Eighth Grade Blue Devils Remain Unblemished
COLDWATER – All three Junior Blue Devil Teams traveled to Tate County on Tuesday, Sept. 24 to take on the homestanding Wildcats. The seventh graders lost a tight six to 0 game to fall to (2-3) on the 2024 season.
The eighth graders remained undefeated, however their unscored-upon-streak ended at 18 quarters. The (5-0) team scrapped out a 24 to 16 road victory. Due to many varsity injuries, several junior varsity players have been called upon to fill Friday night roles, but the shorthanded junior varsity rallied around each other to capture a 14 to 0 victory and improve to 2-3.
During the seventh grade game, quarterback Brycen Elmore was the leading rusher with 61 yards rushing. The offense penetrated as close as the Wildcat nine-yard line, before penalties drove them back for a turnover on downs. Defensively, K.C. Hervey led all tackles with three total tackles.
The eighth graders took the opening drive 70-yards and capitalized as quarterback Easton Newman connected with wide receiver Jonathan Malone on a slant route that Malone took 33-yards for the touchdown. Running back De’Marea Johnson rushed in the three-yard two-point conversion to put the team up eight to 0.
The game would remain the same for the rest of the first half. In the second half, the Blue Devils again hit Malone on a deep pass to set up a Landyn Logan eight-yard rushing touchdown. Newman would rush in the two-point conversion to put the Devils up 16 to 0.
Late in the third quarter, number three from Independence took the football around left end for a 48-yard rushing touchdown to end the eighth graders’ unscored-upon-streak. The Devils would answer as Johnson iced the game with a 29-yard rushing touchdown and Newman again added the conversion.
Defensively, Malone led all Blue Devil tacklers with four total tackles. After another Independence score, the Blue Devils were able to get into victory formation to secure the win.
A short-handed junior varsity team leaned heavily on the offensive line of Ja’Cameron Elmore, Peyton Chandler, Jay Hervey, Alex Spruill, Kaleb Vire and Leiton Griffin to ground and pound the Wildcats. Running Back Keshun Kurtz had his first 100-Yard rushing game behind the self-proclaimed “Trench Mob.”
The Blue Devils struck first with a consistent drive as Kurtz hit a four-yard rushing touchdown. The PAT attempt failed. The Blue Devil Defense did a great job on the evening, only allowing Independence to cross midfield once. They were paced by defensive back Nick Rubio with five total tackles and three for loss. Defensive linemen Kaleb Vire added a sack, while Parker Logan added a fumble recovery. The score was six to 0 at the half.
Late in the final frame, quarterback Robert Swanner took an errant snap around right end for an 18-Yard touchdown, while Kurtz added the two-point conversion.
On the Wildcats’ final drive, defensive back Lukas Reeves sealed the game with an interception as he slid down to end the contest.
The junior teams were back in action at presstime Tuesday at Bobby Clark Field against nearby rival Bruce Trojans.
