Beatles tribute concert
Flying Circus preview
2010 Butler County Fair
Prep Football Springfield 18, Vandalia Butler 17
First win a thriller for Wildcats
Freshman QB Walker rallies Springfield in second half
»How many games will the Wildcats win this season?
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Erick Collins (24) of Springfield High School pursues Conner Trentman (17) of Butler High School during Friday's game at Evans Stadium in Springfield on September 5, 2008. SPRINGFIELD — It had to be this way.
Nothing came easy for the Springfield High School football team as it prepared for its inaugural 2008 season. Not the weight training sessions at two high schools, not the learning of new schemes, not the selling of a merged program to a skeptical community.
And so it had to be that in the Wildcats' first win, a come-from-behind 18-17 squeaker at Evans Stadium against Vandalia Butler on Friday, Sept. 5, nothing was easy.
The Wildcats fell behind early. They lost three fumbles in the first quarter. They had two first downs in the first half.
The defense, as hard-hitting as it was, gave up a few critical big plays. Head coach Rick Robertson called the first half "the worst half I've ever seen in my life. And at my age, that's saying something."
Then George Walker took over.
The Wildcats' freshman quarterback, making his first varsity start, passed for 204 yards and one touchdown, rushed for 66 yards and gave the offense the spark it lacked in the first two games. The Wildcats scored all of their points in the fourth quarter, including Walker's 42-yard go-ahead pass to Josh Bass with 2:55 left in the game.
Walker said he's never passed for that many yards in his short football career, going all the way back to youth football leagues.
"I was just trying to get it to my players," Walker said. "My line was blocking for me, and I did my best to get the wide receivers the ball."
Walker found a seam in the Butler (0-3) secondary and he exploited it with 142 passing yards in the second half.
The offense found its rhythm at the end of the third quarter. After Walker took the Wildcats to the 5-yard line, Jordan Moore scored with 11:24 left in the game.
Following an interception by Hayden Davis, Zack Burks completed a 41-yard score to Byron Thompson on a double-pass trick play. The Wildcats trailed 17-12 with 10:28 remaining.
The teams traded punts, then traded turnovers, before Walker's first TD pass of his career. Springfield (1-2) could finally celebrate when Walker took a knee at the 1-yard line in the final minute, and the Wildcats gave a collective victory yell.
Robertson was pleased with the victory, but was also frazzled by the way it happened.
"This is kinda neat," Robertson said of the comeback, "but I don't want to do it again."
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0366 or bplasters@coxohio.com.
Comments
By Concerned Alumni
September 18, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Ok this really ticks me off! For all of you who want to sit here and bad talk why don’t you go do something with yourself like screw yourself! I played football for Springfield South a few years back and it is the greatest thing what high school football does to a kid! The lack of support from douches like you is what keeps the team from believing they can do better and trust me I know. If you can’t be happy for the first win then suck it up and find something better to do with your time!
By nascar
September 11, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
No i dont think they win more than 2 games this year. I quit going to games because suck, n they will always suck. S**t a peewee football can beat them. I laugh every time they play. Who n the hell cares. Lost interest in the babified so called wildcats.
By nascar
September 11, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
No i dont think they win more than 2 games this year. I quit going to games because suck, n they will always suck. S**t a peewee football can beat them. I laugh every time they play. Who n the hell cares. Lost interest in the babified so called wildcats.
By deb
September 11, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
YOU GO JAMES!!!
By rob
September 9, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
1 or 2 more.
By james
September 9, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Hey Marty, why is the enrollment at SHS almost 2500 when North had 1200 kids, south had 800 if people are leaving Springfield City ASAP as you claim?
You have no clue what you are talking about.
and for those who don’t want their kids to go here…good, take em’ we don’t want them and their negative parents here anyway.
By coach HOT WHEELS
September 8, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
hey you all i played for pete roberts at kifer jr high with guy victoria and coached little tigers/springfield tigers i coach high school ball in fla since 86. I/WE COACHES DREAMED OF BOTH NORTH SOUTH COMBINING, HELL GIVE COACH RICK A CHANCE RECALL MILLER/WALLACE AND OTHER GREAT PLAYERS CAME OUT OF TIGERS/REDSKINS PROGRAMS/ HEY CHRIS AND I WOULD HAVE RETURNED HOME FROM FLA TO COACH…….. BUT COME ON LETS UNITE BEHIND COACH RICK!~ COACH HOT WHEELS STILL COACHING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IN FLA
By LizardKing Lives
September 7, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
It is good they got a W, but I still think they will be lucky to get a 3 Ws this year.I played for robertson, he is a great coach, but you still can not combined 2 losing programs and expect to produce a winning program.It takes years of support from the administration and community and they right coaches.This should be a new start but the only change is robertson,you still have the losing coaches from the past in charge of the Off/Def.
By marty
September 7, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
All of the posts after mine echo the same thing: who cares?
People are leaving the Springfield school system ASAP. They could care less about sports & more about their kids getting an education.
By darrell
September 7, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
STOP WHINING abouth the merger. It’s done it is fact. These kids have worked hard to be a combined team. They are no longer a team from North and South, they are the team from Springfield. Sure they need alittle more experence but they will get better. GO WILDCATS
By lee
September 7, 2008 6:04 AM | Link to this
gee antonio, i’m a little older than you are and OF COURSE i know that springfield high’s original colors were purple and gold and that they were known as the wildcats. my “ignorant” point was that i wasnt happy about north’s heritage being ignored, if you’d take the time to read my post again.
By Antonio
September 7, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this
And in response to lee’s post below: the original Springfield High School was nicknamed the Wildcats and their colors were gold and blue. Learn the facts before you make ignorant comments.
By Antonio
September 7, 2008 5:44 AM | Link to this
Seriously, is this all you people have to do with your lives is put down this community because it hasn’t been up to par in the last 10 years? Especially on a message board!? I went to North and although we weren’t as successful on the field as I’d have hoped, I have no regrets playing. It was a good experience. The merger was the best thing that could’ve happened to the town. It will only help bring the community together.
By lee
September 7, 2008 4:58 AM | Link to this
what a pack of morons. no wonder i left springfield 30 years ago and havent had one moment of regret. i went to north, wasnt happy about the merger or the choice to go with south’s colors and nickname but that’s what you have. you need to support these kids. get behind them. congratulations to coach robertson and the springfield high wildcats.
By george-ann
September 6, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
first off you shouldnt say things like that its not the kids your mad at so why are yall talking down i think that there going to show more progess as they play more games and by the way you two are ignorant individuals and need to watch what you say. My little brother is george and he plays a good game hes only 14 playing varsity but if those boys see what you put on here there feelings is going to be hurt.
By LizardKing Lives
September 6, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
They will win 3 games and by the way Spfld City Schools is horrible and should be taken over by the state because of incompetence at the administration level.I use to teach in district and the administration does not support the creation of a quality learning environment.Sorry this is about FB and the Wildcats will be lucky to get 3 W’s.W/ the current ADs the enitre program is doomed…fired them and hire some Winners…or dont field a team and save the taxpayers some money.
By deb
September 6, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
It’s people like you 2 that won’t help give any support to these kids. I’m tired of people looking down on Springfield City schools. These are smart kids who are really trying (no thanks to you.)
By Feel the same way
September 6, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Agree with Marty! Don’t want my kid going there & not interested in what goes on there.
By marty
September 6, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Who cares?