By Chris Bennett/Sports Correspondent
If not for a few odd bounces, including in the game’s final seconds, the Southern Lakes Blue Devils might be celebrating the team’s first victory of the season instead of pondering a 0-4 record in Ironman Football League play.
The Blue Devils lost 20-13 July 12 at home to the Fox Valley Eagles, which are based in Love Park, Ill. The Blue Devils play home games at Westosha Central High School in Paddock Lake.
The Blue Devils, formerly the Burlington Blue Devils, draw players and fans from throughout southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
Head coach Tom Hawkins said the Blue Devils avoided the storms that moved through the area July 12, until the team’s final drive.
“We had field position, and our offense got the ball back on the 40 (yard line),” Hawkins said. “We started driving to about their 35, and as soon as we got the first down on their 35 and started moving it just started pouring,”
With less than a minute left in regulation, and trailing 20-13, the Blue Devils passed into the end zone.
“It looked like one of our guys had the ball,” Hawkins said. “The next thing I knew, we see the defender running out of the end zone with the ball.
“He just kneeled on about their eight-yard-line. They took three knees and that was the game.”
Hawkins said it looked like two Blue Devils collided going for the ball in the end zone, and that the ball might have popped to a Fox Valley defender.
“That makes it really tough to handle the ball and throw the ball,” Hawkins said of the rain. “The quarterback just couldn’t get a grip on the ball.”
In the first half, Southern Lakes led 7-6 after an 80-yard touchdown drive that ended with a Dana Short touchdown run.
“We started driving and we ran the ball the next six or seven plays, right down their throat into the end zone,” Hawkins said.
On Fox Valley’s next possession, Hawkins said the Eagles needed to convert on third and long. Hawkins said the Fox Valley quarterback fumbled the ball, and a Blue Devils defensive back broke off coverage to pursue the play.
The Eagles’ quarterback recovered and threw an 80-yard touchdown to the uncovered receiver.
Hawkins said the defense, buoyed by the return of some key talent, played well, and forced five turnovers.
“I preached that the whole game – get the turnovers,” Hawkins said. “Again, we were missing key people in the game that weren’t there. I can’t explain it – guys that come to practice and don’t come to the game. We were missing a couple of key people again this week.”
Short and Markese McDowell led the offense. The two hooked up on a touchdown play in the second half.
One team will get its first IFL win Saturday when the Blue Devils play host to the Rock River Raptors at 6 p.m. at Westosha Central. Rock River is based in Rockford, Ill.
Hawkins said some players from the Roscoe Rush are now involved with the Raptors.
“They’ve got a lot of talent,” Hawkins said. “They’ve got a lot of speed and a big line, just like us. It’s just not coming together for us.
Hawkins said the loser will likely be on the outside looking in for the IFL playoffs.
The IFL is split into an American and National Conference, each with four teams. The Blue Devils are in the AFC with the Rock County Rage, Fox Valley Eagles and Rock River Raptors. The top three teams in each conference advance to the playoffs.
“We’re both 0-4 in conference,” Hawkins. “It’s looking like who comes out with a win this week will probably make the playoffs.”
Hawkins said this week’s game is Military Appreciation Night, and all service members in uniform get free admission.
Various military displays will be set up near the stadium. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children. Children ages 5 and under are admitted for free.