By By Matthew Nascone
The Blue Devils took the first step in the right direction by making it into the playoffs in Kyle Davis' second year as head coach. But they were not able to get Davis a victory, falling to the Fayette County Tigers, 34-6 Friday.
The Devils (5-6) boarded the bus at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning en route to Fayette and the team's first playoff game in five years, but the 9-1 Tigers proved to be too much for the visiting Blue Devils.
In the opening drive the Blue Devils went three and out and the Tigers drove the ball down the field. Fayette senior Sidney Cochran took it in on an 11-yard touchdown run. The PAT was good and the Tigers had a 7-0 advantage.
ECHS went three and out again on the next series. Fayette again drove the ball down the field. Cochran scored again on a three-yard run. PAT good, Tigers lead, 14-0.
With 4:56 to go in the second quarter, the Blue Devils fumbled in their end zone and Tiger defender, Darrin Nalls, recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. PAT good, Tigers lead 21-0.
Cochran scored his third touchdown of the evening with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter on a 50-yard punt return. PAT no good, Tigers lead 27-0.
The Devils only score came on the ensuing kickoff. LaTrenton Bowens returned the kickoff 77 yards for the touchdown. The Devils went for two and were turned away. The Fayette lead was cut to 27-6, but Atmore was not able to score again and the Tigers added a final score with 8:59 left in the fourth quarter.
Fayette will face 8-3 Andalusia in the second round of the AHSAA Class 4A playoffs.
Radio broadcaster Jason Parker contributed to this article