Danville’s football season came to a heartbreaking end Friday night in a hard-fought Division VII state semifinal, as the Blue Devils fell to Hillsdale, 25-22, at the Whippet Athletic Complex, in Shelby, Ohio.
Despite a dominant first half, where the Blue Devils (12-3) built a 22-12 lead, they were ultimately undone in the second half, as Hillsdale’s defense made critical stops and capitalized on key opportunities. Danville, led by standout performances from Aidan Burke and Cyren Wallace, powered their offense to 236 rushing yards in the first half. Wallace got things started with a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and Burke followed with two second-quarter touchdowns, giving Danville a commanding lead heading into halftime.
However, the game’s momentum shifted after the break. Danville’s offense struggled in the second half, unable to sustain drives, and the Blue Devils turned the ball over on downs twice in critical moments.
Despite the loss, Danville’s season was one of great achievement, highlighted by a third straight regional championship and a trip to the state semifinals for the first time since 2017. The team’s nine seniors, who played pivotal roles in this success, were devastated by the defeat, but they leave behind a legacy of excellence that has set the bar high for future Blue Devils teams.
“This group has been special,” said Danville coach Matt Blum. “We went far this year…though not as far as we wanted. Next year is a new year and we have a bunch of young guys coming up, who I believe will be up to the challenge of getting us back here.”
While the loss stings, Danville can hold their heads high knowing they competed at the highest level and represented their community with pride. The Blue Devils’ incredible run through the playoffs will be remembered as one of the best in school history.
