DANVILLE — What a difference a year can make.
On Oct. 10, 2025 the Centerburg Trojans played host to the Danville Blue Devils and handed the visitors a 44-14 thrashing.
History was not about to repeat itself on Friday night, as Danville returned the favor by dismantling the Trojans 48-0.
The KMAC title was on the line, with both teams entering the evening with identical 5-0 conference records.
Danville wasted little time lighting the scoreboard when Nolan Ridgeway scampered into the end zone with just under four minutes elapsed in the first quarter. Cy Wallace found paydirt on the two-point conversion, putting the home team up 8-0.
Three minutes into the second period, Ridgeway took off on a 49-yard gallop, and the two-point conversion gave the home team a 16-0 bulge. The 49-yard run accounted for just under half of his 100-plus yards for the game.
“At halftime, I was told I was at 73 (yards), and our offensive coordinator said he was going to try and get me there, so I was pretty confident that they were going to give me the ball,” Ridgeway said while standing in the pouring rain at Tough Street Field.
The game’s MVP had his mind drift from his stellar performance to the weather.
“It was a great game; it was awesome. It has been raining all day. We played a couple of games. My sophomore year, we had the Mud Bowl,” he said.
The “Mud Bowl” was one of the things that prompted the stadium’s complete renovation, including turf over natural grass.
Coach Matt Blum acknowledged Ridgeway’s exploits.
“Last year he was our quarterback and for the benefit of the team, we moved him and he is fine with that,” Blum said. “Whatever is the best for the team. That is just the kind of person he is.”
A successful onside kick by Danville and a fumble recovery all contributed to the lopsided final tally.
Cy Wallace, on pace to rewrite the rushing record books, said preparation was the key.
“I have to stay sharp all week, and then after preparing all week, things come together on Friday night,” Wallace said. “(Coach) has always put me in great spots, they coach me up and I love it.”
What is Wallace looking for in his future?
“Beat East Knox” he said with a laugh, referring to next week’s Devil/Dog game.
Blum agreed with his star.
“Our next big goal is to beat East Knox,” Blum said. “We can enjoy this one for now, but it is back to work on Monday.”
Given the historical significance of the game against the Blue Devils, does the coach do anything differently?
“We treat every opponent the same way, we look at fields, determine strengths and weaknesses and build a game plan around that,” Blum said.
Next Friday, records, personal and team, conference and state playoff implications are thrown out the window as the teams square off in what has become an iconic rivalry. This year, the Devil/Doog game will be contested at East Knox.
The Trojans dropped to 6-3 overall, 5-1 in the KMAC. Centerburg finishes its regular season at home next week against Fredericktown.
(Photos by Dan Werner)
