The Danville Blue Devils defeated the Loudonville Redbirds 22-0 in the pouring rain, Sept. 27.
In a game that could only be described as a mud fest, the Blue Devils' defense shut down the Redbirds offense. Danville stuck to their identity, as they continually ran the ball all night.
After a scoreless first quarter, Danville scored for the first time with 32 seconds left in the second quarter on a 4-yard touchdown run by running back Aidan Burke. After a successful two-point conversion, both teams went into the locker room attempting to get dry.
The rain let up in the second half, but the field was a muddy mess. Quarterback Jacob Hackman led the Blue Devils down the field and found the end zone with a miraculous 18-yard throw, in which wide receiver Wesley Payne made an over-the-shoulder catch for the score.
When asked about the play, Payne gave all the credit to his coach and quarterback.
“Coach called a great play, I was wide open off of the motion, Hackman put the ball right where I needed to make the catch. It was just a great play,” he said.
Danville sealed the win with a final touchdown run in the third quarter, where Hackman ran to the outside for a 23-yard gain and score.
Hackman only attempted 4 passes the whole night but completed three of them going 3-4 for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Burke ran the ball 22 times for 110 yards over the course of the four quarters.
“I don't run hard for myself, I run hard for my team. My offensive line gives me holes and pushes the defensive guys out of the way, they make my job so easy. They are always picking me up and supporting me no matter the outcome of the play,” Burke said after the game.
Blue Devils Coach Matthew Blum was very proud of his guys for the victory especially coming off a loss to Northmor last week.
“I'm proud of the way my guys played tonight. When you're playing in conditions like this it's just so hard to make plays out here. They are a resilient group. That drive where we scored in the second quarter, a nine-minute drive, pounding one in before halftime, that is what Danville football is. That shows you what kind of program we are and what kids we have,” he said.
Danville moves to 4-2 on the season with the win.
