The Moody Blue Devils faced all kinds of adversity throughout the night Friday night, but they found a way to grind a hard fought 8-7 win over county rival Springville High School to open the 2016 season.

At Bill Morris Stadium, the Springville Tigers moved the ball quite well during the game, especially late in the first quarter. Springville work horse Jordan Bird got the first score of the game and of the season for the Tigers with a 14 yard run to the end zone. The extra point was good and with 3:40 left in the opening quarter, the Tiger led the Blue Devils 7-0. 

The first turnover by the Moody defense comes by way of an interception by Ethan Mills to end the first quarter with the score still 7-0 Tigers 

Moody best scoring chance of the first half came in the second quarter with a drive led by the work horse for the Blue Devils in running back Gabriel (Gabe Webb) Webb had runs of 9, 1, 5, 3, 4, 26, and 4 yards. The drive ended on an interception at the one yard line by the Tigers Camron Jack. Each team had the ball for one more possession appease for the rest of the half, but the score would remain 7-0 Tigers at the half.

Springville put together a long time consuming drive that at up the third quarter. The drive eventually stalled out and the Tigers set up for a 29-yard field goal. Kyle Ivy came flying around the outside and blocked the attempt and the score remained 7-0 Tigers after three quarters. 

The all-or-nothing drive of the night for the Blue Devils started with 7:21 left in the game. Moody’s drive started on their own 38-yard line with a 10-yard carry by Gabe Webb. Webb later caught a pass from quarterback Louie Goff for a 12 yard gain. This drive had five big penalties. One of which negated a 44 yard touchdown pass reception. The biggest penalty of the drive came against the Tigers, who picked up their second roughing the passer penalty of the drive to set the Blue Devils up at the Springville 21 yard line. Facing third and eight at the 19, Goff took the snap and through a beautiful fade pass in the back corner of the end zone to Kyle Ivy for the touchdown. Moody’s Coach Brown decided to go for two to put Moody ahead. Webb ran in for the conversion and Moody took an 8-7 lead with 3:46 left in the ball game. 

The Tigers then had one drive to win the game. They found themselves facing 4^th and 2 at the Moody 38 yard line. The Blue Devil defense bowed up and made the stop and got the ball back on downs. Moody hold on for a very hard fought 8-7 win.

The Moody defense came up big in this win. Ethan Jeff, Caleb Sciro, and Chris Gragg each had fumble recoveries. Kyle Ivy, Bubba Green and Sciro each caused fumbles and Ivy blocked a field goal.

Gabe Webb led the offense with 80 yards on 18 carries. Brandon Andrews, Kyle Ivy, Caleb Sciro, and Gabe Webb each had receptions. Louie Goff had a touchdown pass in the win. Moody is 1-0 to start the season.

The Blue Devils go on the road and enter region play for the first time tomorrow night with a trip to Briarwood to face the Lions. The Blue Devils return home next Friday night to host Shelby County in region play.

Kickoff for Friday night’s game at Briarwood is at 7 p.m.