HOWARD — The 2010 installment of the annual Danville versus East Knox clash, better known as the Devil-Dog Game, was a classic defensive battle between two archrivals.
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Big plays make difference in Devil-Dog game
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Danville beats East Knox in OT 2006
Big plays make difference in Devil-Dog game 2007
Blue Devils defeat Bulldogs 2008
Devil-Dog rivalry still intense 2009
2009 Devil Dog Game 2009
Pride at stake in Danville, East Knox annual Devil-Dog game 2010
Fifty years later, first Howard-Danville game fondly remembered 2010
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These two schools have been going head-to-head on the gridiron since 1960, with the Blue Devils, who have won eleven of the last twelve meetings, leading the series 33-20. There has been one tie.
Danville cracked the scoreboard at the 8:49 mark of the first quarter when Heath Buckingham rumbled into the endzone from 2 yards out. This was a three-play drive from the 12-yard line, set up by a Shaun Durbin interception and a personal foul penalty. The two-point conversion attempt was denied by the Bulldog defense.
Danville had another short field in the second quarter after an EK fumble, and Kody Ball successfully kicked a 27-yard field goal for a 9-0 lead which the Devils carried into half-time.
The game’s final score came with just 2:12 left after the Devils had another short field to begin a drive, and Durbin raced 16 yards for a TD and the game’s final score for a 15-0 victory.
“Great job on both sides of the ball,” said coach Ed Honabarger to his victorious Blue Devils in a post-game celebration. “You could have made it a little easier, but you played your hearts out. Stuff isn’t handed to you. Next year, it’s more wins and playoffs.”
East Knox head coach Calvin Hatfield tried to console his team after the tough loss. “Obviously, it’s tough. We don’t want to end with a loss and with zero points,” said Hatfield. “But it was typical of our season, with good defense while the offense struggled. We now say goodbye to a senior class which was outstanding. They set the bar high. We played better this year, and our seniors would not accept again what had happened last year. Next year, it’s back to work.”
See Monday’s edition of the Mount Vernon News for complete details and expanded video of Saturday’s game.
