The Blue Devil Varsity Football Team took the field for their second home game on Sept. 12. Despite Utica’s strong effort, South managed to pull away with a 35-14 win.

Early on in the first half, the score was close. Coach Jeff Nyenhuis said that the team gave up a lot of yards and a pretty easy touchdown early on, but they didn’t let those setbacks bring them down.

“I was impressed with their attitude and aggressiveness,” Nyenhuis said. “They have a nose for football. They love to go tackle and hit people, and I never have to question their effort.”

Middle linebacker Throop Linnell ’27 said that the team really succeeded in keeping forward momentum throughout the game.

“It’s really good to feel like your time isn’t wasted,” Linnell said. “If we lost, I feel like I could have had a better use for my time, but we won. I feel like we won in a good way, so playing football and practicing football is the best way I could have spent my time.”

From the student section, Grace Bieri ’29 said she felt the success of the team fuel the energy of the spectators.

“After the first South touchdown was when we all started to get really excited,” said Bieri. “Football games definitely spark a lot of school spirit into everyone.”

Nyenhuis described Linnell as one of many standout players on the field. Linnell said that the coaching staff put a lot of pressure on him to lead the defense. He believes that this win, however good it may feel, cannot get into the team’s head.

“We can’t get complacent,” said Linnell. “This win isn’t going to help us next week. We need to win again. As my coach would say, the most important play is the next play.”