Football: Springfield’s strength, speed ends Dublin Coffman’s playoff run
Friday, November 17, 2023
By Scott Gerfen
info@cbussports.com
Springfield’s Bay Bay Norman (7) manages to stay airborne as he stretches and breaks the plane of the goal line with what would end up being the winning touchdown in a D1 regional final Nov. 17 at Hilliard Darby. Photo: Brian Bayless
Dublin Coffman knew exactly what it was up against facing a playoff-tested Springfield team in a Division I, Region 2 final at Hilliard Darby Friday — plenty of athleticism and quickness.
Specifically, it was Bay Bay Norman’s burst of speed that presented a challenge for the sixth-seeded Shamrocks in the 21-14 loss to the 12th-seeded Wildcats.
“We played extremely hard being limited athletically,” Coffman coach Geron Stokes said. “We just couldn’t get to their level athletically, but our kids played their tails off, and I’m super proud to be with these guys.”
Norman’s 20-yard touchdown run with 4 minutes, 26 seconds left was the game-winner. While he lost the ball diving for the end zone, the officials ruled that it had already crossed the goal line.
The senior finished with 188 yards on 23 carries.
Dublin Coffman quarterback Quinn Hart (12) looks to evade Springfield defenders Bryce Washington (9) and Kyron Dolby (10) during a regional final at Hilliard Darby. Photo: Brian Bayless
Norman’s first touchdown run went 74 yards after Coffman lost a fumble on its opening possession.
“If you go three down linemen against me, you give me too many holes,” said Norman, whose team improved to 9-5. “In watching film, we knew we were going to get the holes, we just had to block.”
Springfield, which earned its fifth consecutive regional championship, will face Cincinnati Moeller in a state semifinal on Nov. 24.
The Wildcats have outscored their opponents 48-13 in the fourth quarter of the playoffs this year.
“We’ve been here before, and we’re fighters,” Norman said. “We just fight, and we never give up.”
Coffman, which finished 10-4, did what it had to do to take a 14-7 halftime lead.
Springfield’s Duncan Bradley III (3) gets taken down by Dublin Coffman defender Sammy Moloney (27) during the second half at Hilliard Darby Nov. 17. Photo: Brian Bayless
The Shamrocks took advantage of perfect field position and put together clock-eating scoring drives.
Quarterback Quinn Hart’s 1-yard run capped a 12-play, 63-yard drive with 3:07 left in the first quarter while Daven White’s 15-yard touchdown run with 8:56 left in the second quarter ended an eight-play, 52-yard drive.
Hart rushed 24 times for 99 yards, and White finished with 74 yards on 20 carries on a blustery night that made it difficult to throw the ball.
“That’s how we have to play,” Stokes said. “It’s not like we’re going to out-run anybody. We just couldn’t do it in the second half. A credit to them. They went and made plays. This time of year, you have to have guys that can go do it, and they did.”
Coffman’s final drive ended at the Springfield 19-yard line on fourth-and-11 with 2:06 left.
Dublin Coffman quarterback Quinn Hart (12) is hoisted by teammate Kris Manu (75) to celebrate Hart’s touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 . Photo: Brian Bayless