By: Brandon Dyer

It was Senior Night last for the Model Blue Devils as they would head into their matchup with the North
Murray Mountaineers on Friday night. With both teams locked into playoff spots, this would be crucial
for both teams in terms of seeding in the state tournament.
The Blue Devils defensive line made a statement early on in the game, with Daniel Jolly recording a sack
on the first play of the game, followed up by another sack two plays later to force a punt three plays into
the Mountaineers opening drive of the game.
The Blue Devils offense would have great field position after an 11-yard return by Riley Chapman, but
they would turn the ball over three plays later by way of fumble.
Two plays later, Brent Pace would pick up a loose ball and bring it back to the 6-yard line, giving the Blue
Devils offense an opportunity, which they capitalized on by finding the end zone on the first play of the
drive when quarterback Black Silver connected with Brant Pace to put the Blue Devils up 7-0.
Another three and out by the Mountaineers would give the Blue Devils the football back, this time at
their own 20-yard line. Three plays later they would again give the ball back to the Mountaineers.
The Mountaineers started their drive in Model territory, trying to squeeze out any kind of momentum
that they could, and they did just that by connecting on a 29-yard touchdown pass to even the score up
at 7-7.
Daniel Jolly got the offense rolling fast on their next drive, gaining 24 yards on the Blue Devils first play
of the drive. The drive was stalled for a series after that, bringing up a 4 th and 7, which Blue Devils went
for but couldn’t convert, giving the Mountaineers the ball back at their own 30-yard line.
The Blue Devils defense would force a 3 rd and 8 situation, but an incomplete pass would end the
Mountaineers drive, and a muffed punt would set the Blue Devils offense up in good field position yet
again.
A penalty on third down would move them back five yards to make it 3 rd and 8. After an incomplete
pass, a decision needed to be made and the offense stayed out on the field. An overthrow by Jake
Sanders would give the ball back to the Mountaineers.
The Mountaineers would convert a 3 rd and 9 to keep their drive alive, then four plays later would
convert a 4 th and 2 to again keep their drive going. A 47 yard run on the next play would get the
Mountaineers in the end zone for the second time of the night, going up 14-7.
The Blue Devils wasted no time responding, returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to tie the
game at 14 a piece.
The Mountaineers took just four plays on their next drive to connect on a 47 yard touchdown through
the air again, build their lead to 21-14 over the Blue Devils.
Joey Samples would provide a spark for the offense, moving the ball to the Mountaineers 30-yard line,
but the offense couldn’t squeeze out any yardage, and Blake Silvers would throw an interception on
fourth down to give the Mountaineer time for another possession with three minutes left before
halftime.

With just 34 seconds left before halftime, the Blue Devils would get a Cuban error from their own 34-
yard line after a turnover on downs. In three plays, they were able to get to the Mountaineers 40-yard
line with eight seconds left, but a Hail Mary attempt would fall incomplete and the Mountaineers would
take a 21-14 lead into the locker room.
The Blue Devils would receive the second half kickoff in good field position at their own 46-yard line.
Two first downs later, the Blue Devils found themselves within striking distance, however a holding call
on 3 rd and 4 would move them back five yards and force the Blue Devils to punt after an incomplete
pass.
A good punt would put the Mountaineers inside their own 10-yard line, and a holding call would back
them up even farther. However, it took all of one play to move the ball past the sticks after a late hit
penalty on the Blue Devils. From there, the Mountaineers rode that momentum until they eventually
scored from 14 yards out on a pass that would give them a 27-14 lead late in the third quarter after the
PAT was blocked.
The Blue Devils offense would be on the field for three plays before a punt that made the Mountaineers
start on their own 34-yard line. They Blue Devils defense would force a 4 th and 11 situation, where the
Mountaineers elected to punt.
The Blue Devils would get just past the 50-yard line before being called for a holding call, however Jake
Sanders would find Jermaine Campbell wide open deep downfield for a 53-yard touchdown pass to cut
into the lead and make the score 27-21 with eight minutes remaining in the game.
However, the Mountaineers would connect on their own big pass play to get them deep in Blue Devil
territory. Facing a 4 th and 1 from the 11-yard line, they would get what was the biggest play of the night,
a touchdown run that put them up 35-21 with just over five minutes remaining in the game.
Playing with a sense of urgency, the Blue Devils would take just six plays to get in the end zone to make
the score 35-28. The Mountaineers just needed to keep the clock running and get a few first downs to
close out the game, and they did just that. The final score: Mountaineers 35 Blue Devils 28.