SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – As Springfield High School’s football team heads to Canton, two sets of brothers hope a sideline reunion inspires them to finish the season on top.
After 2021’s loss in the OHSAA Division I final to the St. Edward Eagles, two of Springfield’s graduating football standouts made local headlines after committing to two Ivy League Schools. Delian Bradley headed to Harvard and Vasean Washington to Dartmouth. Now returning to Canton for the second year in a row, their younger brothers hope their leadership will help them finish what the team started.
When the team left Thursday afternoon, Duncan Bradley said he was more focused, more prepared, and in better physical and mental shape than he was last time he played in the state championship.
“We know what it looks like. We’ve been there before," he said. "We understand what we’re going there for, so this time we’re just going down there and trying to come back with a W."
That confidence comes, not in spite of, but because of the graduating seniors who helped the team build its program, including Delian Bradley.
“He’s a great leader,” Duncan Bradley said. “Probably one of the best defensive backs I’ve ever seen.”
Bryce Washington had similar praise for his brother.
“He’s a Division I Athlete going to the Ivy League,” he said. “I just try to do what he does. Follow in his footsteps. I’m trying to get to where he’s at.”
According to coach Maurice Douglass, Delian and Vasean were just a few of the hardworking players who proved last year’s team pushed itself both on and off the field and the results speak for themselves.
“We have guys in the Ivy League,” he said. “We had guys in conference USA, we had guys all over the place, two guys in Jacksonville State.”
Even with all that talent leaving, however, Douglass said his younger players stepped up to fill those big shoes.
For Duncan Bradley, his brother’s leadership helped secure his passion for the sport and give him the level head he needs to continue achieving.
“He brings a lot of energy to me and my other sibling and us as a team just knowing that he’s been there before and he understands where we’re at,” he said.
For Bryce Washington, his brother Vasean’s influence helps push him to keep striving for more.
“Last week he was there,” he said. “I had 15 tackles, so now I’m just trying to keep improving every week for him.”
Both Vasean Washington and Delian Bradley plan to travel to Canton to cheer on their brothers and their former team, which Douglass said he always appreciates from his former players.
Through their example, Douglass said he hopes his players see what they are capable of, giving them the hunger to achieve even more for their city, school, and families.
“If you apply yourself and do the little things, those dreams and those hopes they can come alive,” he said.
Springfield High School plays Lakewood St. Edward, Friday at 7:30 p.m.