BLUE DEVILS STORM DOWN ON COLUMBIANA
By Joe Eusebio
COLUMBIANA OH- On an evening designed to bring flowers in May rather than football in September, the Western Reserve Blue Devils rained touchdowns upon the Columbiana Clippers Friday night resulting in 35-7 victory at Fisher Stadium in Columbiana.
A 45 minute delay for lightening was an issue for the second week in a row at the new Fisher Stadium. This one came at 3:29 of the first quarter with the Blue Devils up 7-0 after a 21 yardtouchdown run from Senior Jack Darney and the extra point courtesy of kicker Andriy Chuta Suy.
The rain continued on and off for the rest of the evening as the Clippers tied it up at 7:49 of the second quarter when Week One YSN Big Dog Spencer Pruitt scored from the one yard line. Aidan Radcliff add the PAT and it was 7-7.
After that it was all Blue Devils with Junior QB Chris Pater scoring from a yard out at 2:09 of the second quarter. Chuta Suy made it 14-7 with the PAT. Then in the 3rd, Senior Dom Ricciardi got into the act, busting out for a 66 yard touchdown run at the 10:20 mark. Chuta Suy connected on his third of five straight PATs and it was 21-7, Blue Devils.
In the 4th Quarter, the Devils added two more touchdowns. Pater scored on a five yard run at 10:40, then freshman Timmy Serensky, closed it out with a six yard run with 1:25 remaining in the game. Chuta Suy hit both PATs for a final of 35-7.
Darney led both squads in rushing with 128 yards on 20 carries. Blue Devil teammate Ricciardi had 125 yards on ten carries. QB Pater ran for 90 yards on 14 carries and also threw for 11 yards, completing 2 of 4 attempts.
The Clippers were led on the ground by Spencer, who gained 46 yards on 14 carries and Sophomore Jensen Nordquist who ran for 19 yards on six attempts. Due to injuries, the Clippers used three quarterbacks, Liam Surgenavic completed four of six passes for 29 yards, Sophomore Hayes McCoy was 2-6 for -13 yards and freshman Ethan Lehnerd missed on his only attempt. Clipper sophomore linebacker Devin Brode had 10 tackles and Safety Surgenavic added five.
The Clippers (0-3) head to United next week to take on the Golden Eagles (2-1) as EOAC play gets underway. Western Reserve (3-0) will host McDonald (2-1) in a MVAC, Scarlet Tier clash.
