When you start to get into the mid-late season, that's when you really have to kick your game into high gear.
The Blue Devils did exactly that with a dominant 33-0 victory over the Philipsburg Osceola Mounties.
The Blue Devils set the tone of the game, ending the first quarter of the game with a 20-0 lead, and walked into the locker room at halftime with a 27-0 lead. The reasoning for this was the seemingly unstoppable run-first offense that the Blue Devils once again displayed Friday night. The Blue Devils run game was able to gain 226 out of their total 292 yards from scrimmage. The Blue Devils never had to punt the ball as well. In the first half, Bellwood was able to wear down the Mounties, and the number’s showed it, being able to record 10 1st downs compared to Philipsburg’s 4 1st downs. Key performers in the run attack included Bradyn Partner, Chase Plummer, and Alex McCartney. Partner was able to rush for 80 yards and a touchdown, Plummer ran for 26 yards and a touchdown, and McCartney ran for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Midway through the first quarter, Alex McCartney put the Blue Devils up 6-0 with an easy 2-yard touchdown run. Then, late in the first quarter, Chase Plummer was able to punch in a 6-yard touchdown run. Bellwood’s defense would then make a play, setting up a 20-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Alex McCartney, putting Bellwood up 20-0 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Bellwood would increase their lead to 27-0 with a 7-yard touchdown run by Alex McCartney. In the third quarter, Bellwood would get their last strike in with a 14-yard touchdown run by Bradyn Partner, solidifying their 33-0 victory against the Mounties.
While the Blue Devils dominated on the offensive side of the football, it was their defense that won them this game. Bellwood was able to record 60 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 of those recoveries was taken back for a touchdown by Alex McCartney. Bellwood was able to capitalize on all three of their turnovers, converting them into points. Key performers on defense included Bradyn Partner, Alex McCartney, Bryson Hescox, Tristan Riva, Thad Norton, Jackson Dorminy, Reid Schreier, and Curtis Shedlock. Bradyn Partner was able to record an interception, 2 tackles, and a forced fumble. Alex McCartney was able to record 6 total tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Bryson Hescox recorded 4 total tackles, 2 of which were for a loss of yards. Tristan Riva had 2 tackles, one of which was a sack. Thad Norton recorded 2 tackles and a forced fumble. Jackson Dorminy had 3 total tackles, one of which was a tackle for loss. Reid Schreier was able to have 5 total tackles and a forced fumble. Curtis Shedlock was able to have 4 tackles and a fumble recovery.
"We were dialed in on defense, our defensive line played amazing, we just weren't letting their offense make the plays they needed to make," said defensive lineman Bryson Hescox.
Bellwood-Antis will look to keep that momentum going on Saturday night against the Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders.