Kohler’s 4 TDs,

momentum shifts

hurt Blue Devils

By Ryan Buck

sports@vindy.com

LISBON

With a share of the Inter Tri-County League Tier One title on the line Friday, Lisbon had a devil of a time with visiting Springfield.

The Tigers (7-2, 5-1) clinched a share of the league crown with a convincing 48-14 victory over the Blue Devils (6-3, 3-3) at War Memorial Field.

“It’s been 14 years since we’ve had a share of the ITCL title, or even won it [outright],” said Springfield all-purpose demon Ryan Kohler, who scored four touchdowns. “That’s something that my class has been looking forward to our entire careers and it’s been the talk since the beginning of the season. It feels so good to actually be a part of that.”

Springfield capitalized on one momentum-turning play after another in a first half that saw the Tigers roll up 17 first downs, 300 yards of offense and benefit from two game-changing Lisbon turnovers and almost one of their own.

After the Blue Devils withstood a game-opening interception and eventual score and a 47-yard pass from Springfield quarterback Graham Mincher to Kohler, the Blue Devils had a chance to extend a 14-13 lead in the opening minutes of the second quarter.

Lisbon sophomore running back Jason Thompson — whose lightning-fast speed and footwork were already on full display on a 73-yard touchdown run and an 84-yard touchdown reception — set his team up at the Springfield 5-yard line.

On second-and-goal, Thompson bounced out to his left where he was met by Tigers linebacker Ryan Groves at the 3. Seconds after both hit the turf, Tigers defensive back Ian Grdina emerged with the football behind a pair of officials signaling a fumble and giving Springfield the ball at its own 15.

Kohler took a swing pass from Mincher 32 yards to midfield on the next play before a well-executed rollout and double-pump fake from Mincher set Nate Simboli up for a wide-open touchdown down the left sideline to give the Tigers a 20-13 lead with 8:43 left in the first half.

“We just tried to pick up the tempo a little bit,” said Springfield coach Sean Guerriero. “We thought the momentum had changed and it went to our advantage there.”

After Springfield forced a Lisbon punt from midfield on the ensuing drive, the short, bouncing punt was picked up by Lisbon’s Austin Rutecki when the Blue Devils appeared to have capitalized on a muffed punt.

The euphoria brought on by Rutecki’s jaunt into the end zone was short-lived as the officials gave the Tigers the ball back without a detailed explanation.

Mincher found Simboli again for 32 yards to the 1-yard-line and on third-and-goal, Kohler jumped and reached the ball over the goalline. With 1:49 left in the half, Springfield had pushed a potential eight-point deficit into a 13-point lead.

“There’s two calls — I don’t know — the ball bounced into the end zone and I couldn’t tell, “ said Lisbon coach Jim Tsilimos. “I’ve got to watch the tape to make a comment, so I’m not going to comment [yet].”

Brandon Chamberlain intercepted Josh Liberati at midfield on Lisbon’s next possession. Kohler took a draw-counter 21 yards for a touchdown to close a dominating second quarter.

Kohler caught his second touchdown pass of the game from Mincher on the Tigers’ first second-half drive to put them ahead 41-14.

South Range visits Springfield Friday with the outright ITCL title on the line.