Catchy nicknames were about all the Springfield Spartans could come up with as happy days returned to Overdale Field with a huge 25-0 shutout by B Team Blue!
The Blue Devils lost the coin flip (which was about the only thing that went badly for them!) but the defense quickly handed possession back to the offensive unit as they began their first drive. It only took 3 plays before Kane Wolfe broke out for a 52 yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, B Team Blue was unable to convert and the score was 6-0.
A tough game as the host B Team Blue falls to the Black Tigers by a final score of 24-19. This one was a thriller that came down to the final seconds--actually, the final 1.7 seconds--but more about that later.
B Team Blue was caught off guard as the Black Tigers' quarterback threw a perfect strike to his tight end who had sneaked behind the secondary for a 55-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage. Both defenses held tough as the first quarter drew to a close with the Black Tigers ahead by a score of 6-0. As the second quarter got under way, Falls capped off a scoring drive on a run to the right from 25-yards out. The Devils' defense held the Black Tigers back on the conversion and kept the score close at 12-0. On the first play following the ensuing kickoff, Michael Beane ran the ball 50 yards to the Tigers' 5-yard line.
Three plays later, Michael scored on a three yard sweep to the left to give the Devils' their first score, which they also converted.
The first half came to a close with the Black Tigers ahead 12-7.
To start the second half, Andrew Shannon commanded his troops downfield. This drive was capped off by a gutsy 31-yard touchdown run by Kane Wolfe.
Credit goes to the offensive line who held tough on their blocks throughout this drive and although B Team Blue was unable to convert the extra point, the lead shifted as the Devils lead by a score of 13-12.
Bad news for the Devils, however, as a crafty Black Tiger took the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the Tallmadge 12-yard line. Two plays later, the Tigers were in the end zone again on a six-yard run to the left and another lead change of 18-13. As the fourth quarter got underway, B Team Blue engineered another drive downfield and Kane Wolfe struck again on a 33-yard reverse touchdown run.
Now the lead changes again as the good guys take a 19-18 lead. The Devils' offense gets a gift as B Team Blue recovers the kickoff, and a chance to close things out as the clock becomes a factor.
The Black Tigers' defense stiffens on the drive and Falls is able to mount another offensive drive. Another big run by a Black Tiger takes the ball to the Devils' 17-yard line. The Tallmadge defensive unit drives the Falls Black Tigers back, and on a big fourth down play, the Devils make a huge play to get the ball back in the hands of the offense as the clock nears the two minute mark.
B Team Blue is unable to get anything going and after four downs, the Black Tigers get one more chance. With 37 seconds showing on the clock, the Cuyahoga Falls QB connects on a 38- yard pass to paydirt and the Black Tigers take a 24-19 lead as time is running out.
With under 10 seconds to go, Kane runs right for 15 yards from the 50 and alertly goes out of bounds at the 35. Now B Team Blue has 1.7 seconds on the clock to pull off a final, miracle play. Similar call: the pitch out to Kane with Chris LaMancusa as the lead blocker. The horn blows as Kane passes the 30, he dodges past two Falls defenders at the 25, makes a spin move at the 20, but is unable to elude the Black Tigers' safeties at the 15! Final score Falls 24, Tallmadge 19.
A great job by all players, but notable mentions are Andrew Shannon, Andrew Francesconi (who almost intercepted a pass out of mid-air for TD), Michael Beane and finally Kane Wolfe, who rushed for over 100 yards in the losing effort. After the game, TYF Director Sam Williams told me this may have been one of the most exciting games he's ever seen at Overdale Field. I'm sure many will agree.
Next week, another thriller at home as B Team Blue hosts Springfield!
An impressive victory for B Team Blue on the road against the Stow Bulldogs! Today's game was highlighted by Michael Beane's over one hundred yards rushing and scoring all three touchdowns. Nevertheless, today's victory was a complete team effort as the players and coaches looked to regroup after last week's loss to Field.
B Team Blue's defense held the Stow Bulldogs to a quick four-and-out to begin the game and give the offense a chance to strike. Kane swung to the right for a huge 40+ yard run that put the Devils inside the Stow 20 yard line. Michael Beane scored immediately after, putting B Team Blue ahead 6-0 before 2 minutes had even ticked off the clock! Play swung back and forth for the rest of the half which ended after a 40-minute lightning delay. This short time under cover seemed to build team camaraderie and pumped the Devils up even more! Fans, coaches and players were even treated to a "Statue of Liberty" play which the Bulldogs pulled off to perfection. They were, however, unable to capitalize on their efforts.
After a short but spirited halftime show by the cheerleaders, B Team Blue returned to the field and struck quickly. Good runs by Kane, Evan Stricker and Andrew Shannon who started at QB this week and did a masterful job leading the Devils downfield. A couple of punishing runs between the tackles by Chris LaMancusa set up Michael Beane's second touchdown from 38 yards out on a sweep to the left. Much of the same during the fourth quarter as the Stow Bulldogs were unable to capitalize on some strong running. B Team Blue's defense was simply impenetrable and the offense again took over. Michael then capped off his hundred-yard game with another 38 yard touchdown run followed by a successful conversion as Andrew Shannon rolled right and followed his blockers into the end zone.
No punting was needed tonight, but the Devils showed a new look kickoff as they went for the high kick, not the onside kick. A great game plan by the coaches executed perfectly by the offensive line, and hard tackles by all defensive players! Of note: the Tallmadge Blue Devils were only penalized twice! One other note: due to technical difficulties (and rain) we were unable to videotape tonight's game--sorry Mike!
Next week, B Team Blue returns to the warm and fuzzy confines of Overdale Field as we take on the Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers. It should be a good one!
A tough loss on the road as the host Falcons bested B Team Blue by a final score of 12-0.
The Blue Devils struggled to make anything happen offensively, and had huge gains wiped out by a large number of penalties. The defensive unit held the tough Falcons' offense scoreless in the first half. The Falcons were persistent and managed scores in both the 3rd and 4th quarters but were unable to convert on either of them. High praise to the Falcons' line and running attack up the middle. Unfortunately, there were no highlights to speak of on the Devils' side.
Time to regroup and return to basics as we prepare for next Wednesday's road game against Stow. This will not be the same Stow team we saw in week one, so be ready for some grueling time on the practice field!!
Catchy nicknames were about all the Springfield Spartans could come up with as happy days returned to Overdale Field with a huge 25-0 shutout by B Team Blue!
