DevilDawgs fall to talented DeSales team

The DevilDawgs traveled across state lines to Walla Walla Washington in order to face perennial 1B (the WIAA equivalent to a 1A school in Oregon) powerhouse DeSales Fighting Irish. DeSales started out strong and let everyone know why they are consistently making runs into the WIAA playoffs. On the first DevilDawg drive the Fighting Irish forced a DevilDawg punt and the Irish would score just four plays later. DeSales would find the endzone again in the opening quarter before Sherman/Condon was able to mount a significant drive, ultimately in a DevilDawg passing touchdown from Gabe Fritts to Isaiah Riggs-the first passing touchdown scored on Desales this season-the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful.

The 2nd quarter saw DeSales again imposing their will on the DevilDawgs, controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Halfway through the third quarter with the DevilDawgs down by 38 points the DevilDawgs found their rhythm. The DevilDawgs saw success running the ball with Michael Blagg, Jayden Havins, and Josh Ward pounding the ball through the middle-often times dragging many Irish defenders with them. With 7 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter the DevilDawgs forced the first DeSales Punt of the season and the DevilDawgs capitalized on the first play with a pass from Michael Blagg to a wide-open Gabe Fritts for a 46-yard touchdown. The DevilDawgs would find the endzone again in the 3rd quarter when Jayden Havins ran for 22 yards, followed by an 8-yard run by Michael Blagg which set up a Havins touchdown run around the end where he broke several tackles before diving into the endzone for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion pass from Gabe Fritts to Isaiah Riggs was successful. DevilDawgs 20-Irish 52 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The 4th Quarter brought many younger athletes from both teams. DeSales was able to score again to start the 4th, before the DevilDawgs behind sophomore quarterback Gabe Fritts drove the ball down to the 12-yard line when he was able to scramble into the endzone on quarterback keeper he cut back across the field. The 2-point conversion pass from Gage Simpson to freshman Cael Bish was good. DevilDawgs 28-DeSales 60. The DevilDawgs brought out freshman kicker Jacob Lanthorn to attempt an onside kick which was recovered by the DevilDawgs which also culminated in a Simpson rushing touchdown from 14 yards out followed by a Drake Dark run for a successful 2 point conversion.

DeSales is currently 3-0 on the season and will travel to Yakima this Friday to face Yakima-Tribal. The DevilDawgs (1-3) have a bye week this week and will next face Pilot Rock/Ukiah at Pilot Rock on Thursday October 3rd. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.