Danville (10-0, 7-0) faced Eat Knox (6-4, 5-2) in what Coach Matt Blum dubbed the "Mud Bowl", and while the Bulldogs fought KMAC’s top team through overtime, the Blue Devils finished the season undefeated with a 14-12 win.
“The game against East Knox will be one to remember for a long time and will be referred to as the Mud Bowl!” Coach Blum said. “It was hard to get anything going offensively for both teams. However, we made plays on both sides of the ball when we needed to. Our QB and OLB Walker Weckesser had a heck of a game and carried our team to victory.”
The Blue Devils had been putting up huge numbers all season, but Friday turned out to be a messy defensive battle in the trenches. Weckesser scored both touchdowns, as well as the eventual game winning two-point conversion in overtime to lead the Blue Devils to the win and sole possession of the conference title. This was the first time since 2015 that the Blue Devils have had an undefeated season.
Danville and East Knox were tied 6-6 at the end of regulation. While both teams scored a touchdown in overtime, Danville scored on a two point conversion to win 14-12 and take the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference title.
Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter but in the second quarter Walker Weckesser ran it in from two-yards out for a touchdown to go up 6-0. They failed to complete the two-point conversion, however. East Knox responded when Jax Lester tossed a 45-yard touchdown pass to Bracen Davis, but Will Jensen missed the extra point, and it was a 6-6 game at the half.
In what was a defensive battle between two tough teams, it was 6-6 at the end of regulation. East Knox forced two turnovers on interceptions in the fourth quarter by Jensen and Davis.
Danville struck first in overtime, with Walker Weckesser scoring on a five-yard run and then completing the two-point conversion. The Bulldogs responded with Lester connecting with Davis again, this time for two yards. East Knox needed to go for two, and Blake Elliott was stopped at the line of scrimmage by Josh Byers, Jr., securing the win for the Blue Devils.
Danville fought hard for the win in a low scoring affair. This was something they were not accustomed to this season, as they averaged 46.7 points per game and allowed 14.5 points.
Weckesser had a tough day throwing the ball with the nasty weather, going 4-for-14 for 80 yards and a pair of fourth quarter interceptions. However, he continued to be a dual threat as he was the team’s top rusher with 22 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Weckesser now has 13 rushing touchdowns on the season and has been one of the best players in the conference both passing and running the ball.
Weckesser also tallied six tackles with one for a loss on defense.
Cole Delaughder had a quiet day on offense with 13 carries for 35 yards, and also caught two passes for 26 yards. On defense he had seven tackles with one for a loss and a pass deflection.
Carson Proper had one catch for 49 yards and Aidan Burke had a five-yard catch.
The defense was led by Byers with 16 tackles and two for a loss. Dakota Ricketts had 12 tackles and two for a loss. Both Caleb Lucas and Boeshart had 10 tackles, with two for a loss for Lucas and one for a loss for Boeshart. Boeshart also deflected two passes. Burke tallied seven tackles with one for a loss.
Coach Blum was very happy with the play of his team, saying Byers, Lucas and Boeshart stood out on defense. He also commended Weckesser for leading the team to the win despite the difficult playing conditions.
It was a valiant effort for East Knox in the conference rivalry matchup, with Davis pacing the offense with seven catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns. In a game where offense was at a premium, Davis was a standout player for the Bulldogs. Davis also returned one punt for 18 yards and on defense he picked off a pass. Davis finished the season with a KMAC high 43 catches, 638 yards good for second in the conference, and nine touchdowns.
Lester was 11-for-22 for 162 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 16 carries for 24 yards. The game put Lester over the 1,000 mark, now tallying 1,157 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions on the year.
Caden Wengerd caught two passes for 56 yards.
Blake Elliott had a huge day on defense with 21 tackles and one for a loss. Jensen and Davis each had interceptions. Alex Dolby had 11 tackles and a sack, while Bryar Householder tallied seven tackles and a sack. Shane Gardner also got to the quarterback for a sack and six tackles.
Next up is tournament play for both teams. No. 2 Danville hosts No. 15 McDonald on Friday at 7 p.m. in the OHSAA Region 25 first round.
“We are looking forward to moving onto the playoffs in a highly competitive Region 25,” Coach Blum said.
No. 9 East Knox travels to No. 8 Martins Ferry on Friday at at 7 p.m. in the Region 23 first round.
