Tigers earn big 38-7 win in season opener
Tigers 38
Lac qui Parle Valley 7
Springfield’s size and skill were on full display as they earned a 38-7 season opening win over the Lac qui Parle Valley Eagles on the road Thursday.
The Tiger football team opened the game with a scoring drive capped off by a deep touchdown pass from Decker Scheffler to Jordan Toll. After forcing an Eagle punt, the Springfield offense marched the ball down to the one yard line, and on fourth and goal, Curtis Tauer broke the plane, putting the Tigers up 13-0.
LqPV put together a strong drive towards the end of the first half, but an Owen Bertram interception in the end zone gave the Tigers the ball back with under a minute on the clock. With 18 seconds left in the first half, Scheffler went deep to Toll again as the junior wide receiver made a leaping catch, running into the end zone for his second TD of the half.
The Tigers lead grew to 25-0 in the third quarter when Scheffler threw a bubble screen to Tori Helget who followed his blocks and did the rest, streaking up the left side for a 49 yard touchdown. Springfield’s lead grew to 31-0 on their next possession as the Tigers took the air out of the ball and went to a ground and pound approach, capped by a touchdown by Mason Rummel.
In the fourth quarter, LqPV got on the board in bizarre fashion. The Eagles moved the ball down the field to the 10 yardline, then a tipped passed was picked off by Tyler Vanderwerf who was hit hard by LqPV’s Carter Amland, causing a fumble that was recovered by the Eagles Austin Bonn who dove into the endzone. With a 31-7 lead in the fourth quarter, Springfield put an exclamation point on the game as Tauer scored his second touchdown of the game, putting the final score 38-7.
Springfield’s defense controlled the Eagles for much of the game, giving up just 158 yards, 86 on the ground and 72 through the air.
On offense, Decker Scheffler threw for 238 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 41 yards. Kadin Johnson led a balanced Tiger backfield with 59 rushing yards. Mason Rummel had 59 rushing yards and a touchdown. Curtis Tauer had two touchdowns. Jordan Toll led the Tiger receiving core and caught two touchdown passes, one for 35 yards and one for 54 yards. Tori Helget had a touchdown for 49 yards.
On defense, Curtis Tauer had two sacks. Ivan Hovland and Mason Rummel led the Tigers in tackles.
The Tigers will host Minnesota Valley Lutheran at Riverside Park this Friday, September 6 at 7:00 p.m. Come down early and enjoy Bob’s Burgers before the game. Best of luck to Head Coach Bob Fink and the Tigers in action Friday evening!
Tigers 7-12-13-6—38
LQPV 0-0-0-7—7