By Brandon Dyer

The Model Blue Devils came into their fourth game of the season coming off of a bye week and facing the Trion Bulldogs.

Model received the ball first and lost a total of seven yards in three plays before punting the ball away, giving the Bulldogs possession at midfield.

The Bulldogs first possession had the same fate, punting the ball away after three plays that totaled -2 yards.

The Blue Devils seemed to be heading in the same direction with a 3rd and 9 situation, but a defensive pass interference penalty would keep the ball in their hands.

They couldn’t capitalize, so the ball went back over to the Bulldogs, but on their own one-yard line.

Another punt by the Bulldogs ensued, but it would put the Blue Devils at the 38 yard line, nearly already in field goal range.

A promising first two gains were squandered after the Blue Devils committed a false start penalty, bringing up a 4th and 11 to start the second quarter.

The Blue Devils would convert on a 16-yard pass to bring the ball within the 10-yard line. They were unable to find the end zone, but kicker (31) made a field goal to put the Blue Devils up 3-0 with just under 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs started the next drive with a long run which nearly costed them the football after a fumble forced by Daniel Jolley, but the Bulldogs were able to keep possession on the Blue Devils side of the field.

Bulldogs running back Logan Eller(4) carried the ball for 10 yards to put the Bulldogs deep in Blue Devil territory, and it proved to be a spark that the offense needed. The Bulldogs would attempt a field goal from within the 10 yard line, and it would go through the uprights to tie the game at 3.

With four minutes remaining before halftime, the Blue Devils would have one more offensive possession of the first half.

The spark that the offense needed came on a 50 yard touchdown run by (4) Campbell, the longest play from scrimmage of the season for the Blue Devils to put them up 10-3 with under three minutes remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs punted after three plays, and the Blue Devils would try to run off the rest of the minute and a half off the clock to secure a 10-3 lead heading into the locker room.

However, a fumble from their own 10-yard line would give the Bulldogs an opportunity late in the first half, and they scored on a 7-yard run just two plays later to tie the game with 47 seconds before halftime.

The Bulldogs would start the second half with the ball, trying to carry over the momentum they gained just before halftime.

However, (3) would intercept a pass to give the Blue Devils the ball. Just two plays later, the Bulldogs would force a turnover of their own in the way of a fumble, giving them possession at the Blue Devils 25-yard line.

A 15-yard pass would would then put the Bulldogs witching striking distance yet again. (25) would score three plays later, giving the Bulldogs a 17-10 lead midway through the third quarter.

The Blue Devils air attack highlighted their next drive, but penalties nearly prove to be a drive killer, but on 3rd and 18, the Blue Devils quarterback was able to connect with (6) on a 53-yard pass, putting the Blue Devils back in a tie with the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs wasted no time answering back, with the first play of their drive being a 45-yard pass that would put them at the Blue Devils 14-yard line with time winding down in the third quarter. They weren’t able to put the ball on the end zone, but they did score three more points on a field goal to make the score 20-17.

A 53-yard touchdown run by (4) would start the fourth quarter off in an electrifying way, and the Blue Devils would take the lead yet again, 24-20.

The Bulldogs offense started feeling the pressure of the game winding down, as they threw the ball on the first three plays of their next drive before turning the offense over to the rushing attack.

A crucial 3rd and 2 would come up for the Bulldogs, and they would get the first down and more as a face mask penalty added yards at the end of the run. It would result in a 1st and goal at the 7-yard line.

Two plays later, the Bulldogs would punch it in the end zone to again take the lead back, 27-24, with 7 minutes remaining in the game.

The Blue Devils would start to methodically march down the field, but the drive was cut short and the Bulldogs would have a chance to deliver a final blow to the Blue Devils with 4:43 remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs seemed to pull away with their second first down, but a fumble gave the ball back to the Blue Devils. They would be 65 yards away from the end zone and had 2 minutes remaining in the game.

Another false start penalty on the second play of the quarter would move the Blue Devils back another five yards to begin the drive.

The Blue Devils would face a 4th and 7 with a minute and a half left in the game and the ball game on the line. The pass would be complete for twenty yards.

The Blue Devils would again be in a 3rd and 2 situation at the Bulldogs 34-yard line. A 34-yard touchdown would be the result, as they took a 31-27 lead with 51 seconds left in the game.

The Bulldogs needed a response fast, but they would allow a sack on the first play of the possession, and they would be put in a 4th and 9 situation, with the Blue Devils needing one more stop. They would convert near midfield to set up another set of downs and add to the late drama.

Desperately needing a big play with 10 seconds left, the Bulldogs tried a deep pass that was intercepted by the Blue Devils, effectively ending the game at 31-27.

The Blue Devils proved Friday night that they were contenders in Region 7AA, and they will make a strong push for that fourth playoff spot come November.