By Matthew Peaslee

mpeaslee@vindy.com

Western Reserve vs. Villa Angela - St. Joseph Vikings

Gallery

Team

Western Reserve

Record	Div.	Conf.
8/3	Div. VII	Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference

Berlin Center

In the postgame huddle following a 33-6 win over Cleveland Villa Angela St. Joseph, Western Reserve coach Andy Hake asked what his team what they had to do on the field.

In unison, the Blue Devils responded, “out-hit.” Reinforcing the statement, Hake himself yelled it out, too.

He also said it at least 15 times in his interview with the media.

“That’s all we could do,” Hake said. “They play a different brand of football. That was our way to win.”

Coming in with a pair of running backs that combined to rush for well more than 2,000 yards in the regular season, the Vikings were indeed going to run the ball.

Knowing this, the Blue Devils made it a point to get in their backfield and plug up any holes.

“We just had to play four quarters and out hit them and had to neutralize their speed by out hitting them,” Hake said. “That was the plan and it really worked.”

The RB tandem of Tim Harrison and Devon Bolden were held to 46 and -1 yards, respectively. VASJ tallied only 126 total yards.

“We prepared for them and shut them down,” Donnie Bolton said.

This is Reserve’s fourth-straight playoff appearance and Hake wants his team to be thought of among the best in Division VI. Even though its averaging over 42 points in its 11 wins, he believes the Devils will gain notoriety through good defense.

“[Good teams] knock you down and kick you and fall on you, that’s kind of the mentality we’re trying to take,” Hake said. “We’re trying to be as violent as possible as we can — under control.”

Bolton, who is a defensive back, as well as a running back, excelled in all phases of the game. He played well in coverages, recorded a sack, ran for 192 yards on 25 carries, scored two touchdowns and blocked a punt.

“We all fly around, it’s not just me,” he said. “We practiced for it and got the win.”

After a scoreless first quarter, the Devils notched 20 in the second. Tommy Marlowe and Tyler Powell each recovered a fumble to ensure momentum stayed on their side the whole game.

“You need turnovers in the playoffs to get the crowd going and that hyped us up,” Bolton said.

Jeff Clegg hit five different receivers to finish 9-of-15 passing for 57 yards. He also pounded it on the ground with 18 yards. Marlowe had nine carries for 78 yards including a 31 yard TD run.