GREENFIELD – For first-year coach Adam Sherman, Friday night’s 42-21 loss to Delta was bittersweet. Despite the season coming to an end, he believes a solid foundation has been laid for the future. The Cougars finished the season 6-5 for its first winning season since 2011.
“I’m so excited for the future of this program,” Sherman said. “The 28 seniors couldn’t have been a better group, and it will be sad to lose them, but I’m excited to be a part of Greenfield football.”
The first half was not kind to the Cougars. Delta drove down the field on its first drive behind quarterback Tanner Lambert and running back Charlie Spegal. Spegal would get in for the opening score of the game on a second-effort fourth-and-goal play from the 1-yard line to give the Eagles the lead.
The Eagles would add two more touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead into halftime. The Cougars offense could not get on track in the half, and did not cross the Eagles’ 40-yard line.
“[Delta] really seemed on top of our tendencies,” Sherman stated. “The preparation on my part should have been better.”
The scene at halftime wasn’t a fiery one, however.
“We were just honest with the guys and told them they had a decision to make on how they wanted to go out,” Sherman said.
The speech worked, as the Cougars put up 21 second half points and were within inches of recovering a second onside kick that would have given them a chance to get the game within one score.
Michael Sosnowski, a senior running back for the Cougars, ripped off back-to-back touchdown runs of 20 and 42 yards respectively. After the second score, an onside kick was within the grasp of the Cougars, but the ball squirted out in the pile and was recovered by Delta.
When Delta had the ball in the second half, Lambert and Spegal made the Cougars pay. With the Cougars needing to commit multiple defenders to bring down the 215 pound Spegal, space was opened up for Lambert to run free. Lambert finished the game with 178 yards rushing and three touchdowns, and Spegal finished with 138 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Delta’s victory gives it the chance to go for its second straight sectional championship as they host the Mt. Vernon Marauders next Friday night at 7 p.m.
