SPRINGFIELD TIGERS

Springfield doesn’t have too many questions to answer in 2016, but they’re big ones.

The first one: Can the Tigers find more success in close games? Springfield went 4-6 last year and lost three games by single digits. There was the 9-7 loss to Western Reserve in Week 4, a 23-17 loss to South Range in Week 6 and a 28-27 defeat to Crestview in Week 9. Considering that seven of the 10 teams Springfield played last year made the playoffs, the Tigers’ record isn’t bad. But with seven experienced players on offense and 10 on defense coming back, more is expected.

“I think we need to be more consistent,” senior running back Frankie Centofanti said. “I think the seniors will take a lot of responsibility and come through in those big moments like we didn’t last year.”

The big newcomer for the Tigers is former Poland head coach Mark Brungard, who comes to Springfield to coach his son, sophomore quarterback Brannon Brungard.

Tigers head coach Sean Guerriero is accustomed to having former head coaches on his staff which includes former Salem coach Bill Miller. Plus, Guerriero and Brungard already have a history of working together.

“He had me as a player my senior year, then I went and coached eighth grade hoops with him — it had to be 2002 or 2003 — and now we’ve switched roles,” Guerierro said. “I think he [is enjoying] the assistant’s role, he’s added a lot to our staff with his experience.

“Our staff works well together, no one really has an ego and we’re just trying to get our kids in good position to win football games,” Guerriero said.

To win games, they’ve got to answer one more question: who’s replacing Graham Mincher?

OFFENSE

Mincher was The Vindicator’s 2015-16 male athlete of the year as a three-sport star and the Tigers have a two quarterbacks vying for his spot. Junior Brandon Walters and Brungard have different styles, but have an equal shot at the job. Walters is more of a scrambler while Brungard is a pocket passer.

Whomever gets the job will be surrounded by experienced players. Regardless of who starts, the offense will largely be the same as the one in 2015. Springfield runs a power spread that may have more two-back sets and a tight end will be more involved to compensate for the uncertainty under center.

Centofanti comes back as the starting running back. On the line, Russell Seymour returns as a four-year starter and junior Ryan Thompson is another key contributor. Senior Gabe Barnard switches from full back to tight end and there’s plenty of bodies at wideout to replace Mincher’s top target, Cody Allen. Seniors Jake Ford and Ethan Nezbeth have experience at wideout and should Walters miss out of the quarterback job, he can catch passes as well.

DEFENSE

Thompson and Seymour are mainstays on the defensive line in Springfield’s 3-4 defense. The Tigers are rich at linebacker with Barnard and Nezbeth, along with Joey Santangelo and Ryan Del Signore. Walters, Centofanti and Ford make up the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Senior Patrick Flara will handle the kicking duties and Centofanti will be the primary kick returner.

OUTLOOK

Springfield once again faces a schedule stocked with playoff teams. The Tigers’ first four games are all against such opponents. With the Inter Tri-County League Red Tier looking very competitive in its final year, there’s little room for error.

“Our conference is tough with Crestview and South Range, and East Palestine won it last year,” Guerriero said. “If you’re not ready every week, you’re going to lose some football games.