DevilDawgs survive, advance

The Sherman/Condon DevilDawgs traveled to Mohawk high school just outside of Eugene for a first-round playoff game. The DevilDawgs entered the game ranked tenth, the Mustangs were ranked seventh. The DevilDawgs departed Sherman County escorted by several fire trucks, police cars, and an ambulance, and with fans on the side of the road cheering sending them off in both Wasco and Moro. After stops in Gladstone for a pregame walkthrough, and a lunch at Coach Blagg's sister-in-law's house (provided by coach Blagg's in-laws) it was off to face the Mustangs.

The DevilDawgs received the opening kick but the Mustangs' stout defense kept the DevilDawgs out of the end zone and the Mustangs took over. The Mustangs drove down to the 2-yard line before penalties, and a few tackles for a loss pushed the Mustangs back to the twelve-yard line where the DevilDawgs took over. The DevilDawgs following drive featured both Michael Blagg and Gabe Fritts getting good gains running around-and in Blagg's case over-Mustang defenders. Facing a fourth and long quarterback Gabe Fritts completed a pass to guard Caiden Walker to convert the first down. Fritts would run the ball into the end zone on the next play. A failed 2-point conversion pass and the DevilDawgs were ahead 6-0 with 9:07 remaining in the first half.

The Mustangs were quick to fire back. After a short drive the Mustangs-facing a fourth and 10-sent three receivers to the right side leaving an open mustang receiver downfield and a successful touchdown pass. The mustangs failed their 2-point conversion attempt tying the score at 6-6 with 6:18 left in the half.

The DevilDawgs were forced to punt on their following drive. A great punt was negated by a bad DevilDawg bounce. With the Mustangs on offense a missed snap left Isaiah Riggs, Michael Blagg, and two Mustangs fighting for the ball. When the whistle blew Riggs was the one holding on still-DevilDawgs ball. The DevilDawgs again turned to running the ball. Behind linemen Curz Colby, Caiden Walker, and Brodie Bass, running backs Josh Ward, Jayden Havins both had several runs for positive yards, Michael Blagg had multiple runs for 6+ yards including one run for 18 yards where he ran over two Mustang defenders setting up a Gabe Fritts touchdown pass to Isaiah Riggs in the back of the end zone. A failed 2-point conversion left the DevilDawgs ahead 12-6. The DevilDawg lead was short lived as they would score on the first play of their drive knotting the score at 12 a piece at halftime.

There were multiple long drives from both teams in the 3rd quarter, but neither team could get any points on the board. At the beginning of the 4th quarter the DevilDawgs were facing a 3rd down and 1 yard to gain when Josh Ward got a 6 yard gain setting up a 1st and goal from the 6 yard line. On the following play Michael Blagg found the end zone on a run up the middle. Setting up for the 2-point conversion Michael Blagg got under center an after getting the snap he was able to run to the corner of the end zone complete the 2-point conversion giving them the lead. DevilDawgs 20 to Mustangs 12 with 10:20 remaining in the game.

Facing an 8-point deficit the Mustangs responded quickly with a touchdown pass of their own however a strong defensive stand by the DevilDawgs kept the Mustangs from completing their 2-point conversion. DevilDawgs lead by just two points with 5:50 remaining in the game. The Mustangs attempted an onside kick-Caiden Walker recovered. The DevilDawgs would turn the ball over on downs the following drive. 3:43 remaining and the Mustangs have the ball. The Mustangs had two big first downs to keep their drive alive before dropping a handoff on 2nd down thanks to DevilDawgs defenders in the backfield setting up a 3rd and 15. The Mustangs would not convert another first down. The DevilDawgs took possession of the ball and ended the game in victory formation kneeling and running out the clock.

This was the first playoff win in DevilDawg history. It was also the first Sherman County Husky playoff win since 2016 when the Huskies beat Triad. The Huskies lost to Myrtle Point in 2022, and prior to that lost to Adrian in 2017. This was the first playoff win for Condon since the early 2000's. Next up for the DevilDawgs will be 2nd ranked Crosspoint Christian in Klamath Falls. Kickoff is at 1:00 PM Saturday November 16th, 2024. It's a quick four-hour drive to get to the game. I hope to see a larger crowd there to cheer on your DevilDawgs.