The Ellenville Blue Devils' Football team defeated Highland 20-13 on Friday night before a huge, rain-soaked Homecoming crowd to claim the Section 9 Class B-Division II title and earn a postseason berth. The Blue Devils will travel to Kingston's Dietz Stadium to face Burke Catholic in a Class B semifinal game on Sunday, October 28 at 6:00 p.m.

Any fears of Ellenville losing to Highland were put to rest when Ellenville running back Donald Exner broke off a 56-yard touchdown run with just over five minutes left in the game to put the Blue Devils ahead for good.

Exner, who seemed to be the only player not affected by the horrible weather conditions, finished the best night of his career with 257 rushing yards on 25 attempts, averaging 10.2 yards per carry.

The elimination game between Ellenville (3-1 division, 5-2 overall) and Highland, (3-1 division, 6-2 overall) who was ranked as high as seventh in the state this year, would leave the losing team out of the playoffs.

The crowd, estimated at over 500, braved the nasty weather to loudly cheer on their Blue Devils. The day had brought early rains and heavy winds. The weather had cleared in the late afternoon but it only took five minutes of football before the heavens opened up, drenching the Ellenville faithful. The night offered high school football at its very best with the Ellenville Drumline leading the crowd in rhythmic chants of “DEE-FENSE” while dozens of fans vigorously banged their “thunder sticks” and used a bullhorn to lead the crowd in chants of support.

Ellenville’s offense lines up in the driving rain during Friday’s game.   Photo by Stefan Spezio

The Blue Devils fed off of the crowd's enthusiasm as the Devils' defense forced Highland to punt after Ellenville's offensive drive stalled. On their second drive of the night, Ellenville scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Brian Burns to take a 6-0 lead. The touchdown capped an eight-play drive in which the Blue Devils methodically moved the ball down the field. The PAT was no good: Burns' kick sailed just under the cross bar as he slipped on the slick turf. As the heavy rains began to fall, Ellenville fans wondered if the missed PAT would not come back to haunt them.

Highland came right back to score on an 8-yard touchdown run by Jason Krug. When the Highland PAT kick sailed through the uprights, the Huskies had a 7-6 lead. Ellenville scored again with just over five minutes left in the half when Burns hit Marc Sassencheid with a nine-yard touchdown pass. Burns' PAT was good and the Blue Devils went to the half with the momentum and a 13-6 lead.

Halftime festivities included the recognition of all the former Blue Devils' football players who had made the trip back home for the game. Dozens of Ellenville football alumni walked out onto the field as their name, position, and graduation year was announced over the loud speaker by Ellenville High School Athletic Director, Mary Borriello. Highland was not exactly happy with all the half time hoopla and as the Blue Devils entered the field after the half, running through a tunnel of former Ellenville players, it was easy to see that Highland wanted to get back on the field.

On their first possession of the second half, Highland drove to the Ellenville 25-yard line before Huskies quarterback, Mikiah Downing, hit wide receiver Dan Berta with a touchdown strike that was just out of the reach of Ellenville's Jacob Coutant. The play knotted the score at 13-13 and it looked as though Highland would take the lead with the PAT. Blue Devil Eric Thayer had other thoughts. As the ball was snapped, Thayer ran in from the right defensive end spot, dove, and stretched out completely, blocking the kick.

Exner's long touchdown run and Burns' PAT made it 20-13. Highland was unable to complete a pass on their next possession and punted the ball back to Ellenville with 4:17 left.

The Blue Devils tried to run the clock out but were forced to punt the ball back to Highland with 1:37 left in the game. Highland threw two incomplete passes but a 'roughing the quarterback' penalty moved the ball to Ellenville's 35-yard line. The Ellenville defense dug in as the crowd exhorted them to put the Huskies away.

On first-and-ten, a Downing pass attempt was tipped before going through the hands of Ellenville safety Andrew Hyatt and falling to the ground. Hyatt is tied for the Section 9 lead interceptions with five. On second-and-ten, Devils' linebacker T.J. Bell had what appeared to be a game-ending interception fall out of his hands.

The Blue Devils needed someone to make a play and Eric Thayer stepped up again. On third-and-ten, Thayer picked off a Downing pass and ran the ball back to the Highland 41-yard line, sealing the win and giving the Blue Devils the divisional title.

As the final seconds ran off the clock, Burns took the last snap and knelt down. The Ellenville players ran onto to the field to celebrate and the hometown fans erupted. “We started working with this group over eleven months ago,” said Assistant Coach Merrill Conner. “We knew this was a special group. They did a fantastic job tonight. Exner was outstanding and the offensive line did a hell of a job.”

Blue Devils Bits: Highland QB Mikiah Downing completed just two passes. Downing leads Section 9 with 18 TD passes but could not handle the weather or the Devils defense…The Blue Devils return to Dietz for the first time since 2002 when they lost a semifinal match up against Spackenkill 28-20...The Blue Devils showed some class, clapping for the Highland team as they walked off the field. Unfortunately, Highland longtime coach Carl Relyea was not returning the favor. Relyea refused to shake hands with Ellenville Head Coach Tony Borriello after the game.

COMMENTS about this article (11)