Springfield sophomore quarterback Braylon Keyes went 11-for-16 for 140 yards and a touchdown as the Wildcats fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2012.
“We’ve got to make plays when we get the opportunities,” said Springfield coach Maurice Douglass. “We didn’t make enough plays on offense to win it. You’ve got to keep playing hard and something is going to happen here soon.”
Gonzaga senior Lincoln Fisher caught three passes for 117 yards and two TDs for the Eagles (1-0). Fisher caught a 61-yard TD pass from sophomore Jason Lindsay with 1:46 remaining in the second quarter to give the Eagles a 7-0 halftime lead.
After a scoreless third quarter, Eagles senior running back Kainoa Winston connected with Fisher on a 41-yard TD pass to give Gonzaga a 14-0 lead.
Springfield senior defensive end Jackson Heims caused a fumble late in the fourth quarter and junior linebacker Taj Powell returned it to Gonzaga’s 42. Keyes hit senior Zy’Aire Fletcher on a 37-yard pass, setting up first-and-goal from the 5. A few plays later, Keyes hit junior Sherrod Lay, Jr. on a 10-yard TD pass to cut the lead to 14-6 with 19 seconds remaining. The Wildcats attempted an onside kick, but the ball went out of bounds.
“I’m proud of the fact that those guys didn’t give up,” Douglass said. “They continued to battle. Gonzaga is going to be a good team. They’ve got some dudes. This is why we schedule these types of games so they’ll get us ready for when we go into the (Greater Western Ohio Conference).”
Lay returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown but it was called back due to a penalty.
The game was a slugfest with neither team rushing for more than 50 yards — Gonzaga rushed for 43 yards and Springfield rushed for 36 yards. Springfield had four sacks in the game, two by senior linebacker Kyron Dolby and one each by Heims and sophomore defensive end Tyrell Thompson.
Keyes made his first start under center filling in for injured senior Brent Upshaw. Wildcats senior Quenta Wafer, Jr. caught two passes for 67 yards and Fletcher caught three passes for 48 yards.
“I thought (Keyes) played pretty good,” Douglass said. “I think if we could’ve protected him a little bit better, we may have been able to get some more things in the passing game. We’ve got to remember we’ve got two guys returning on the offensive line and two of the other guys didn’t play last year. We’ll get better. It’ll jell.”
Gonzaga College coach Randy Trivers was pleased with his team’s execution against a strong program like Springfield, he said.
“As a coach, you always prepare your guys the best way you can for that first game, but there’s always some unknowns, especially against a program this good,” Trivers said. “We’ve got a lot of respect for Springfield and they were a hell of a challenge. They did a great job. We’re fortunate to come out here and get a win. We made enough plays to make it happen.”
Springfield hosts rival Trotwood-Madison (0-2) on Friday night in its final game before entering GWOC play. The Wildcats fell to the Rams 21-20 last year.
“Hopefully we can right the ship against the Wood,” Douglass said. “It’s going to be another intense game. Hopefully we can get back into the fold.”
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