2017 Video Snapshot: Springfield

When head coach Moe Douglass took over the Springfield job he said it would take four years to get the program where he wanted it. That time has come and with the Wildcats coming off of their first playoff appearance in six seasons, Douglass has his team oozing with confidence and ready to make noise in November.

“We’re excited about the continued progress of our program. We’ll be mentally tough,” Douglass says. Springfield has the off field intangibles going in its favor and that starts with their team chemistry and accountability. All these Wildcats are concerned about on Friday nights is racking up the “W’s” and everyone is going to play a part in that happening.

Division I, Region 3
2016 RECORD: 7-4, 3-1 GWOC National East
COACH:  Moe Douglass (12-19 at Springfield, three years; 113-74 overall, 16 years)

HONOR ROLL
Leonard Taylor, Sr, QB/TE/DE – Dedicated himself to getting lean this offseason dropping 35 pounds. He now stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 230 pounds. Taylor was named Second Team All-Southwest District as a junior. In his career, he has done a little bit of everything, throwing for 734 yards, rushing for 153 yards, catching nine passes for 113 yards, accounting for 23 touchdowns (12 rushing, eight passing, two receiving, one interception return), tallying 82 total tackles, with six sacks, a fumble recovery and two interceptions in a Wildcats uniform. Taylor’s offers include Oklahoma, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisville and Alabama.

Cameron Hoelscher, Sr, ILB – The transfer from Springfield Shawnee had little problem adjusting to Division I football. He recorded 88 total tackles, with six sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery on his way to Special Mention All-Southwest District honors as a junior. Hoelscher has verbally committed to Army.

Moses Douglass, Jr, DB – Went down with a broken leg in game two last fall. Look for a breakout campaign from Douglass who already has offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Iowa, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio U., Purdue and Syracuse.

Springfield DB Moses Douglass (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Isaiah Gibson, Jr, OL/DL – The big man is the anchor of the offensive and defensive lines. He was a Special Mention All-GWOC National East (OL) performer as a sophomore. Gibson has offers from Kentucky, Cincinnati, Louisville, Toledo, Ohio U. and Bowling Green.

Brennan Hess, Sr, OT/DE – A rock solid player up front on both sides of the ball. Hess was a Special Mention All-GWOC East selection as a junior.

Quincy Scott, Sr, CB – A vital cog in a loaded secondary. Scott was a Special Mention All-GWOC East selection as a junior.

OTHER RETURNEES
Experience looms large on this squad with seniors DB Jah Echols, DB Jacob Yost, CB William Finch, WR Niko Jones and OL Austin Garza all returning as  starters. Yost has been in on 113 total tackles in his career. Garza has all-district talent.

NEWCOMERS
A cast of new faces looking to make their mark on the varsity scene include the 6-foot-7, 304 pound OL Collen Withrow, a pair of juniors, OLB Raheem Moss, TB/OLB CJ McDavid along with sophomores TB/ILB Ta’vion Smoot, WR Larry Stephens, ATH Jeff Tolliver and DE Zerrion Exon. Stephens already has an offer from Kentucky.

Springfield WR Caleb Johnson (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

TRANSFERS
Depth and competition will be bolstered with the addition of a quartet of transfers in seniors WR Caleb Johnson, QB Tyler Carter, TB Todd King and sophomore OG/NG Alex Temple. Johnson had 107 receptions for 1,509 yards, 2,063 all-purpose yards, 19 receiving touchdowns and one punt return for a score in his three seasons at Trotwood-Madison. He has offers from Bowling Green, Western Michigan, Ohio U., Eastern Michigan and Toledo.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(three appearances, 1-3) – 2016, 2010, 2009