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Montgomery Central powers past Springfield in defensive struggle




Montgomery Central's Dalton Bradford (15) tackles Springfield's Ze'Rel Boyd (21) during the first quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central’s Dalton Bradford (15) tackles Springfield’s Ze’Rel Boyd (21) during the first quarter.ROBERT SMITH

CUNNINGHAM – The Montgomery Central Indians picked up a crucial Region 5-4A victory on Friday, beating the Springfield Yellow Jackets 13-10. 

The Indians are now 3-1 in the region, tied with Portland at the top of the standings.

Defense was the key as both offenses struggled to gain much traction on the cold, rainy night. Springfield kept the Indians’ vaunted rush attack for most of the game. Meanwhile, Montgomery Central did not allow the Yellow Jackets to score on any drive that started in Springfield territory.

“(The defense has) been lights out,” said Montgomery Central coach Jeff Tomlinson. “They read their keys well, they’re all around the ball, they do what they’re supposed to do and if you do what you’re supposed to do, you play your football game and not try to do somebody else’s job, that’s what happens.”

Springfield’s points came off a 3-yard quarterback sneak by Kevontez Hudson, after the Indians muffed a punt that the Yellow Jackets recovered inside the 10 in the second quarter. A few minutes later, Luis Diaz Jijon hit a 41-yard field goal just seconds before halftime.

The Indians were not as lucky with field position on their scoring drives, as they had to move down the field for both of their scores. They scored on their first possession as running back Lakendriez Sanders found the end zone from six yards out. It took them until the fourth quarter to get more points, but it came at a perfect time.

Montgomery Central took several minutes off the clock, eventually getting to the two yard line after a long run from Sanders.

They used their first-down play to go back to Sanders from the two. He got nothing.

Sanders took it again on second down. Again, Springfield stood strong.

On third down, the Indians lined up with a familiar look and most people in the stadium expected the bruiser back to get the ball once more. Instead, quarterback Logan Sykes – who had only thrown one ball all night (which was intercepted) – took a quick snap himself and plunged into the end zone to give the Indians the lead.

After blocking the PAT and getting a strong return on the kickoff, the Yellow Jackets’ drive ended with a fumble near midfield. Sanders and the Indians iced the game to secure the win.

“We probably benefited from the rain and the cold,” Tomlinson said. “We go downhill running full speed ahead, and they’re trying to get to the edge and use their speed, and it probably hampered them a little bit more than it did us.”

The Yellow Jackets plan on taking the loss in stride knowing that it does not doom their season.

“I just told them that through the season you learn things,” said Springfield coach Dustin Wilson. “It’s no different than when we lost to Marshall County two weeks ago. You gotta learn something, you gotta move on.

“We learned that we can stop the run. I think we did that (well) enough to win. Offensively, I think we turned the ball over a little too much. You get these games where every possession is so big. Maybe we just learned to not take possessions for granted.”

Sanders finished with 168 yards on 43 attempts. Kaleb Lane took five carries for 47 yards. 

Hudson was 7-of-13 passing for 55 yards. He also ran for 40 yards on 13 attempts to lead Springfield. The Yellow Jackets finished with just 147 yards of total offense to Montgomery Central’s 220.

Springfield fell to 4-3 (2-1 Region 5-4A) and will now turn its attention to Portland (4-4, 3-1), whom they will host Friday at 7 p.m.

The Indians, on the other hand, will get Friday off before returning to action Oct. 25 against White House (3-3, 0-2).

“I’m glad we have a week off,” Tomlinson said. “We need to rest, we need to prepare, but the way we’ve been playing lately, we don’t want to stop. I wish we could play again on Monday in those terms, because we’re really playing well and we don’t want to lose the momentum.”

Montgomery Central's fans celebrate after a fumble recovery stopped a Springfield drive in the closing minutes of the game.ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central’s fans celebrate after a fumble recovery stopped a Springfield drive in the closing minutes of the game.ROBERT SMITH

Springfield's head coach Dustin Wilson watches the action against Montgomery Central during the third quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Springfield’s head coach Dustin Wilson watches the action against Montgomery Central during the third quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central's Logan Sykes (2) throws against Springfield during the third quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central’s Logan Sykes (2) throws against Springfield during the third quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Springfield's Gabe Kelly (20) pulls in a pass as he is hit by Montgomery Central's Lucas Schaffer (17).ROBERT SMITH

Springfield’s Gabe Kelly (20) pulls in a pass as he is hit by Montgomery Central’s Lucas Schaffer (17).ROBERT SMITH

Springfield's Kevontez Hudson (5) and Cale Jones (15) celebrate Springfield's touchdown during the second quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Springfield’s Kevontez Hudson (5) and Cale Jones (15) celebrate Springfield’s touchdown during the second quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central's head coach Jeff Tomlinson speaks with his players during the first half. ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central’s head coach Jeff Tomlinson speaks with his players during the first half. ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central's cheerleaders cheered in the rain as the Indians defeated the Yellowjackets 13-10 Friday night in Cunningham.ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central’s cheerleaders cheered in the rain as the Indians defeated the Yellowjackets 13-10 Friday night in Cunningham.ROBERT SMITH

Springfield's Kevontez Hudson (5) fumbles the ball during the first quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Springfield’s Kevontez Hudson (5) fumbles the ball during the first quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Springfield's Kevontez Hudson (5) throws against Montgomery Central.ROBERT SMITH

Springfield’s Kevontez Hudson (5) throws against Montgomery Central.ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central's Drez Sanders (33) breaks through the Springfield line during the third quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central’s Drez Sanders (33) breaks through the Springfield line during the third quarter.ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central's Drez Sanders (33) breaks through for a 6-yard touchdown run. ROBERT SMITH

Montgomery Central’s Drez Sanders (33) breaks through for a 6-yard touchdown run. ROBERT SMITH

Springfield's Kevontay White (9) intercepts a pass intended for Montgomery Central's Michael Payton (3) in the end zone.ROBERT SMITH

Springfield’s Kevontay White (9) intercepts a pass intended for Montgomery Central’s Michael Payton (3) in the end zone.ROBERT SMITH

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