Most teams regress after losing multiple seniors, especially when those seniors were key contributors to their teams. Often, you’ll see teams start the season shakily, or lack the cohesion and chemistry with new guys in the line up.
Tell that to the Blue Devils.
Despite losing key starters, including all three of their captains, the Blue Devils rolled out a new-look offense and went to work in their first game against the Central Lancers at home last Saturday, looking like they hadn’t missed a step since their 8-2 season last year in a 42-0 victory over the Lancers.
Senior RB Finn Whittle picked up right where he left o ff, gouging the Central defense for 114 yards on just 14 carries. Whittle made highschool defenders look like Pop Warner players, as the Lancer’s defenders seemed to just bounce right off of him. . Whittle also notched two touchdowns, both of which were on the ground. However, you can’t mention Whittle’s huge rushing performance without mentioning the big guys up front.
The offensive line had themselves a standout performance, their experience showing. SCH boasts a front 5 of all upperclassmen, each with levels of Varsity experience. And, against the Central defense, they lived up to the hype. Whittle always had a hole to run through, giving him 4-5 yards before a defender could even lay a hand on him. The D-Linemen were blocked 10 yards back every play, and the front 5 dished out pancakes like an I-Hop meal. They helped make sure Whittle had all the room he needed and kept their QB’s jersey nice and clean.
Speaking of their QB, Junior Liam Zelman made his starting debut for the Blue Devils in place of last year’s QB and team captain, Senior Tommy Markey, and excelled in his time. Zelman only threw 7 passes, but those 7 passes went for 138 yards and 3 TDs. Zelman’s passes only found one receiver’s hands, though.
Graphics by Roman Bostick ’26 (Tobey Schwartz )
Gametime Sports’ Offensive Player of the game Aaron Clark caught 4 passes in the win. Clark scored on 3 out of 4 of those grabs. The first touchdown, Clark’s first grab of the season, was a 48 yard pop-pass, which Clark ran in for a quick score. After that, he and Zelman connected on their first real pass, a long strike that he reeled in despite tight coverage. And then, just for fun, he decided to take another touch pass for 40+ yards and the score. His one other reception was on a short hitch route later in the game.
Come out to Landreth field on Saturday at 1 to see the Devils play Lansdale Catholic.
