Mount Airy – The Maroon Devils used two 4th quarter touchdown runs from Chris Miller to break open a tight game and take a 14-0 first round win over Mount Airy. Frigid conditions, and solid defensive play combined to keep both offenses off of the scoreboard in the first half.
In the second half it was the Devils who got their offense jump started. Taking the second half kickoff the Devils drove to inside the Mount Airy 10 before a freak interception, that bounced off of two players, stalled the drive. Mount Airy dodged another bullet a possession later as they were able to hold the Devils on downs, once again deep in their own territory.
Swain opened the fourth quarter with an 11 play 86 yard drive. Chris Miller capped the drive with a 6 yard touchdown run. The key play in the drive was a 46 yard pass completion from Trent Wright to Jordan Cody. Cooper Reinert notched the extra point to put the Devils up 7-0 with 6:20 remaining in the game.
Given the game conditions and the strong defensive play of the Maroon Devils the 7-0 lead felt more like a three touchdown lead. But the Devils would make it an insurmountable lead on the ensuing kickoff. Swain was able to strip the ball and recover it on the Mount Airy 16 yard line.
From the Granite Bear 16, it took the Devils only 4 plays to find the endzone. Again it was Chris Miller who took it over, this time from 1 yard out. Reinert made good on the extra point and the Devils were up 14-0 with 4:32 left in the game.
Chris Miller became the go to guy in the second half, collecting all 13 of his carries after the intermission. Miller finished with 51 tough, gritty yards, all of which came between the tackles. Most of his yardage came after contact, including both touchdown runs.
Spencer McCoy paced the Devils with 60 yards on 13 carries. Swain finished with 123 yards rushing and 192 yards of total offense.
After two straight weeks of the Swain defense giving up over 300 rushing yards, the Devils got back to their usual stingy selves. Swain limited Mount Airy to 110 yards rushing, and only 43 passing yards. The Devils also got 2 interceptions, one from McCoy and the other from Angel Bowers, as well as the critical fumble recovery. Taylor Oros (10 tackles) and Spencer McCoy (7) lead a very balanced defensive effort.
Avery helped make a good night even better as they upset #2 seed East Surry. With the Vikings win the Maroon Devils will return home this week for the 2nd round matchup.