The Danville Blue Devils are looking to build on last season’s success, so much so that the team slogan for this upcoming play is “Unfinished business.”
Danville was a big gridiron story a year ago as the team (11-3 overall, 5-1 in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference) came within seconds of winning a Division VII regional title. Warren JFK (13-1) edged out the Blue Devils 22-21, thanks to opting for and succeeding on a 2-point conversion on the game’s final drive.
“We had a great 2022 season, winning 11 games and making the regional finals,” coach Matt Blum told the Mount Vernon News. “However, our players have adopted the ‘unfinished business’ mindset. Although we had great success, we still have so much more we can accomplish in 2023. This has fueled our players’ off-season work since January.”
Graduation has taken a few key players off the Danville roster, notably, Levi Lyons, who was selected by prep sportswriters as Division VII Defensive Player of the Year last year. Other grads include Max Payne, Kaiden Colopy, and Dillon Looney.
“We lost a very talented senior class from last year who achieved a lot for our program,” Blum, entering his second year as Danville head coach, said. “However, we still return a lot of key skilled playmakers and most of our offensive line and defensive line.”
The cadre of returners includes quarterback and outside linebacker Walker Weckesser; wide receiver and outside linebacker Bryer Boeshart; running back and linebacker Cole Delaughder; tight end and defensive end Caleb Lucas; tight end and linebacker Josh Byers; and linemen Kendall Carter, Wyatt Nissley and Gavyn Lepley.
That crew will help teach younger players the power-spread offense, Blum said. The younger players to watch are Landon King, Carson Proper, Stevie Rainer, Aidan Mickley, Owen Gronberg and Tyson Payne.
“We use the power spread offense terminology because we like to spread out teams and utilize our power run game,” Blum explained of his offensive strategy. “We are able to jump into a variety of formations with the same personnel and attack defenses in a variety of ways.”
Opponents will face the 3-3 defensive stack that the Blue Devils relied on last season. “Our players are comfortable with it, and it allows us to put as much speed on the field as possible,” Blum said.
Approaches on both sides of the ball helped Danville power to a 27-20 come-from-behind win over Lucas last season to punch the team's ticket to the regional final. The Blue Devils trailed 20-0 entering the fourth quarter and put together several quick scores and defensive holds to advance.
In his seven years of coaching, Blum has developed his core approach, which is “to coach your kids hard, have high expectations, but also love your players.”
It is a philosophy that put the Blue Devils on the path to success and allowed them to tick off several goals last season.
One objective every year is to beat East Knox. They doubled up on their KMAC foe a year ago, walking away with a 42-21 Devil-Dog game win and ending East Knox’s four-year winning streak.
“We have had a strong showing in camp from a lot of young guys this year,” he said. “Our older guys have done a great job getting better in whatever role we have asked them to be in.”
Danville kicks off the season at home vs. Worthington Christian School Friday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m.
