Springfield’s (3) Jackson Sheffield intercepts a pass in the second half as the Cougars defeated Strath Haven 14-0 to win the Central League title Friday night. (PETE BANNAN-MediaNews Group)
By Matt Smith –
The Springfield defense has made scoring points against it something of a lost art.
The Cougars added another zero to an increasingly impressive collection Friday night, shutting out Strath Haven, 14-0, to clinch the Central League championship outright for the second straight season and earn at least a share of the title for the fourth consecutive year.
It was Springfield’s seventh straight shutout, a streak that has stretched across nearly two months. The Cougars have surrendered just 10 points all season, and none since allowing a field goal Sept. 3 in their second game.
At this rate, opposing offenses might need to start using Google Maps to find their way into the end zone against Springfield (9-0, 8-0).
Strath Haven (6-3, 5-2) had no answers. The Panthers managed just one first down in the first half and finished with 78 yards on 26 carries. Thirty-nine of those yards came on their final possession.
