By Fred Kroner
The Blue Devils scored the only touchdown they would need in the final seconds of the first half and went on to an 18-0 victory on Friday (March 26) at Argenta-Oreana.
VG/Heritage broke a scoreless tie on a 28-yard pass from Blake Smith to Carson Howard.
Two other squad members reached the end zone in the third quarter. Jack Benschneider scored a TD on a 5-yard run. Tyler Wilson scored a TD on his only carry, a 2-yard scamper in the final minute of the third period.
“Our defense is what won us the game,” VG/Heritage coach Heath Wilson said. “We didn’t allow a first down in the second half.”
Smith completed 3 of 9 passes for 68 yards. Howard had 60 receiving yards. Benschneider hauled in the other completion and gained 8 yards.
Benschneider led Villa Grove/Heritage in rushing, with 54 yards on 10 carries. Parker Stevens ran for 43 yards and Luke Zimmerman rushed for 33 yards.
“Offensively, Parker Stevens, Jack Benschneider and Luke Zimmerman ran tough behind that offensive line of Joel Bear, Carson Block, Connor Black, Daelin Price and Keatan Junglas,” Wilson said.
Zimmerman had a team-high 13 tackles. Wilson had seven stops. Price totaled six tackles. Benschneider ended with five tackles as did Junglas.
“Our punter (Elijah Kiesel) punted the ball great,” Wilson said. “Elijah pinned them on the 1-yard line twice. We won the field position.
“Overall, it was fun having our guys back from being quarantined and everyone was having fun.”
The Blue Devils (1-1) return to action on Friday (April 2) at Toledo Cumberland.
