| BataviasBest.org
Saturday, October 4, 2014
For the past 10+ seasons, Batavia Football has undergone a span of futility that has been unmatched by anyone in the world of football besides the likes of the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns – until this year. With an 8-7 victory over the Geneva Panthers last night the Blue Devils secured their first 4-1 start in about a decade, while also putting their name on the map around Section V circles.
As you can clearly see, the guys were pumped last night, and rightfully so. Not only were they able to show incredible guts last night in defeating a tough Geneva team, but the Blue Devils also seemed to grow closer as a team throughout the process.
“Being the first team in ten years to have a winning season makes me even more proud to be a Blue Devil,” said Senior Gunner Rapone after the game. “I am proud of everyone one of our guys.”
In addition to Rapone, Malachi Chenault was also beyond pumped for his boys.
“I thought it was a great win for us,” said Chenault. “We went out there, played our hardest and we got what we worked all week for. We are letting everyone know that we are nice this year!”
Fellow receiver James Cryer also commented on the victory.
“Our defense definitely stole that win for us,” he said. “We fought hard and in the end that’s the reason we were able to get that victory.”
Leading the Devils to the victory was their lone scoring drive which came during the second half.
Following a difficult start to the third quarter, turning the ball over to the Panthers on two straight possessions inside the red zone, Batavia gave up a huge 90 yard touchdown run to Geneva which broke the seal and set the Devils back 7-0. After another turnover by Batavia on the ensuing possession, things looked bleak for the home team.
However, the Batavia defense rose to the occasion.
Getting the ball back for the offense with plenty of time to go in the quarter, Batavia forced a huge fumble early in the Geneva drive, which was recovered by Dom Mogavero. A loose ball which popped out just before the Panthers’ runner hit the ground, Mogavero was able to lay out and snag it before the ball trickled out of bounds.
To begin the drive after the turnover, Batavia began to move the ball quite well as they did their previous two possessions which ended in turnovers. Behind Mogavero’s strong running, and QB Greg Mruczek’s ability to evade tacklers on his scrambles, the Devils moved the ball all the way down to the red zone once again looking for their first score of the game.
Following a big fourth down conversion inside the five yard line, Batavia had 4 plays to punch the ball in.
Not needing the entire set of downs, however, the Blue Devils would score quickly after moving the chains. Calling Mruczek’s number to complete the drive, Batavia ran a designed QB sweep to the outside and were able to reach pay dirt for the first time all game. Following a solid block from Mogavero, the Batavia QB was able to dive for the pylon and get it, cutting the Panthers lead to 7-6 awaiting the point after.
Rather than send the field goal unit out in hopes of tying the game, however, Batavia head coach Brennan Briggs made a gutsy call and had decided to go for two.
Running the ‘Muddle Huddle’ as they have all season, Batavia direct snapped the ball to Mogavero who was able to cross the goal line and convert the attempt. The Blue Devils now had the lead for the first time in the game and looked to their defense to hold it for another quarter.
Following the ensuing possession during which Geneva had to punt, Batavia looked to run out the clock with another long drive of their own.
Moving the ball all the way past midfield, Batavia was able to waste all but 20 seconds of the clock as they were forced to punt the ball back to the Panthers for one last chance at a miracle Hail Mary. Unfortunately for Geneva, however, the Batavia defense held firm as they did for much of the game, and were able to secure the victory for the Blue Devils. The final was 8-7 Batavia, and the guys truly could not have been more amped.
“Everyone did an incredible job,” said Mruczek who scored the go-ahead touchdown during the third quarter. “We didn’t back down, being behind 7-0 in the second half, and I’m just so proud of everyone. I don’t really know what else to say, we just showed true character tonight. Great win for this team.”
Other than Mruczek’s second half touchdown, leading the Blue Devils to victory on both sides of the ball was LB/RB Dom Mogavero. Carrying the ball 23 times for 110 yards in workhorse fashion on Friday night, Mogavero also converted what turned out to be the game-winning two-point attempt, and contributed a total of 7 tackles defensively as well as the key fumble recovery in the third quarter.
All in all, however, this one was a total team victory for Batavia.
Allowing only 4 first downs throughout the entire game, and only 1 in the first half, against a previously high-powered Geneva attack, the Blue Devils defense came together last night in an effort that has gone unmatched over the last several years in Blue and White. Going forward, it will be extremely important for Batavia to stay the course, continue their momentum, and go on a run down the stretch and into the postseason. In order for the Blue Devils to prove to everyone they are indeed BACK, they need to keep this hot streak rolling – and I am confident that they will.
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