TriStateFootball.com
Home / Dayton / Preview: Springfield vs. St. Edward

Preview: Springfield vs. St. Edward

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

It’s a very rare opportunity when you get a second chance to be the best by beating the best. That is the position Springfield finds itself in as the Wildcats get a rematch of last seasons Division I state championship game with St. Edward. The Eagles won that affair and the title, 23-13. Coming away with a victory in this contest will be more than well-earned. Both teams return many of their top players from a year ago and have more depth to compliment those veterans. This game has all the ingredients to be an “instant classic,” one for the ages.

SPRINGFIELD WILDCATS (13-1) vs. ST. EDWARD EAGLES (14-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., December 2, 2022
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium; Canton, Ohio
Follow on Twitter: @TSFootball

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Call them the “Four Horsemen of the Receiving Apocalypse.” Springfield seniors Anthony Brown, Daylen Bradley, Shawn Thigpen and junior Da’Shawn Martin have rained terror on opposing defensive backfields all season long. Brown, a University of Kentucky commit, has 75 receptions for 1,543 yards and 20 touchdowns. Bradley has 90 receptions for 1,300 yards and seven scores. Martin and Thigpen, a Bowling Green recruit, each have seven touchdown catches. Every member of the quartet has at least 1,000 yards and 10 touchdown receptions in their careers. Quarterback Bryce Schondelmeyr has hit his “Horsemen” 69.8% of the time while throwing for 4,424 yards and 47 touchdowns.

Jaivian Norman, a four-year starter is the unequivocal leader of the Wildcats defense. The Eastern Michigan commit has 361 total tackles, 13.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three interceptions in his career. Junior Aaron Scott has a team high five picks, returning two of them for touchdowns.

St. Edward is ginormous up front and will be that way for at least the next couple of years. Juniors Ben Roebuck (6-7/320), Deontae Armstrong (6-7/270) and Devontae Armstrong (6-5.5/283) all have big time Power 5 offers. Running behind those behemoths is Marvin Bell, Jr. and quarterback Casey Bullock.  Bell Jr. has 1,711 yards and 25 touchdowns rushing. Bullock is nearing 2,000 yards passing and is just shy of 1,000 yards rushing.

The St. Edward defense is led by 2022 OPSWA Northeast Lakes District Defensive Player of the Year and Coastal Carolina commit, Wyatt Gedeon and Northwestern recruit Michael Kilbane. Gedeon has recorded double-digital sacks. Sophomore linebacker Nate Gregory is a rising star.

TEAM TRENDS: This is the sixth time since 2010 that Springfield head coach Moe Douglass has taken a team to the state title game (with eight regional championships in that span). He won it all with his alma mater, Trotwood-Madison in 2011 (Division II).

Springfield hasn’t had a player run for more than 100 yards since Week 7 at Centerville when Jayvin Norman posted 114 yards. It was the only performance of the season in which a Wildcat has churned out more than 100 yards on the ground.

St. Edward is looking for back-to-back state championships for the second time (2014-’15) and its sixth title in school history. This the Eagles ninth appearance in the finale and 12th time they have made it to the final four.

St. Edward saw four of its five games decided by four points or less (wins by three, three and four) including a three-point loss to Massillon Washington in Week 5. The Eagles only defeat of the year. Since that point St. Edward’s has won 10 in a row, nine of those by 17 points or more. They beat Moeller, 6-0 in the other triumph.

HEAD COACHES:
Springfield: Maurice Douglass (73-33 at Springfield, ninth year; 174-87 overall, 22nd year)

St. Edward: Tom Lombardo (90-15 at St. Edward, eighth year; 179-53 overall, 19th year)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Springfield (eighth appearance, 18-7) – 2022 (Regional Champion), 2021 (State Runner-Up), 2020 (Regional Champion), 2019 (Regional Champion), 2018, 2016, 2010, 2009

St. Edward (28th appearance, 58-22) – 2022, (Regional Champion), 2021 (State Champion), 2020, 2019, 2018 (1st), 2017, 2016, 2015 (State Champion), 2014 (State Champion), 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 (State Champion), 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 (State Runner-Up), 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1987,

1986 (State Runner-Up), 1985, 1984, 1976, 1975(State Runner-Up)

SPRINGFIELD’S KEYS TO VICTORY: This could come down to who has the ball last. Springfield likes its game-breakers and the options they offer, if that becomes the case. The defense needs to come up with some takeaways and force many three-and-outs. Get off the field and give the Wildcats high octane offense the opportunities to do their thing as much as possible.

EDWARD’S KEYS TO VICTORY: It is an act of attrition in the trenches for the Eagles. With their size up front St. Edward will look to wear down Springfield using the game clock in their favor. If they can’t establish the run, it could be a long night for the Wildcats. Bullock’s legs will be a big factor in keeping the Wildcats honest on defense.

Prediction: Springfield 28, St. Edward 27, OT

You must be logged in to post a comment Login