plays ending with Bates finding the endzone from 12-yards out giving them the 21-6 lead.

The Cougars cut the Fords lead down to 21-13 with 8:30 left in the game when Jake Rama connected with Ryan Johnston for 20-yard touchdown that capped a 12-play 84-yard drive.

The Fords put the game out of reach for the when Wright took to the air and connected with Ethan Mahan from 14-yards out to make it 28-13.

The Fords will look to pick up their second straight victory when they travel to Conestoga on Friday night with kick off set for 7pm. The Cougars will look to get back on the winning travel track when they travel to Strath Haven to take on the undefeated Panthers.

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