DANVILLE — Standing on the field after Danville annihilated the Dalton Bulldogs 48-12, Blue Devils coach Matt Blum said eight months of preparation was baked into a successful season opener.
“That’s what a good off-season program looks like,” Blum said. “They have worked their tails off since January.”
Dalton fumbled on its first possession and Cy Wallace covered it. On the first play from scrimmage, Wallace bolted down the home sideline for a long TD run.
The Blue Devils were in complete command from there, shooting out to a 26-0 first-quarter lead. With just seven ticks off the clock in the second period, Danville found the end zone again for a whopping 34-0 lead.
(Photos by Dan Werner)
Dalton began to show signs of life, forcing Danville’s first punt of the game, which traveled just 25 yards. The Bulldogs took advantage by scoring a touchdown with 5:04 remaining in the first half, the extra point snap was fumbled, and the score stood at 34-6.
Dalton was able to score again with just under two minutes remaining in the first half, sending the teams into the intermission with a 34-12 score.
Wallace reasserted control to the home team by crossing the goal line with 5:31 remaining in the third period. Danville was able to score one more time, and the two-point conversion was successful.
That started a running clock against the defending Wayne County Athletic League champions.
With such a convincing win, Blum was naturally pleased with his team.
“I am extremely proud of this group,” Blum said. “They are very coachable, they are great kids, they do what they are told, and tonight you saw the by-product of that.”
Even with the win, the coach knows it is a long season.
“We learned what we are capable of, but it must be consistent,” he said. “Last year, we won the first game and lost the second.
“We are going to put ourselves in a position to have a really great season.”
Next Friday the Blue Devils will travel to Licking County to face the Utica Redskins.