TriStateFootball.com
Home / Dayton / 2022 Snapshot: Springfield

2022 Snapshot: Springfield

Springfield WR Anthony Brown (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

There is only one piece of unfinished business for the senior class at Springfield and that is winning a state championship. The Wildcats have won three consecutive regional titles and finished state runner-up a year ago. The Class of 2023 has plenty of motivation and they are zoned in on the team motto, “Run It Back 2022.”

When asked what the strengths of his team were, head coach Moe Douglass replied, “team experience and accountability!” The latter says it all about where the Wildcats focus is centered and where their heads are at, as the season approaches. Springfield is locked in!

Division I, Region 2
2021 RECORD: 13-2, 6-1 GWOC; Division I State Runner-up
COACH: Moe Douglass (60-32 at Springfield, eight years; 162-87 overall, 21 years)

HONOR ROLL
Jaivian Norman, Sr, ILB – The heart-and-and-soul of the Wildcats defense and a four-year starter. Norman was outstanding as a junior recording 95 total tackles, 10.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception on his way OPSWA Division I First Team All-Ohio honors. Committed to Eastern Michigan, Norman has 241 total tackles (111 solo), 11.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and three takeaways (one FR, two INTs) in his career.

Springfield ILB Jaivin Norman (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

Anthony Brown, Sr, WR/DB – One of the nation’s premier receivers. The speedy Brown was named OPSWA Division I Honorable Mention All-Ohio as a junior after catching 57 balls for 822 yards and seven touchdowns. The Kentucky commit has 99 receptions, 1,693 yards receiving, 2,056 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns (16 rec, two rush, one KR, one PR) in his career.

Tyron Barnes, Sr, CB – Had a breakout season on defense in 2021. Barnes tallied 53 total tackles with a sack, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He was named Second Team All-GWOC (LB) for his efforts. Barnes has an offer from Purdue.

Shawn Thigpen, Sr, WR – A long, lanky target at 6-foot-4, Thigpen is a difficult matchup for defensive backs. He was named Second Team All-GWOC a year ago. Thigpen has 73 receptions, 1,015 yards receiving and eight touchdowns in his career. His offers include Akron, BGSU, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Miami (OH), Ohio, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee Tech and Toledo.

Jayvin “Bay Bay” Norman, Jr, TB – Will be the Wildcats go-to guy running the ball this fall. Norman ran for 512 yards and four touchdowns on his way to Special Mention All-GWOC accolades as a sophomore.

Aaron Scott, Jr, CB – One of America’s top defensive backs in the Class of 2024. Scott was a Special Mention All-GWOC selection last fall. He has offers from Boston College, BGSU, Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, UMass, Miami (OH), Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Pitt, Toledo, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.

Springfield DB Aaron Scott (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

OTHER RETURNEES
Daylen Bradley, Sr, WR – Emerged as a legitimate threat at receiver during the playoffs a year ago. Bradley reeled in 25 of his 44 catches, had 398 of his 741 yards receiving and four of his five touchdown catches during the postseason. He has offers from UMass and Wittenberg.

Tawfig Jabbar, Sr, OLB – A returning starter who moves to outside linebacker this fall. Jabbar registered 40 total tackles, had two-and-a-half-sacks and an interception in 2021. He has an offer from Notre Dame College.

Teryon Holt, Sr, FS – Brings senior leadership to the secondary. Holt’s confidence should be soaring after playing very well in last season’s state title game.

Kevin Fair, Jr, LB – He may not get the fanfare that his teammates receive but Fair is integral part of the Springfield defense. Last season, in his first year as starter Fair recorded 55 total tackles, had three sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Jackson Heims, So, DE – Friday night lights weren’t too bright for Heims as a freshman. He was in on 63 total tackles and had three-and-a-half sacks. It’s scary to think about just how good Heims, who has an offer from Kentucky, is going to be over the next three seasons.

Springfield DE Jackson Heims (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

NEWCOMERS
The defense line will look to senior DL Gamar Talley, junior DL Isaiah Banks and sophomore DE/OLB Zy’Aire Fletcher to provide depth and quality snaps in the trenches. Fletcher has an offer from Kentucky.

All eyes are on a trio of sophomore offensive linemen and their development, OL Jerome Howe, OL Jaeshaun Ferryman and OL Noah Epperson. “We have youth and size on the offensive line that has given us great effort thus far,” Douglass says.

Four very accomplished (all at lower division levels) transfers should pay big dividends in the Wildcats quest for their first state crown. Senior QB Bryce Schondelmyer was named the OPSWA Ohio Division VI Co-Offensive Player of the Year last season at Arcanum. He was also named OPSWA Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons. Over the past two campaigns, Schondelmyer has thrown for 5,922 yards, ran for 1,293 yards and accounted for 102 touchdowns (81 pass, 21 rush). His offers include Dayton, Valparaiso and Walsh.

Senior DL/ILB Nesta Owens was named OPSWA Division III Second Team All-Ohio after getting in on 113 total tackles with eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries for Chaminade Julienne a year ago. Owens, who just turned 17 this summer, has offers from Purdue, Tiffin, Ohio Dominican and Central State.

Junior FS Tyrone Myers comes up the street from Catholic Central where he was named OPSWA Ohio Division VII Third Team All-Ohio at quarterback. Myers will move into the secondary for the Wildcats. In two seasons as a varsity starter Myers threw for 2,720 yards, ran for 568 yards and accounted for 32 touchdowns (26 pass, six rec). Joining Myers is former Fighting Irish classmate and teammate the explosive WR/DB Da’Shawn Martin. In 16 career games, Martin has 21 receptions for 466 yards (22.2/rec.), three touchdowns, 56 total tackles and eight interceptions including three pick-sixes.

Springfield WR Shawn Thigpen (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(seven appearances, 13-7) – 2021 (State Runner-up), 2020 (Regional Champion), 2019 (Regional Champion), 2018, 2016, 2010, 2009

2022 SCHEDULE
Sa – 08/20/22 – at St. Ignatius (8-5 in 2021) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/26/22 – OPEN – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/02/22 – TROTWOOD-MADISON (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/09/22 – WAYNE (8-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/16/22 – at Beavercreek (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/23/22 – FAIRMONT (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/30/22 – SPRINGBORO (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/07/22 – at Centerville (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/14/22 – MIAMISBURG (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/21/22 – at Northmont (3-7) – 7:00 PM

 

 

You must be logged in to post a comment Login