MOUNT VERNON – A tight battle can turn on a single play. Late in the first half Friday, Bryer Boeshart delivered it.
The Danville senior took a handoff on a sweep and outran the entire New Middletown Springfield defense for a 77-yard touchdown. The run gave his team a 16-0 lead and gave the Blue Devils all the momentum needed to dominate the Tigers, 32-6, in their regional quarterfinal at Yellow Jacket Stadium.
“That was our message at halftime, that we had them right where we wanted them,” Danville coach Matt Blum said. “We could see that they were tired. And our guys looked pretty good. It speaks to their work ethic the past seven months to get to this spot.”
The win put Danville at 12-0 on the season. More importantly, it gives the Blue Devils their second straight trip to the regional semis.
The 2023 edition of the Blue Devils could be the most complete team Danville has fielded in years. In past seasons, one or two dominant players on offense and defense carried the team. But this year, the weapons come from every angle.
“It means a lot to hear that. To be considered in the upper eschelon of teams in Danville is great,” Blum said. “We’ve won games where we’ve had to score a lot of points. This time, this was a defensive battle. I think we really wore them down.”
Cole Delaughder had his best playoff game of his career, finishing with 219 rushing yards – 165 in the second half – and two touchdowns. His second touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a 64-yard run in which he shook off several tacklers downfield.
Junior Aiden Burke scored Danville’s final touchdown on a 28-yard run with three minutes to play.
On paper, Danville had a relatively slow first half, gaining 163 yards, with 77 on one carry. But the team ended up with 163 yards in one of its best showings all season, totaling 486 rushing yards while allowing Springfield only 83.
Despite scoring four times, Danville’s best drive may have been one that didn’t end in points.
After taking the second-half kickoff, the Blue Devils marched down the field on a 19-play drive/ By the time they were stopped on fourth down at the Springfield 19, Danville had eroded 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. It forced Springfield – primarily a running team – to switch to more of a passing attack.
Once Danville scored again with 7:30 left in the fourth quarter, Springfield (8-4) took the kickoff all the way to the Danville 20.
The ensuing drive led to the only score for the Tigers on a three-yard carry – but the short drive took over four minutes off the clock, leaving Springfield with little time for a comeback.
“Our kids never quit. They fight. They fight. They fight,” Blum repeated. “And I’ve seen them grow so much in the past two years.
“We don’t want this run to end. No one sees what goes on behind the scenes – the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday grind. But for us, we know. And it’s great that this community gets to experience this.”
Danville’s next opponent will be Lowellville. The Rockets, out of Mahoning County, defeated Western Reserve, 32-7, on Friday. The neutral site will be determined by the OHSAA on Sunday afternoon.
