Turnovers where too much for the Blue Devils in a 27-7 loss to Elmore County to open the season last Friday night.

The Panthers got the ball on their own 27 yard to start their first drive of the season. Taylor Rothe got the first tackle of the season for the Blue Devils. Elmore County marched 73 yards in 13 plays to score with a 7 yard touchdown. The Panthers extra point try failed but they led 6 – 0 with 6:10 left in the first quarter.

Landon Echols had a great kick return to the Panther 45 yard line to start the Blue Devils first drive of the season.

After losing 6 yards on the first offensive, Moody got back on track with an 18 yard completion from AJ Wallace to Logan Cole. Moody faced 4th and 14 at the Panther 43, after losing yards on previous plays. A pass interference set Moody up at the Panthers 22. Wallace struck again with a would be touchdown pass to freshman Blaine Burke, but holding on the Blue Devils got the touchdown called back. Facing 4th and four inside the 15 yard line, Moody fumbled the football and the Panthers recovered. The first quarter ended with the Panthers holding a 6 – 0 lead.

The second quarter turned out to be an adventure, as lightning made its way over Bill Morris Stadium, causing a 45 minute delay. The game would resume with 5:45 left in the half and the actual time was 8:46 PM. It took the Panthers 5 plays after the delay to cap off a 80 drive with another touchdown. The extra point was good and Elmore County led 13 – 0. Moody got the football right before the half and had the ball moving. Wallace and Logan Cole connected again for a big gain, this time for 31 yards. The Panther defense ended the drive on the very next play with an interception and took a 13 – 0 into the locker room.

Moody got the ball to start the second half and was on the move. First and 10 at their own 31, Wallace once again hit a big pass play, this time connecting with Kolby Seymore for 30 yards. Running back Nick Burrell followed up with a 25 yard run. Moody failed to convert on 4th and 1 and the Panther 9, giving the ball over on downs.

The Panthers started their next drive with a big run breaking into Moody territory. They had the ball first and 10 at the Blue Devil 29 yard line. Two plays later the Panthers get another score and increase their lead to 20 – 0.

Moody finally got things to roll in its favor on the next drive. Wallace, five plays into the drive, hit Burke for another big gain, this time for 26 yards. He later hit Seymore with two completions, one for 12 yards and the next one for a 17 yard touchdown. The extra point was good and Moody cut the Panther lead to 20 – 7 at the end of the third quarter.

Elmore County started the fourth quarter 2nd and 6 at the Moody 7 yard line. They drove the ball in for another score and went up 27 – 7 with the extra point. That would be the final score of the game.

Moody’s offense showed plenty of signs it will be good as the season goes along. Five turnovers were costly, 2 interceptions and three fumbles lost. AJ Wallace finished 20 of 32 for 253 yard and a touchdown and two picks. The receiving core included Colby Seymore leading the with 6 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Logan Cole followed with 4 receptions for 83 yard, Blaine Burke had 9 receptions for 69 yard and Pate Argo had one catch for 17 yards. Nick Burrell had 13 carries for 55 yard on the ground.

On defense there were 3 players with 9 tackles each. Taylor Rothe, Matthew McDonald, and Parker Dodd were the three defensive players.

Coronavirus has been a concern since February and has created problems ever since. No Spring practice and no passing camps, like a normal Spring and Summer, Friday night was the first time the young Blue Devils were able to get to play together. 

Moody starts the season off 0 – 1 and due to a positive test of Covid-19, will not take the field again until September 11 versus rival Leeds at Bill Morris Stadium. Kick off for that rivalry game will be at 7pm.