Blue Devils move to 2-0 with blanking of Palmyra
By JAI E. COURTER Echo Pilot

Matt Copenhaver eyes up the tackle against Palmyra.

Greencastle-Antrim picked up right where it left off on the gridiron a week earlier by blanking non-league Palmyra 19-0 in the Blue Devils' home opener. Adam Ritchey decided to take the spotlight this week rushing for 112 yards and all three of GA's touchdowns.

Jared Doyle started things off on Palmyra's first possession by breaking through the offensive line for a sack and a loss of four yards. After forcing the Cougars to punt, the Devils had the ball near midfield, but turned the ball over.

G-A would return the favor a few plays later as Alex Izer intercepted a pass from Mike Balshy and returned it 15 yards to their own 40. G-A completed the drive with an 18-yard touchdown run from Ritchey with just 30 seconds left in the first quarter. Jon Zook completed the PAT to give G-A a 7-0 lead as the first quarter came to a close.

The Devils got the ball right back after forcing the Cougars to punt. Dustin Barry ran for 12 yards on the first play of the drive. Ritchey broke loose on the next play for a 62-yard touchdown run giving the Devils a 13-0 lead.

After a catch Jordan Statler pulls away from the Palmyra defender.

Ritchey sped past the defense just three minutes later for a 72- yard run but the play was called back because of a holding call. The half ended with the Devils leading 13-0 on two Ritchey touchdowns.

The action mellowed in the third quarter as neither team scored. Doyle forced his second sack for a four yard loss deep in Cougar territory causing them to punt. Defensive back Seth Shindle came up with an interception in the fourth quarter by ripping the ball away from the Palmyra receiver.

Again the game flip flopped as G-A fumbled it right back. The defense was however up to the challenge on its way to the shutout. Jesse Lenharr sacked Balshy for an eight yard loss on second and five. On the next play, Balshy fumbled the snap and Jared Smith was there to pounce on it with just a minute to go in the game.

Rusty Cordell cut back to the opposite side for a 45-yard run down to the two yard line. Ritchey ran it in for his third and final touchdown securing their 19-0 victory.

Cordell ended with 101 yards on eight carries. They combined to run for 325 yards. Ritchey went 5-for-12 throwing for 18 yards. Matt Copenhaver led the Devils on defense with seven tackles.

The Blue Devils will travel to face rival Waynesboro at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14.