The 15-yard penatly put the Beavers in field-goal range, and kicker Michael Chuck connected on a 27-yard boot as time expired for a 31-28 victory.
The Beavers are 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the GWOC Central, while Springfield fell to 2-5, 0-2.
The Wildcats have been competitive all season. The next step for the program is learning how to put away winnable games.
They had mistakes at crucial times while squandering a 14-point third-quarter lead and a seven-point fourth-quarter edge.
On Danny Davis’ 30-yard TD run early in the third period, the Wildcats were called for unsportsmanlike conduct.
That meant a kickoff from their own 25-yard line, which the Beavers returned to the Springfield 11.
Running back Stone Kincer scored on the next play for the Beavers, who then recovered an onside kick. Tim Bradshaw, the GWOC’s second-leading rusher, punctuated a short drive with a three-yard TD run for a 21-21 tie.
After Davis’ fourth TD on a five-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, the Beavers’ Jullian Linkhart returned the kickoff 90-yards for a score to tie the game at 28.
The Wildcats had three touchdowns called back because of penalties.
Although they did plenty to please their coaches along with a hearty crowd, the Wildcats had difficulty overcoming their self-destructive ways.
Davis show: Beavercreek knows how to pick its battles.
After getting torched by play-making dynamo Danny Davis, the Beavers punted away from the highly recruited star and followed up their touchdowns with onside kicks.
They limited the damage, but the 6-foot-3, 187-pound junior still had a big night.
He scored four touchdowns in three different ways — a 70-yard punt return, a 30-yard reception and runs of 30 and five yards. He rushed for 181 yards on 22 carries and had 88 more receiving for 339 all-purpose yards.
Davis, who is being recruited by Ohio State, Michigan State and other Big Ten teams, came into the game with 856 yards rushing and receiving and nine TDs.
Crowned: Springfield announced its Homecoming honorees at halftime. Sydney Jones is the queen and Donye James the king.
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