Blue Devil gridders lock up home district game
By JAI E. COURTER Echo Pilot

The Devil defense puts the crunch on an opponent.

The Blue Devils hosted West Perry on Friday on Senior Night to wrap up regular season play. A fourth quarter surge helped the Devils top West Perry 34-24, and helped them in getting home field advantage for next weeks District 3-AAA playoff game.

The Devils got good field positioning on their opening possesion as Alex Izer returned the opening kick for 31 yards out near midfield. On the first play from scrimmage, Rusty Cordell broke loose for a 23-yard run. Three plays later, Stephon Walker busted free for a 19-yard touchdown run up the middle just 1:19 into the game putting G-A up 7-0.

Lineman Jesse Lenharr recovered a fumble on the Mustangs' first possession. However, the Devils couldn't make anything of it and were forced to punt. With just under five minutes remaining in the first quarter, the G-A defense forced a third-and-14 deep in West Perry territory. Linebacker Jordan Statler intercepted the pass and returned it to the end zone to give the Devils an early 14-0 lead after Christian Hoover's PAT. The Blue Devil defense gave up 64 yards after 16 plays on the Mustangs' next possession that ended with a quarterback sneak from one yard to cut the G-A lead to 14-7. The remaining eight minutes of the first half went scoreless and the Devils went into halftime leading 14-7.

Quarterback Adam Ritchey hands off to Dustin Barry as Stephon Walker is the lead blocker.

West Perry opened the second half with another big drive that ended with a 10-yard keeper by the quarterback. Jared Smith blocked the PAT to keep the Blue Devils ahead 14-13. On The Devils' next possession, Walker fumbled on the second play giving the ball right back to West Perry.

The defense forced a fourthand one, and Seth Shindle broke through the line and tackled the running back for a loss to force a turnover on downs. The Devils got the ball back and started their drive. Walker took off on second down for a 34-yard touchdown run giving G-A a 20-13 lead.

West Perry drove again and ended their drive with a field goal to come within four points of the Devils. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Walker spun past a defender and ran 65 yards before being brought down on the West Perry 10. After short gains from Dustin Barry and Walker, Adam Ritchey ran to the left for a touchdown putting the Devils up 27-16 with 6:11 left to play.

On West Perry's next drive, Matt Copenhaver made an interception giving the ball right back to the Devils. Walker found the end zone for the third time on a seven yard run to give the Devils a 34-16 lead.

West Perry answered with a 42-yard touchdown throw to come within 10. However, DJ Cordell recovered the onside kick for the Devils and G-A ran the clock out to win 34-24.

Walker led the Devils with 161 rushing yards on just 13 carries and three touchdowns. Barry chipped in with nine carries for 41 yards, while Rusty Cordell added 35 yards on six carries. Brett Meyers' only completion was to Barry for four yards.

Copenhaver led the Devils on defense with 12 tackles. Paul Peer added 11 tackles of his own. Lenharr made eight tackles, while Shindle made seven stops.

The Devils will host the District 3-AAA quarterfinal game on Friday against Daniel Boone. The game will be played on Kaley Field with a 7 p.m. kick-off time.