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2024 Video Snapshot: Springfield

With five consecutive regional titles and three straight state runner-up finishes, Springfield can lay its claim to being the best public school football program in Ohio, at this moment in time. The only thing that the Wildcats have yet to capture is a victory in the state championship game. Springfield has lost to St. Edward in the state finals in each of the last three years. With a ton of returning talent that has been through the wars, the Wildcats are equipped to make another run at bringing home that elusive first state championship trophy.

Division I, Region 2
2023 RECORD: 10-6, 4-3 GWOC; Division I State Runner-up
COACH: Moe Douglass (83-40 at Springfield, 10 years; 184-94 overall, 23 years)

HONOR ROLL
Jackson Heims, Sr, DE/OLB – One of Ohio’s premier edge rushers. Heims recorded 92 total tackles, had nine-and-a-half sacks, 20.5 tackles for losses, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery on his way to OPSWA Division I Second Team All-Ohio, Third Team All-TriState Football and TSF Dayton Defensive Player of the Year finalist honors, as a junior. Heims heads into his senior season with 262 total tackles, 19.5 sacks, 34.5 tackles for losses, three forced fumble and three fumble recoveries in his career. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Heims has offers from Ball State, Charlotte, Duquesne, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH), Kentucky, Kent State, Temple and Toledo.

Zy’Aire Fletcher, Sr, OL/TE – A veteran presence on the o-line, Fletcher will move from right tackle to tight end this fall. He was named Second Team All-GWOC (OL) as a junior. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Fletcher has offers from Bowling Green State, Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State, Temple and Toledo.

Royce Rogers, Jr, OL/DT – A valuable returning starter who will see time in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Rogers was a Second Team All-GWOC (OL) selection as a sophomore. On defense, he had 25 total tackles and six-and-a-half tackles for losses.

Springfield OL/DL Royce Rogers (photo by: Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

Kyron Dolby, Sr, LB – Talk about exploding onto the scene, Dolby did just that in 2023. He recorded 154 total tackles, had four sacks, 17.0 tackles for losses, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions including a pick-six on his way to being named Honorable Mention All-GWOC as a junior.

Jerome Howe, Sr, OL – A versatile big man who can play any of the o-line positions. The 6-foot-3, 277-pound Howe was an Honorable Mention All-GWOC selection last fall. The three-year starter has an offer from Marian.

OTHER RETURNEES
Deontre Long, Jr, RB – Came on strong in the middle of his sophomore year running for 100-yards or more four times in the Wildcats last 12 games. Long finished the season with 899 yards and eight touchdowns rushing. He has an offer from Toledo.

Noah Epperson, Sr, OL – A returning starter who helped pave the way for the Wildcats to average 295.8 yards of total offense per game with 50 touchdowns (33 rush, 17 rec), last fall. Epperson has an offer from Defiance.

Brent Upshaw, Sr, QB – Really settled in, starting in Week 9, helping the Wildcats to a seven-game winning streak before falling in the state title game. Upshaw finished his junior year with 1,457 yards and 13 touchdowns passing.

Quenta Wafer Jr., Sr, DB – Like Dolby, Wafer Jr. busted onto the scene in 2023. He finished the year with 68 total tackles, three-and-a-half tackles for losses, four pass breakups and three interceptions.

Springfield DB Quenta Wafer Jr. (photo by: Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

Brayden Herron, Sr, K – Was clutch down the stretch in 2023, hitting all four of his field goal attempts from the middle of October on. The first of those was a game winner in overtime versus Miamisburg. That was the start of a seven-game winning streak that propelled Springfield to the state title game.

Syncere Keyes, Jr, DB – Will be asked to play a larger load in the secondary. Keyes has 20 total tackles in his career.

Braylon Keyes, So, WR/DB/ATH – A budding star, Keyes will lineup at a myriad of positions this season. He threw for 208 yards, ran for 112 yards, had nine receptions for 65 yards and was in on eight tackles as a freshman. Keyes has offers from Kentucky, UMass and Toledo.

NEWCOMERS
Jamar Montgomery, Sr, WR – A transfer from Centerville, the silky-smooth Montgomery was a OPSWA Division I Second Team All-Southwest District selection a year ago. He has 95 receptions, 929 yards receiving, and six touchdown catches in his career.

Jamison King, Jr, WR/DB – A transfer from Kenton Ridge, King already has two letters. He got his first taste of offense last season with 10 receptions for 88 yards and two scores for the Cougars. King also has 58 total tackles and an interception in his career.

Zayvion Banks, Jr, RB – Back after a year hiatus, Banks will join Long for a formidable one-two punch out of the backfield. He had 19 yards and a touchdown in five games as a freshman.
Breakout Performers for 2024

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(nine appearances, 23-9) – 2023 (State Runner-Up), 2022 (State Runner-Up), 2021 (State Runner-Up), 2020 (Regional Champion), 2019 (Regional Champion), 2018, 2016, 2010, 2009

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – WINTON WOODS  (8-4 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – DeMATHA CATHOLIC (MD)(9-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – TROTWOOD-MADISON (9-3)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – MIAMISBURG (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – at Centerville (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – SPRINGBORO (2-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – WAYNE (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – at Beavercreek (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – FAIRMONT (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – at Northmont (7-5) – 7:00 PM

 

 

 

 

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