Blue Devils pick up first win of season

Clif Knight
Hartselle Enquirer

FALKVILLE – Falkville’s Blue Devils clawed their way off the bottom of 2A, Region 7 standings by breaking open a scoreless game with a third quarter touchdown and went on to defeat Cold Springs 14-6 Friday night.
Both teams entered the contest sitting at the bottom of region standings with 0-5 records. By winning the Blue Devils jumped over Cold Springs and landed in eighth place with a 1-5 mark and gave coaches, players and fans a good reason to celebrate homecoming.
“We’re glad to get a win,” said first year head coach Brent Vest.” This team has worked hard and hung in there in spite of the injuries and disappointments we’ve had. I’m proud of them for sticking it out.”
“I thought our defense stepped up and made some big plays tonight, especially in the second half,” he added. “Our quarterback (Chad Kirkpatrick) managed the game well and we were able to get some big plays out of our offense.”
Defense dominated the first half of play, as neither team was able to reach the red zone.
The Blue Devils reached Cold Springs’ 25-yard line late in the second period, marching 45 yards on 11 plays after recovering a fumble on their own 29-yard line. The visitors turned over the ball three times, twice on fumbles and a once on a pass interception.
A 12-yard touchdown run by Brye Hill broke the game open in Falkville’s favor with 2:57 left in the third period. Justin Cobb booted the extra point to make the score 7-0. The touchdown capped a 65-yard drive on six plays and followed a 32-yard run by Zach Garrison.
The Blue Devils bumped their advantage to 14-0 on the strength of a 39-yard touchdown pass from Kirkpatrick to Drew Nall and a PAT conversion by Cobb with 5:28 left in the game.
The pass caught the visiting Eagles by surprise and left Nall running free of defenders when he caught the ball 25 yards from the end zone.
The visitors answered by scoring their only touchdown on a six-yard run by Vince Stewart with 4:31 left in the final period.
Stewart’s extra point kick was blocked.
The touchdown was set up by a 39-yard pass from Justin Abby to James Jackson. The ball was tipped twice by Falkville defenders before it fell into Jackson’s hands.
On their final possession, the Eagles had to start from their own seven-yard line, following a 38-yard Hill punt. Four plays later they gave up the ball on downs on their own one-yard line.
On the last play of the game, Kirkpatrick took a knee rather than to run a play and try to score.
Garrison paced the Blue Devils on offense with 94 yards rushing on 12 carries.