Football: Springfield’s defense helps keep Conestoga at bay

SPRINGFIELD — They’re told not to look past anyone on the schedule. They’re told to respect every opponent. They’re told to focus one week at a time.

Then the band strikes up, the stands fill up, emotions swell up … and, well, can you blame them?

“Butterflies in the locker room beforehand,’ said Springfield defensive back Lucas Spence, “and all week, really.’

Springfield’s offense secured an early two-touchdown cushion and its defense made that lead stand, helping the Cougars knock off Conestoga, 21-12, Friday night in a key Central League matchup of unbeaten teams.

The Cougars (5-0, 4-0) got a pair of first-half touchdowns from quarterback Brian Allen, a 3-yard rush and a 6-yard scoring pass to Quideer Wimes, and a third-quarter TD by Collin Braconnier that rounded out their scoring.

But Springfield’s players on the other side of the ball made the difference against Conestoga (4-1, 3-1). Delaware County’s top rushing defense limited the Pioneers to 68 yards on the ground on 24 carries. The Cougars forced four turnovers — two fumbles and two interceptions. And they stopped four of Conestoga’s five first-half drives with well-timed tackles or turnovers.

“We made so many mistakes in the first half,’ said Conestoga coach John Vogan. “That’s when we lost the game. We made more mistakes in one half than in the first four games total. And when you’re playing a big game against a good team in their house, that’s not how you win.’

Defense has been the calling card for first-year Springfield coach Chris Britton, whose club is allowing only eight points per game. Only one of Conestoga’s first-half possessions ended with a punt. The others stalled out on a variety of big-time plays from Britton and defensive coordinator Joey DiTullio’s stingy unit:

Defensive lineman Matt Cella’s quarterback sack of Tim Miller snarled Conestoga’s first drive. Dan Archibond, a defensive end, forced a fumble and tackle Brian Layden recovered on the Pioneers’ third possession. On Conestoga’s next drive, Springfield cornerback Alex Masino nearly had a pick-six, batting down a ball in open field on a fourth-down conversion gone awry. And Cougars linebacker Adam Krauter pounced on a fumble to bring Conestoga’s painful first half to a close.

“Our linebackers and linemen are top-notch. Everybody knows their role and knows their reads,’ said Spence, whose fourth-quarter interception of Miller iced the game. “Nobody does anything for themselves. It’s all for the unit.

“We just knew we had to do our job and show that we’re legit.’