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By Will Boyce ’15 | Staff Writer
Despite scoring 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, the Varsity Football Team fell to Dakota, 27-24 on Friday, Oct. 23.
The Blue Devils were matched up against the number six team in the state, in a win or go home situation. If they had won they would have qualified for the playoffs.
“Our backs were against the wall,” head coach Tim Brandon said. “Not only did we have to win to extend our season, we had to do it against one of the best teams in the state.”
At halftime Dakota lead 13-10. The plan was to weather the storm during the third quarter, and win it in the fourth, Ryan Liagre ’15 said.
Dakota marched down the field to score on their first possession of the second half, and tacked on a two point conversion to add insult to injury. South now trailed 21-10. After the dismal start of the second half, things looked better when Sam Hunter ’15 returned the kickoff all the way to the 50 yard line.
Even with stellar field position, the Blue Devils were unable to capitalize. They were forced to punt after a quick three and out.
Dakota, for the second drive in a row, was able to walk down the field and score. After missing the extra point, Dakota led 27-10.
South’s bench had fallen silent, as it seemed that the success they saw in the first half was wearing out, and their season was coming to an end. What they didn’t know was that this would be the last time that Dakota scored.
South’s offense was able to eat away at the Dakota defense on the next drive, and slowly work their way into the end zone. The drive was capped off by a short and powerful Sam Hunter touchdown run, a spark to start the potential comeback.
The disheartening third quarter had ended with a hint of hope, as the bench had something to cheer about. South went into the fourth quarter down 27-17.
The pressure now fell on the other side of the ball, and it was the defense’s turn to succeed and get the ball back in the hands of the offense. Dakota’s offense was able to work their way into field goal position, only to go for the first down on fourth down and fail to convert.
Immediately after acquiring the ball on a turnover on downs, Sam Hunter broke out for a 74 yard run.
In a blink of the eye, it went from Dakota threatening deep in South territory, South threatening deep in Dakota’s territory. On the next play, Sam Blanzy ’15 connected with Andrew Trost ’16 on a slant route over the middle in the end zone.
After scoring 14 unanswered points, South trailed by only three, and was kicking off with 3:09 left in the fourth quarter.
South’s defense held, stopping Dakota and forcing them to punt. South received the ball with less than a minute left. The game ended with a Dakota interception as time expired.
This loss marked the end of the varsity football season. They concluded the year with a losing 4-5 season, including losses to Anchor Bay, North, and Dakota by a cumulative total of six points.
“I was proud of the guys for the effort and passion they showed,” Brandon said. Those things have not been an issue this year, they are a never say die group.”
The offense is graduating starting quarterback and wide receiver combo of Sam and Brian Blanzy, as well as their starting running back Sam Hunter. The defense is losing both their starting cornerbacks, Jalen Cook and Caleb DeBerry.
Brian Blanzy said the season definitely did not go as planned, and it was a really big disappointment that they weren’t practicing this week for a playoff game.
“We don’t believe in rebuilding,” Brandon said. “That wouldn’t be fair to the very talented juniors that will be seniors next year, we have a lot of talented players returning as well as a sophomore class with unlimited potential.”
Photos by Kelsey Baker, Sean Moran, and Nate Graham, all ’15
