Tropiano sets the tone as Springfield survives elements, Penncrest
MEDIA — It was clear from the outset of Springfield’s visit to Penncrest that whichever team was going to win Friday night would have to tough not just the opposition, but the weather.
Using a key special teams play, a staunch defense, and a diversified offensive attack, the Cougars were the ones to do that, securing a 22-6 victory.
Both teams did the best they in battling the elements, but neither offense was sharp. Luckily for the Cougars (4-6, 4-5 Centra), the special teams unit was able to break the game open.
Zack Tropiano nearly blocked Penncrest’s first punt attempt but narrowly missed. Clearly, Tropiano had drawn the attention of the Lions. On Penncrest’s next punt, the Cougars broke through and Connor Roche blocked the kick. Tropiano tried desperately to jump on the ball for a touchdown, but it was ruled a safety.
Tropiano, however, would hit pay dirt soon enough. The senior hauled in a 22-yard scoring pass from Jake Rama to up Springfield’s lead to 8-0.
“I had almost gotten the last one, so I think they were paying more attention to me and then one of my teammates blocked it,” Tropiano said. “I thought it was a touchdown.”
It was his touchdown reception, however, that really made life difficult for the Lions.
“We felt like if we could score we could put them away early. I got a great ball from my quarterback, Jake Rama,” Tropiano said. “I never played in anything like this. We just knew we had to step up, do our jobs, and we would be alright.”
Springfield running back Bryan Minnott took over with a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter before icing the game by grabbing a 20-yard scoring pass from Rama in the third.
Springfield coach Chris Britton was impressed with his team’s focus.
“I thought defensively we played a good game,” said Britton. “We punted well at times and put them in a bind. We made some plays early and when we found some spots where there wasn’t that much rain where we were able to pass the ball to keep them honest.”
Penncrest never gave up and kept battling under interim coach Paul Graham. The Lions (1-9, 1-8 Central) were eventually rewarded for their effort when Nick Chelo hooked up with Jimmy Cage for a 28-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Cage thinks Penncrest’s mental toughness is something that is instilled in the program.
“To the end, we battled. We battled to the last snap and that’s just how our team is,” Cage said, “Our seniors never gave up, and our underclassmen never gave up. There is a lot of hope in this program.”
Graham knew that it was not the ending that his seniors wanted, but it showed a lot about what made the 12th grade class a special group.
“This year hasn’t gone the way we wanted, and I told our seniors that they’re the ‘No Quit Nine.’ Every game, regardless of the score, they play hard for 48 minutes and I always say, I can work with that any time,” said Graham. “The nine seniors we have don’t have an ounce of quit in them. That will serve them well going forward. They’re measure of success is not going to our final record. They’re good, young men and they’ll be successful because of that attitude.”
