Moody Blue Devils, from left, Rashad Clark, Hunter Isbell, Aiden Calver and Joel McCormick are ready for the coin toss. Photo by Willie Strickland.

Rashad Clarks’ 34 carries for 341 yards helped power the Moody Blue Devils to a 41 – 20 win over archrival St. Clair County Friday night. The win ended a two game losing streak to the Saints, but most importantly it was a huge region win for the Blue Devils.

It was a rain soaked Bill Morris Stadium for the renewal of this rivalry. The Saints got the football first to start the game, and the marched down the field. St. Clair overcame huge defensive plays from Aiden Calvert, Christian Archer, and Clark of the Moody defense with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Cade Golden to James Key.    The extra point was blocked by Clark, but the Saints led 6–0.

The Blue Devils answered right back with a 7 play drive that was highlighted by a 25 yard run by Clark to put the Devils in scoring position. Three plays later Moody quarterback Karson Buckner connected with Cyric Williams for a 12 yard score. After another blocked extra point, the score was 6 all with 4:31 left in the first quarter.

The Saints hit pay dirt once again on their third possession of the game when Golden showed off his arm by connecting with Braxton Ragland for a 77-yard touchdown. The extra point was good and the Saints led 13–6 after the first quarter.

The defenses got more involved in the second quarter with Ragland picking off a Buckner pass setting them up first and 10 from their own 4-yard line. On the first play of the drive Moody’s Archer recovered a Saints fumble in the end zone for the touchdown. The extra point was good and with 9:31 left in the half the game was tied at 13.

The rain came in right before halftime and controlled the third quarter. Moody opened the second half with the football from their own 31-yard line. This drive was all about Clark with runs of 5, 26, 4, 5, 37, and 7 to finish off a 6 play scoring drive.  The extra point was good and Moody had their first lead of the game 20–13 with 9:46 left in the third.  

Moody sent the Saints offense to the sideline in three plays and got the ball back first and 10 from their own 40. On second down Clark broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good but Moody had taken control going up 26–13.  

The Saints Rodney Jones blocked a Blue Devil punt leading to a Saints touchdown.  The extra point was good and St. Clair was with 6 points after three quarters. 

After stopping the Blue Devils in three plays and forcing a punt, the Saints fumbled the football during the return and Josh Nollinger recovered the ball for Moody. The Blue Devils took over at the Saints 43 yard line and drove in eight plays to score.  Clark got his second touchdown of the night. Calvert carried the ball into the end zone for the two point conversion putting Moody up 34–20.

Clark capped off a career night with an 11 yard touchdown to give Moody the 41–20 win. Moody improves to 1–1(1 – 0) Clark finished with 341 yards rushing and four touchdowns to lead the Blue Devils. Buckner was 6 of 14 for 62 yards and a touchdown. Calvert led the Moody defense with 8 tackles. Archer followed with 5 tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Joel McCormick forced a fumble.

Moody will host region foe Sylacauga Friday night at Bill Morris Stadium. This will be the last of a two game home stand before Moody spends two weeks on the road at Central Clay County and at Shelby County. Kickoff for tomorrow night’s game is 7 p.m.