Blue Devils bash Eagles, take control of N10

CAREY– It didn't come easy for the Blue Devils.In a 27-7 victory over Colonel Crawford on Friday, a quick glance at the score may make it seem otherwise. There were less than six minutes left until halftime before Carey finally crossed the pylon, as both teams battled throughout the first and early second quarters. A two-yard rumble by Nathan "Butch" Brodman gave the Blue Devils their first score, after they drove virtually the whole field. Both team's defensive prowess was on display early, as Carey came up with two interceptions and Colonel Crawford forced two Blue Devil turnovers, all within the first quarter. The Blue Devils carried their 7-0 lead into halftime, and built on it from there. Carey's staunch defensive front held the Eagles to just 17 total yards in the first half, but things would quickly shift as the second half got underway.On the kickoff, miscommunication led to the Eagles' kick rolling up to the Carey one-yard line, as a live ball. The Eagles pounced on it, and what followed was a one-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Trevor Vogt, evening things up at seven apiece. In just under three minutes, however, the Blue Devils would strike once again. Eli Steen drove in a 10-yard run and gave Carey a 13-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter. With four minutes to go in the final quarter, quarterback Carter Smiley found Alex Putnam on a 16-yard pass for a Blue Devils touchdown. Just seconds later, Carey's Austin Niederkohr snagged a huge interception, driving 57 yards down the field before being stopped just three yards shy of the end zone. Junior Gavin Snyder carried the Blue Devils' final touchdown into the endzone, as the Blue Devil fans erupted. "A hard-hitting game from set-go to that last whistle," Carey coach Jonathon Mershman said. "A ton of respect for them, that's a heck of a program. It's gonna be exciting every time we play."Carter Smiley led the way for the Blue Devils, throwing for 93 yards and rushing for 51 more. "Don't measure him by his size, but measure him by his heart," Mershman said of his 5-9 senior quarterback. "That kid is cool as a cucumber. 'I'll get better, I'll do a better job.' That's his mentality all the time. He's doing an excellent job, I can't give him enough praise."Eli Steen finished with 17 carries for 66 yards. Conner Norden rushed 14 times for 61 yards, while Austin Niederkohr had five carries for 38 yards. Alex Putnam caught four passes for 40 yards, including his touchdown reception."I've said to the guys, I don't know who's gonna have the hot night, I don't know who's gonna get the ball," Mershman added. "We do a pretty good job of spreading it out and not just relying on one person. Letting everyone get involved, and I think tonight was another night of that."Colonel Crawford's defense hadn't given up more than 20 points this year, outsourcing opponents 212-68 through five games. This loss, however, breaks that streak and moves the Eagles to second place in the N10 behind the Blue Devils.For the Eagles, they finished with just 71 total yards in the loss, as they fall to 5-1 ahead of an important matchup with the Upper Sandusky Rams, who with a win next week would pass the Eagles for second place in the N10. The Blue Devils improved to 4-2, and will host rival Mohawk next Friday in another N10 battle.