By Fred Kroner
The Blue Devils’ football team moved one step closer to becoming playoff-eligible on Friday (Oct. 1) with a 37-14 win at Niantic over Sangamon Valley.
Villa Grove, which led 22-0 at halftime, is 4-2 overall ahead of the Friday (Oct. 8) Senior Night home-finale against Tri-County.
“We didn’t play our best, but we got the job done,” Villa Grove coach Heath Wilson said.
Any momentum that Sangamon Valley had gained by scoring early in the third period was alleviated seconds later when Gunner Cline returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.
Luke Zimmerman posted his third consecutive 100-yard rushing performance, rambling for 165 yards on 13 carries. He scored two touchdowns.
“He’s a play-maker and wants the ball,” Wilson said. “He gets stronger as the game goes on. He and Parker Stevens are a couple of workhorses.”
Liam Barr hooked up with Layne Rund for a 57-yard scoring strike.
Zimmerman had a team-high 10 tackles. Other defensive leaders were Brady Clodfelder (eight tackles), Robert Fancher (five tackles), Elijah Kiesel (five tackles) and Daelin Price (five tackles).
Barr intercepted two passes and Tyler Wilson picked off one Sangamon Valley pass.
“Our defense played well,” Wilson said. “Elijah had three sacks. We told the defensive line they would win or lose the game.”
Joining Kiesel on the defensive front were Deandre Reinhart, Price and Parker Knierim.
“From last week to this week, they got back to hard-nosed football,” Wilson said. “We stressed defense, defense, defense.”
Villa Grove gained 242 total yards and held Sangamon Valley to 196 yards, the first opponent it kept under 200 yards this season.
Price converted three conversion kicks for the Blue Devils.
