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Shutout keeps Springfield unbeaten

A lighting malfunction at Springfield's stadium postponed Friday night's highly anticipated matchup between the host Cougars and reigning Central League champion Garnet Valley until Saturday morning.

Springfield (Delco) junior defensive back Pat Smyth (2) gets hugged by teammates Dylan Power and Mike Fleagle (31) after Smyth's interception sealed the Cougars' 7-0 victory over visiting Garnet Valley on Saturday in a Central League football game. (LOU RABITO / Staff)
Springfield (Delco) junior defensive back Pat Smyth (2) gets hugged by teammates Dylan Power and Mike Fleagle (31) after Smyth's interception sealed the Cougars' 7-0 victory over visiting Garnet Valley on Saturday in a Central League football game. (LOU RABITO / Staff)Read more

A lighting malfunction at Springfield's stadium postponed Friday night's highly anticipated matchup between the host Cougars and reigning Central League champion Garnet Valley until Saturday morning.

"I got some sleep, but I was tossing and turning a lot," Springfield senior inside linebacker Adam Krauter said. "It was a rough night. You just can't wait to get out there and get it going."

The 151/2-hour delay proved worth the wait for Krauter and company. With an impressive effort on defense, marking a turnaround from the previous week, the Cougars took a huge step toward their first title since 1994 with a 7-0 victory.

"It was a big gut check for us," said Krauter, who registered a team-high 14 tackles. "We read our keys and played within ourselves. We got back to the fundamentals."

Springfield, coming off a wild 34-33 triumph against Upper Darby, held the Jaguars' vaunted ground attack to 173 yards on 45 carries. Fifty-four of those yards came on a third-quarter jaunt by quarterback Steve Flanagan.

"Our defensive coordinator [Joe DiTullio] had a great game plan," Cougars first-year coach Chris Britton said. "A lot of the credit has to go to him."

Springfield, which beat Garnet Valley for the second time in three years, improved to 8-0 overall and 7-0 in the Central.

The Jaguars (6-2, 6-1) were playing without 28th-year coach Mike Ricci. He took a leave of absence after losing consciousness and also grabbing a player's face mask in a Week 7 win over Penncrest.

The difference in Saturday's defensive tussle was junior wideout Brett Sheeran's 87-yard touchdown reception late in the first quarter.

Sheeran grabbed a left-side toss from Brian Allen about the 23, made his way toward the middle of the field, and then bounced to the right sideline and avoided a pack of would-be tacklers.

Allen, a shifty playmaker, completed 6 of 14 passes for 129 yards. The lefthander rushed 12 times for 57 yards.

"We couldn't have done it without him," Cougars tailback Collin Braconnier said.

Garnet Valley was turned away in the red zone early. On fourth and 1 from the 8, inside linebacker Ricky Sterling and outside linebacker Alex Masino combined to stop Flanagan for no gain.

In the final minute, after the Jaguars reached the 21, safety Pat Smyth made a clinching end-zone interception. Flanagan (12-for-15 passing, 116 yards) was trying to hit wideout Jacob Buttermore over the middle.

Garnet Valley 0 0 0 0 - 0

Springfield (D) 7 0 0 0 - 7

S: Brett Sheeran 87 pass from Brian Allen (Jack Coary kick)