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By Jeff Kessinger (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Forget arms, legs, hands and feet. It was the eyes that made the difference for Reeds Spring in a 28-15 win at Springfield Catholic Sept. 27.
After surrendering two long touchdowns in the first quarter, the Wolves’ defense regrouped to shut out Catholic the rest of the way to secure the win.
“Catholic had a couple of big plays and a lot of that was we kind of had our eyes in the wrong spot and they got by us,” Reeds Spring coach Lance Gosch said. “But our kids did a good job of settling down and getting where their eyes need to be. They played hard and they played well. It was fun tonight.”
The game turned around on a pick 6 by freshman linebacker Adam Lewis. With Catholic leading 15-14 early in the second quarter, the Wolves’ pup picked off Will Squibb and followed his blockers for a 45-yard touchdown and a 21-15 Reeds Spring lead.
“The defensive linemen were putting on pressure, he threw the ball short and I tipped it and grabbed it,” Lewis said. “I had a great block by Nate Cerney on the edge and just took it. I was hoping my teammates were going to get that block for me, and they did. I was very grateful for that.
Gosch said he knew he was going to have to play some freshmen on defense this year. They have risen to the occasion.
“(Lewis) has played well all year,” Gosch said. “We’ve got a couple of (freshmen) on the defensive side and they’ve both been playing really well, so that’s been a big plus for us.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Allen’s interception was the first of three by the Reeds Spring defense. Junior Matt Alison and Cerney, a senior, also picked off passes.
“We’ve had a couple of interceptions this season, but not in bunches like this,” Gosch said. “Our kids had their eyes in the right spot and our defensive line did a good job getting some pressure.”
That wasn’t necessarily the case early. Catholic (3-2) struck twice in the game’s first seven minutes. A 53-yard rumble by Matthew Schmitling gave Catholic a 7-0 lead. A 40-yard bomb from Squibb to Zach Gebhard pushed the Irish edge to 15-7. But that was their last score of the night. After converting twice on third down to open the game, Catholic was 1-for-9 the rest of the evening.
In fact, that game-turning interception came on a 3rd-and-8.
“You’ve got to give Reeds Spring credit. They played tough defense and did a good job,” Catholic coach Steve Hancock said. “We had our opportunities but didn’t capitalize on them. They capitalized on their opportunities.”
Schmittling finished the game with 96 rushing yards on 11 carries to lead the Irish. Gebhard hauled in five passes for 115 yards.
Reeds Spring didn’t put up eye-popping offensive numbers, though Cramblett ended his night with 32 carries for 109 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Wolves’ punter also recovered a bobbled snap and got off a beautiful kick, flipping the field and preventing a potential Catholic touchdown.
“I tried to pick it up with one hand, but it bounced over,” Cramblett said. “I scooped it up and kicked it right away. I was super lucky. I didn’t panic, though. I knew what I had to do.”
It’s been an up-and-down season for Reeds Spring (3-2). The Wolves were hit hard by injuries and dropped a 30-0 decision to Mount Vernon in week four. But they learned from that loss.
“Last week we were not in it at all,” Cramblett said. “But tonight we bonded a little bit better on the bus ride up and even during practice this week. I think we’ve gotten closer as a team.”
Adversity can do that to a pack of Wolves.
“That’s the kids sticking together. Anyone we roll in, we know they’re going to play hard,” Gosch said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more proud of a group than this group, just because of the adversity we had last week. To stick together, have the week that we’ve had, then come out and do what we did tonight, it was fun.”
But?
“Now the key is to realize this is just one,” Gosch continued. We’ll enjoy it tonight, then get back to work and hopefully get this feeling again.”
Catholic hits the road next week, visiting Aurora. Reeds Spring returns to Carl Langley Field to host Tri-Lakes rival Hollister.
