Junior Blue Devil Teams Close Season With Wins
All three junior Blue Devil football teams closed out the 2010 campaign in victorious fashion.
On Tuesday, October 19, the 7th and 8th grade teams hosted a fellow Region 2-3A opponent as the South Pontotoc Cougars came to town. The 7th grade Blue Devils finished the season with a mark of (4-2-1) by blanking the visitors, 34-0.
It was the Markedrius Gooch show on both sides of the ball as he accounted for five tackles, two interceptions, a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown, as well as two offensive touchdowns.
Quarterback and safety Kirkland Horton also added five tackles and two offensive touchdowns. Daniel Fleming contributed with a reverse rushing touchdown as well as a quarterback sack.
Not to be outdone, the 8th grade Blue Devils also defended the home turf by defeating the Cougars 28 to 6 which left their final record at (5-2) and a two year total of (11-3) in junior high action. Running back Elijah Rogers and his offensive line including Devin Kilpatrick, Jared Tolbert, Will Eubanks, Zach King, Shawn Pryor, and Derrick Brady went out in style by tallying up almost 200 yards rushing. Rogers twice found the end zone in the victory, both times set up by great plays by his receivers L.J. Hawkins on a reverse and Thomas Johnson on a deep pass.
Hawkins would also add a deep receiving touchdown from Rogers on a halfback pass later in the contest. Receiver Skyler Defer tacked on the two-point conversion pass from Quarterback Jonathan Kent to cap off the scoring.
Defensively, the Blue Devils were led by Defensive Lineman DeMarrius Cole-man. Coleman had six tackles, including four tackles for a loss, one quarterback sack and a forced fumble.
Linebackers Dee McNeal and Derrick Gooch also pitched in with four tackles each. The junior high teams will now move into the off-season and prepare in the weight room and in conditioning training for either their 8th grade season next year or to move up into the varsity ranks.
The Junior Varsity also closed out their season with a victory as they hosted and defeated a 4A foe the Houston Hilltoppers 26 to 6. Fullback James Washington, who scored the lone touchdown versus Bruce the week prior, continued being productive by piling up 63 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown.
His backfield mate, Running back K.J. Lee, also toted the football for nearly 100 yards rushing led by his offensive line of Montez Hairston, Dillon Zinn, Dakendrick Gooch, Tanner Shuffield, Taylor Edwards, John Swinkoswki, Rowdy Williams, and Grant Thompson.
Defensively, the Blue Devils were led by linebacker Cortaveus Hawkins who had four tackles, and Rotez Rockette added an interception.
These young men will continue to practice with the varsity and help prepare them each week for their deep playoff push.
