DANVILLE — Winning the coin toss and electing to receive was the only victory Toronto could claim on Friday night.
The Red Knights became the latest victim of the juggernaut that is the Danville Blue Devil football powerhouse. Coach Matt Blum’s squad erupted for a 46-0 victory in a Division VII, Region 27 semifinal.
“These boys deserve a lot of credit for the way they have played,” Blum said. “The senior class became the winningest class in program history, with 45 wins, and you know that is special. I have a lot of respect for that.
“It isn’t everywhere that this happens and this community is very lucky to have this team.”
After taking the opening kick, the visitors fumbled with 8:20 left in the first stanza. Cy Wallace pounced on the loose ball, giving the Devils possession on their own 43. Danville needed just two minutes to find paydirt. With a successful two-point conversion, the Blue Devils led 8-0.
With just three ticks remaining in the first period and Danville facing a fourth-down, Wallace took off on a 59-yard gallop giving his team a 16-0 first-period lead.
It was an evening of records, the 59-yard run placed Wallace alone atop the Danville rushing records. The previous record was held by Heath Buckingham, who set it in 2011. Also adding to the record books, Parker Proper broke a 64-year-old record for points after touchdowns.
The game itself was all Blue Devils. By halftime it was 32-0 and the entire second half was played with a running clock.
Aidan Mickley caught two touchdown passes in the second half to finish it.
The most emotional part of the game came with 5:30 remaining, when the seniors left the Tough Street Stadium turf for the final time.
“It’ s just special for them, it is the only time we have been able to play a Week 13 game at home,” Blum said.
Last season, the Blue Devils faced Waterford at Waterford in a Week 13 game the Devils won, 19-14.
“This year we were able to play at home,” Blum said. “I think it is a great way to end their career on Tough Street with a resounding victory.”
All season Blum has been adamant that the scoreboard does not determine success or failure, that has not changed.
“It’s about the process. It’s not about the win; it’s about the process get there,” the coach said. “We want to win the game. We want to win each play.
“It is the process these kids go through, not just on game day, but every single day.”
One word Blum used to describe the difference between last year’s 8-6 record and this season’s campaign he stated without a blemish: “Maturing.”
That maturation process doesn’t come without sacrifice.
“My staff deserve a lot of credit,” Blum said. “They do a phenomenal job from the top down; they will look at the score and think we are just blowing it out, but they don’t see the work that goes on behind the scenes.
“All pf the hours spent putting together game plans and spending time away from family, I am lucky to be with them every single day.”
Second-seeded Danville will meet No. 1-seed Willow Wood Symmes Valley next Friday night in a regional championship game. That contest will be played at a neutral site, announced on Sunday by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
Symmes Valley (12-0) overpowered Shadyside 56-22 on Friday night, also in a running clock affair.
(Photos by Dan Werner)
