The Escambia County High School Blue Devils were unable to end their first season under new head coach Lev Holly with a win after a disappointing shutout loss to the previously winless Baldwin County High School Tigers Friday night in Bay Minette.

Following the 20-0 defeat, Holly said it was just one more sign that his young team needs time to grow.

“It’s a growing up process,” Holly said. “I thought we played hard at times, but at this point we know it’s about next year. We start our off-season program Monday. We’re going to get ready to go to work.”

Holly said his team had plenty of opportunities to gain momentum against BCHS but were simply unable to capitalize.

“It was one of those nights,” Holly said. “We had opportunities. We got near the end zone five times and came away with nothing.”

Holly said he felt his young squad needs to begin preparations for a new season immediately, but did not discount the hard play of the Tigers.

“I have to give a lot of credit to Baldwin County,” Holly said. “The region they play in is no joke down there, so they are a pretty good football team. Don’t let a 1-9 record make you think they’re not a good team. They’re are a very, very good team.”

After wins over the Monroe County High School Tigers, the Hillcrest-Evergreen High School Jaguars and the Wilcox Central High School Jaguars, the Blue Devils will end their season with a 3-7 record, but Holly says he is hopeful for next year’s prospects.

“Consistency. Just being consistent,” Holly said of the 2013 Devils’ goals. “Consistency and physicality and I feel like everything is going to be OK. There’s a lot that goes into it, so we’ve just got to start tonight with being men and doing it the right way.”