×

Blue Devils’ defensive line shows strength

Photo by Michael Uhl St. Marys squares off against Williamstown players at a football game Friday night in Williamstown.

WILLIAMSTOWN — The old adage in football is defense wins championships.

Although Friday night’s Class A showdown between visiting St. Marys and Williamstown was just a regular season affair, there was no doubt defense was the key as the No. 3 Blue Devils improved to 5-0 after handing the No. 11 Yellowjackets a 21-7 setback.

In an affair played through heavy downpours at times which led to a muddy track for both Little Kanawha Conference programs, it was the St. Marys defense which stood out. The Blue Devils broke a 7-all tie at intermission by scoring two touchdowns and a safety in the second half while holding a total yardage advantage of 195 to negative 5 after halftime.

“It was nice to get out here and play in the mud, but man I love turf,” said Blue Devil Braden Barnhart, whose 44-yard touchdown reception from Will Billeter with 2:10 left to play sealed the victory.

“Coming here on their home field and beating them, it means a lot because a lot of people didn’t give us a chance. It just shows that we can play with anyone on turf or grass.”

Billeter’s 1-yard TD run midway through the first was countered by WHS signal-caller Trenton Tallman racing 53 yards untouched to paydirt early in the second. While Tallman rushed 13 times for 126 stripes in the first half, he was held to 11 yards on seven attempts in the second half.

“We were running a six-man front in the first half so as soon as he got through one hole it was like he was gone because he was past the first level,” Barnhart added. “It the second half we adjusted and came out in a 5-3 and our defensive tackle Jacob Northrop stepped up big and was making some big tackles.”

Barnhart finished with four key receptions for 82 yards while tailback Jaiden Smith added 88 ground yards and Ryan Miller 57 more.

“Basically, at halftime, we just had to reevaluate what we were doing defensively because they started moving it on us,” Miller stated. “We knew we were having trouble moving the ball running so we started the pass game and that started to work real well.”

Miller gave big props to the offensive line. While center Tucker Dalrymple didn’t have too much trouble in the rain snapping it to Billeter, the Yellowjackets couldn’t find an answer for the Blue Devils’ left side.

“Devin Boley (left guard) and Jacob Northrop (left tackle), that’s our left side. Two seniors and they are powerhouses,” Miller added. “I mean they are animals and we have Jeremy Smith at right guard and Antone (Herring) at right tackle. They do just as well. They are just a year younger and need to have more experience and they’ve got good things coming for them.

“This is amazing. Emotions are flowing. This is our last regular season game with Williamstown and you know how that rivalry is. We are definitely going to be celebrating for this one. This one is great.”

Williamstown was unable to take advantage of six first-half fumbles by the Blue Devils.

When Billeter was asked if the Blue Devils maybe had some good karma going he replied, “I know. It’s about time we get some good luck, I guess. We made some adjustments in the second half on defense. Coach (Jay) Powell did good on that.

“When the rain quit we could pick up our offense and that took a little pressure off the defense. This is a big win for us. Both of these teams are probably top two in single-A, I’d say. Both teams played really good, but I think our seniors led us in the second half.”

Billeter had the go-ahead 19-yard touchdown run early in the fourth. The Blue Devils also got a team safety with WHS punting out of its own end zone and then the proverbial nail in the coffin on Billeter’s TD pass just 33 seconds after the safety.

“I run a flat route, an out route, away from the fake,” Barnhart explained on his catch-and-run score. “We try to get them to bite going the other way and I just go right past the outside linebacker. I saw the outside linebacker bite on the fake and there was no one else out there.

“As soon as I caught it I looked upfield and saw my wide receiver number seven Sam Kincaid, he was just standing there. I knew he was going to crack-back on anyone who was behind me.”

Although St. Marys head coach Jodi Mote wasn’t around for the first meeting between the two rivals in 1913, he was more than stoked about the Blue Devils’ effort as they now lead the series 56-30-1.

“The defensive coaching staff did a nice job and made some adjustments there and our kids bought into it and played well,” Mote said. “I think that was the difference.

“Williamstown is our rival, obviously, and I felt like our kids responded. We just felt like on offense if we could keep a hold of the football we would be able to move the ball. The kids came out and they responded. We’re very, very proud of them.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today