By Chris Griesedieck | Special to the Reporter

NORTH SHELBY – The mercy rule was in full effect under the Friday night lights at Ray Woodard Field on April 21.

Indian Springs played one continuous game of keep-away from Prattville Christian, as they trounced their way to an easy 10-0 shutout of their area foe.

Springs, who entered this game as the No. 1 ranked team in class 1A-3A, completely dominated the Panthers from start to finish.

“I thought we came out and set the tone in the first 15 minutes by playing our system,” Springs’ head coach Rik Tozzi said.

In the early going, Springs took a 3-0 lead and never looked back.  Speedy forward Sam Simpson opened the scoring in the ninth minute, as he outran two Prattville defenders.  Five minutes later, Graham Holder took a pass from Justin Chapman and buried a shot with his right foot.  And in the 15^th minute, freshman Jim Tozzi scored off a corner kick.

Springs increased their lead to 5-0 at halftime, and then added five goals in the second half.  The tenth goal ended the contest via mercy rule with 8:38 remaining.

Because of Springs’ consistent ability to maintain possession, Prattville struggled to generate many scoring chances in both halves.  Every time the Panthers tried to make a run, Springs was right there to take it away.  This resulted in quick counter attacks, through balls, and crosses that set up a driving range on Prattville’s goalkeeper.

While Springs lit up the scoreboard all night, the prettiest goal of the evening came on Chapman’s header in the 63^rd minute.

After some crisp passing between players, Springs junior Patrick McGuire took the ball on the left side.  He sent a perfect cross to the far post, where he found Justin Chapman, who headed it in the top right corner of the net.

With the playoffs on the horizon, Indian Springs is playing like the No. 1 team in its classification having only lost two games all season. Springs also went on to tie with a very good Altamont team on Saturday, April 22 as neither team could create much offense. Springs scored 10 less goals than the prior night to finish the game in a 0-0 tie.

Their last loss came back on March 4, as they have won or tied in their last 16 contests to sit with an overall record of 18-2-5.