SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – As the regular season draws to a close, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin’s football team is determined to finish on a high note following a heart-wrenching defeat to Glenwood in the eighth week.

In a dramatic showdown, the Cyclones were just moments away from victory against the unbeaten Titans, only to let the lead slip away in the final minute.

“That loss is definitely going to stick with us for a while,” acknowledged SHG’s head football coach, John Allison. “We have some lessons to take away from that game. Our team ran out of steam, largely because many of our players are on the field for 130 to 140 snaps each game. We need to manage their time more effectively, especially in the second half.”

This season marks a turnaround effort for the Cyclones, following a disappointing 2024 season that saw their lowest win total in decades.

“I feel like our intensity has really ramped up this year,” said Drew Ward, a senior who plays both wide receiver and defensive back for SHG. “We have a lot of faith in our coaches’ decision-making, and they’ve proven themselves time and again. That gives us a lot of confidence moving forward.”

The Friday Football Fever Spotlight Game of the Week presents more than just a rivalry clash with Rochester for the Cyclones.

“A win is really important in terms of playoffs right now,” Allison said. “It’s a difference probably between a home game and a road game.”