Springfield Dawgs Battle For Conference

The following was submitted by Mike Dzikowski:

Three thousand years ago on a battlefield in ancient Palestine, a shepherd boy felled a mighty warrior with nothing more than a stone and a sling. Ever since then the names of David and Goliath have stood for battles between underdogs and giants. After all, David's victory was improbable and miraculous. There is no way that David should have really won.

Well this Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., on the campus of Delbarton High School, a young David in the form of a Springfield Dawgs (7-0) (Town population of 14,334) travels to enemy territory to face Goliath, or as they should be called...the Morristown Wildcats (6-0-1). (Town population 44,294)  

Two undefeated teams going head to head, brother to brother, cousin to cousin on the final day of the regular season to see who wins the New Jersey Suburban Youth League National Conference. 

But forget David and Goliath, come to think of it, this match up is more like Jimmy Chitwood and Hickory playing South Bend Central, small town vs big town.....and we all know how that movie ends! These over-achieving Dawgs not only have a Conference title to play for, but a win, also gives them the number 1 seed in the playoffs. Something that the small Springfield program has never achieved.  So I leave you with this from Coach Dale ......

"There's a, uhm, tradition in tournament play to not talk about the next step until you've climbed the one in front of you. I'm sure going to the State finals is beyond your wildest dreams, so let's just keep it right there. Forget about the crowds, the size of the school, their fancy uniforms, and remember what got you here. Focus on the fundamentals that we've gone over time and time again. And most important, don't get caught up thinking about winning or losing this game.

"If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential, to be the best that you can be, I don't care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game. In my book, we're gonna be winners!"    

- Hopefully, like Hickory, the entire town will close up and head to MoTown!! Hey, they have a scoreboard and a PA system!!!  Go Dawgs!!!