Football: For secondary scoring options, Springfield’s defense seems perfect

NEWTOWN SQUARE >> Even in the most special of football seasons, and Springfield keeps digging deeper into one, there will be moments of intense challenge. Philip Shovlin and his fellow Cougars defensive backs were prepared for one Friday night. Aware they would be visiting Marple Newtown and quarterback Anthony Paoletti, Delaware County’s all-time leading passer, Springfield was ready to do what it does best: Swarm in the secondary.

“That’s what we are,” Shovlin said. “We’re ball hawks.”

Building an early lead, then bracing for the Marple Newtown challenge, the Cougars made three of their four interceptions after halftime, including one by Shovlin with 4:31 left to effectively complete a 42-19 victory. By then, Shovlin’s two touchdown runs had begun to help Springfield move to 8-0 overall and 7-0 in the Central League.

“I believe we are the best secondary in Delaware County,” Shovlin said. “They started pounding the ball on us in the second half. We just got a little too comfortable at halftime. But we’re a fourth-quarter team.”

The Cougars established early control, taking a 13-0 lead in the first quarter. After Max DiFonzo blocked a punt to put Springfield in business at the M-N 26, Frank Durham caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Jack Psenicska. Later in the quarter, Ja’Den McKenzie scored the first of his two touchdowns on a six-yard run. The Tigers responded with a 25-yard Luke Ciavardelli field goal in the second, but two Shovlin touchdown blasts in the final 7:54 of the half helped give Springfield 27-3 halftime comfort.

That’s when Marple Newtown responded, relying heavily on the strong running of Marlon Weathers to soften the Cougars, then scoring on Weathers’ seven-yard reception from Paoletti. When Aaron Diamond snagged a two-point conversion pass from Paoletti, the Tigers were within 27-11.

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Springfield running back Philip Shovlin makes a move against Marple Newtown linebacker Luke Jelus during a game at Marple Newtown.. (Special to the Times / ERIC HARTLINE)