Tigers play well against 'Devils

Anthony Warren had 141 yards on 22 carries and also ran for a TD.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
McDONALD -- After McDonald's opening drive, when the Blue Devils came up empty trying to score from the 20-yard line, everything seemed to be uphill for Springfield High.
Springfield out-gained McDonald, 343-201, and won the war of the trenches in the Inter-County League battle that spoiled the Blue Devils' homecoming, 20-6.
Quarterback Andrew Schuler, fullback Anthony Warren and halfback Andy Richey scored on short touchdown runs for the Tigers (5-1, 2-1).
Springfield coach John Smith said the early defensive stand reaffirmed his belief in the unit.
"We felt very confident because, early in the season, our defense was bend, bend, bend, don't break. We put an emphasis on defense the last two games and it's been a positive showing against the run. It starts with the front eight."
Compliments of several stops on fourth down in the first half, the Tigers were able to hold McDonald scoreless until the last 3 1/2 minutes.
"When your corners [Jeremy Delvaux and Mike Kampfer] and safety [Andy Richey] don't have to play the run, then we'll be there to defend the pass and not worry about play-action," Smith said of those secondary players who concentrated on McDonald's receivers.
"We wanted to stop their run and force them to pass. We wanted to put the game into that sophomore's hands [QB Matt Krumpak] and force him to pass."
As a result, Krumpak managed only 13-of-28 passes for 115 yards. In addition, the Blue Devils were held to only 86 yards on the ground.
Identified tendency
With its front eight successful stopping the run, Springfield's secondary didn't have to play on its heels.
"We felt McDonald had tendencies to hit big play-action passes," Smith said. "We knew that going in, so it followed suit and we were prepared for it."
Of Springfield's 202 rushing yards, Warren had 141 on 22 carries while Richey picked up 61 on 11 attempts.
Andrew Schuler, a senior, completed 7-of-13 for 143 yards. Mike Kampfer caught three passes for 85 yards, while Nathan Schuler, a sophomore, had two receptions for 41 yards.
Freshman Bryan Visingardi kicked off for the first time in a varsity game. He also booted two extra points, a role he's had since early in the season.
McDonald (4-2, 1-2) attempted 25 rushing plays. Josh Joynes had seven catches for 62 yards while Joe Witkoski also had seven receptions for 33 yards. Joynes had the Blue Devils' lone touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Krumpak.
Adding to the pain for McDonald was the absence of Matt Firment, not playing due to injury.
Worked the area
"We felt we could take advantage in the secondary of Firment not playing," Smith said. "We took advantage of it early, but our offensive linemen and tight end did outstanding."
It helped that the Tigers didn't turn the ball over except for Kirk Manofsky's interception of a Schuler pass before halftime.
"They got more aggesssive as we got closer," McDonald coach Dan Williams said of Springfield's toughness inside the red zone.
"We tried to run the ball in there a couple times early and didn't do much. So we had to go to the air. That's when they covered our people. They've got good athletes and good skill kids and it showed. We have good skill kids, too, but we just didn't get people open."
Williams didn't think the void left by Firment was to blame.
"Right from the get-go, I think they knew about him, but it was the combination of a lot of things. We were inside the 20 four or five times and couldn't get points out of it. You've got to finish drives."
bassetti@vindy.com