By Deunte Marshall/Sports Correspondent
Etowah earned both its first win and region victory of the season on Friday as the Blue Devils defeated Douglas, 47-6, in Attalla.
“Tonight was an all-around team effort and I’m proud of each guy on our team,” said Etowah head coach Drew Noles.
The Blue Devils (1-2, 1-0) clicked on all cylinders from the beginning of the game.
It took just seven plays for Etowah to score, with Stacy Williams scoring from 12 yards out with 9:59 remaining in the first quarter.
The Blue Devil defense helped the offense get the Devils’ next score on the board, as Chrishun Young forced a fumble that gave Etowah the ball at the Eagle 7. Paul Ruiz later scored from three yards out with 5:18 to go in the opening quarter.
Etowah’s defense stood strong again in defending a fake punt, and Ruiz scampered in from 33 yards out to give the Devils a 19-0 lead with 3:29 to go.
The Blue Devil defense once again stepped when senior linebacker G.Q Hardwick stripped the ball and scored 23 yards out on the ensuing Douglas possession.
Stacy Williams added another score with 11:29 remaining in the first half. Ruiz added the insurance score on a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown to give Etowah a commanding lead.
Ruiz finished with over 100 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
Etowah travels to Randolph next weekend for a region showdown.