Pollard Tries to Pull Devils into Playoffs

The Blue Devils were trounced at home 33-13 by the Sherwood Warriors. The Devils focused most of their attention on the Warrior’s running back, Cyrus Britt. They did a good job holding Britt in check but as a result were lit up by the Warrior’s quarterback, AJ Pignone, who threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns.

"Sherwood was a tough loss; the team couldn’t unite to get the W," junior tight end Adam Murray said.

The Devils upset the Whitman Vikings 13-8 in a nail biter on October 23. The previously 6-1 Vikings were favored at home against the Devils. The Devils scored the games first points when senior quarterback Eric Freniere hooked up with senior wide receiver Mitchell Pollard for a nine yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter.

Whitman fought back and scored a touchdown of their own and they added on a two point conversion. The Vikings led 8-7, until junior running back Devon Pestano ran for a touchdown.

Unable to add on the extra point, the Devils led the Vikings 13-8. The Devils defense held and out did not allow the Vikings to come back.

"We need to keep performing so we can achieve our ultimate goal of making the playoffs," senior linebacker Joe Galeano said.

The Devils toppled the Magruder Colonels 30-0 on October 17 en route to their fifth win of the season. Despite the steady rain and 40 degree temperature, the Devils came into their homecoming game with a lot of confidence.

"We had a good week of practice and we already knew they weren’t ready for us," junior wide receiver Etienne Bodog-Bikim said.

Sloppy field conditions contributed to multiple turnovers for both teams. The Devils fumbled three times, but that was nothing compared to the Colonels who coughed it up six times. The Devils special teams made a big difference in this game. They recovered a fumble, blocked a punt and were set up in good field position all game thanks to starting return man senior Mitchell Pollard.

The offense made a few mistakes but the defense was able to pick up the slack.

"Joe Galeano played a great defensive game for us," head coach Rob Wendel said. The Devils tried a different approach in the first quarter, running the wildcat style offense with Pollard.

When they went back to a more traditional offense they were led once again by Pestano who ran for three touchdowns with tough goal line running.

The field conditions were not very befitting to the passing game of the Devils.

"I played my hardest on Saturday, I stayed calm and controlled the huddle the best that I could," Freniere said.

The Devils had a similar outcome on October 9 when they faced the Richard Montgomery Rockets at home. They thrashed the Rockets 47-0.

Pestano had four runs of over 30 yards, three of which went for touchdowns, in the first half alone. He finished with nine carries for 163 yards and three touchdowns.

The last game of the Devils regular season is today against consortium rival, the Paint Branch Panthers.

"This game is what our season comes down to. It is by far our biggest game this year," Galeano said.

The Devils season goal of making the playoffs comes down to this one game. If they win they are in and if they lose they are done.