Undefeated Springfield 4-0 first time since North and South merged

Unbeaten Springfield (4-0) landed the knockout that reverberated through Greater Western Ohio Conference football last week. How else to explain a historical 49-6 blitz of host Centerville?

Following three straight relatively close defeats of Lancaster, Fairfield and Hudson by a combined 13 points, the Wildcats were at their quick-strike best in shredding the Elks’ usually stingy defense.

» RELATED: Week 5 football power rankings

»RELATED: Area passing leaders through Week 4

Four of Springfield’s scores were from 48 yards or more and all in the first half. That’s the kind of offensive fireworks Wildcats coach Maurice Douglass envisioned when he took over five seasons ago after building Trotwood-Madison into a state power.

“I knew they had the kids (in Springfield),” Douglass said following the program-defining blowout. “It was just getting them all to buy in and be a brotherhood. They’ve gotten it.”

This is the first time Springfield is 4-0 since North and South merged, starting in the 2007 season.

Springfield hits the midway point of the regular season on Friday by hosting Lebanon (3-1) in Week 5. Beavercreek (1-3) is the only team of the remaining six Springfield has yet to play that has a losing record.

» RELATED: Area rushing leaders through Week 4

»RELATED: 3 area teams No. 1 in computer ratings

After Lebanon, Springfield hosts Xenia (3-1), then Northmont (4-0), is at Beavercreek, and finishes the regular season by hosting Wayne (2-2) and Fairmont (3-1) in Weeks 9-10. Matt Hopkins succeeded Shawn Lamb as Lebanon’s new coach. Hopkins previously was an assistant at Eaton.

Springfield senior Isaiah Gibson ranks second in the GWOC with three sacks. He verbally committed to the University of Kentucky this week. Moses Douglass, Maurice’s senior son, previously committed to UK as a defensive back.

»RELATED: OHSAA football computer ratings

• Northwestern (3-1) was the last remaining unbeaten Central Buckeye Conference team after falling 34-14 to Tecumseh in a crossover Week 4 game. The Warriors are at Shawnee (3-1) in another CBC crossover contest on Friday.

Northwestern senior quarterback Chris Hart leads the CBC in passing, completing 61 of 106 attempts (57.5) for 977 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. Warriors sophomore Ben VanNoord also is the No. 1 receiver in the CBC with 21 catches for 452 yards (21.5) and six scores.

»FACEBOOK: For more sports you should like Marc Pendleton

• Kenton Ridge (3-1) has won three straight since being crushed by unbeaten Mechanicsburg (4-0) in the opener, 54-14. Cougars junior receiver Calvin Dibert is third in the CBC with 16 catches for 343 yards (21.4) and four touchdowns.

»TWITTER: You should like @MarcPendleton

• Mechanicsburg posted its third straight shutout in a 7-0 win at Greeneview in a showdown of Ohio Heritage Conference unbeatens. The Indians have allowed just those 14 points to Kenton Ridge in Week 1. Mechanicsburg hosts Madison Plains (0-4) in an OHC crossover game on Friday.

Mechanicsburg junior Mack Delong leads the OHC with four interceptions.

» RELATED: Week 5 football schedule

• Greeneview (3-1) is at Northeastern (1-3). OHC divisional play begins in Week 6 and runs through the end of the regular season. Greeneview junior linebacker Clay Payton leads the OHC with 10 sacks.

About the Author