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| 7/29/2010 4:06:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Blue Devils run off Spartans
The Burlington Blue Devils got a little bit of revenge Saturday evening - and secured a major playoff privilege in the process.
The Blue Devils secured home-field advantage throughout the 2010 Ironman Football League playoffs by downing the defending AFC Division champion Wauwatosa Spartans 32-22 at the 'Topper Bowl in Burlington.
With a record of 7-1 - winners of six straight - the Blue Devils look ready for the playoffs. And head coach and owner Tom Hawkins said the added motivation of beating the Spartans (who knocked the Blue Devils out of the playoffs last year) didn't hurt.
"We lost to them twice last year, and they knocked us out of the championship last year," Hawkins said. "We were real excited. We got revenge. We got that game back that we should have gotten last year.
"And we got it back with some authority, putting 32 points up on them."
The Spartans opened the game with a rare scoring drive on the Blue Devil defense. Burlington answered immediately, marching the length of the field. With a huge gain by R.B. Jamie Martin, the Blue Devils quickly moved inside the 10-yard line. Quarterback Warren Arnold then connected on his first of four touchdown passes.
Showing resolve and determination, the Blue Devils "Dark Side" defense refused to yield any points for the rest of the half. Two fumble recoveries and a handful of quarterback sacks, kept the potent Spartan offense at bay.
At halftime, with the score tied 7-7, the game was shaping up to be a nail biter like both meetings last year.
Unfortunately for Wauwatosa, Burlington had something completely different in mind. The Blue Devil offense came out fierce and unstoppable in the second half.
Good pass blocking and improved field position allowed Arnold to open the offense up, torching the Spartan secondary for three more passing touchdowns.
The Spartans closed the gap a little with a fourth quarter score on a touchdown pass by quarterback Tony Henner. Wauwatosa then recovered an onside kick, but the rally was cut short by Burlington's Antoine Harries, who intercepted Henner on the following drive.
The Spartans had on more opportunity to shrink Burlington's lead. With time running out and forced to throw deep, the Spartans were denied again when the Blue Devils' Tony Grisham intercepted Henner in the end zone. Grisham returned the interception 60 yards as time expired. Grisham also helped set up an earlier Blue Devil score with a blocked punt.
With two home games remaining on their regular season schedule, the Blue Devils hope to finish 9-1 entering the playoffs on an eight game with streak. Hosting the playoffs is a luxury Burlington has never had before.
Last season ended in the AFC championship loss, in Wauwatosa. With the games at home, a rejuvenated and explosive offense, and the AFC's top ranked defense, a trip to the Iron Bowl is now the Blue Devils' goal.
The Blue Devils have a bye this weekend, before hosting the West Bend Junkyard Dogs July 31 at 7 p.m. at Nettie Karcher Middle School.
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