Varina Defense Bullies Springers 21-3!
Coming into 2025 the Blue Devils were stockpiled with weapons to run an electric offense. An offense that matched with their defense would make sure they don’t fall short as they did in 2024. Of course plans change and two of those weapons are sidelined for the season. One thing has not changed and that is the defense.
Last season the Blue Devils defense gave up 177 points in 14 games, an average of 12.6 points per game. This season the Blue Devils defense through 9 games has given up 71 points or an average of 7.8 points per game.
The front seven of the Blue Devils is an intimidating force. Their rival, the mighty Springers found this out on Thursday night. Halloween might have been Friday night but for the Springers there was no scarier night than Thursday.
The Springer offense was held to just 112 yards of offense! Consider the fact that a week prior versus Hermitage, Eric Byrd had 191 yards alone! That in itself speaks to just how dominant this defense was led by a front 7 that features; UVA-bound Jaysean Richardson, Furman-bound Braylon Hood, Raymond Hudson and Kasean Patterson. Minus a few big plays, the defense suffocated the offense.
Highs & Lows of 1st Quarters
The first quarter was a mixed bag of goodness with bad endings. Varina‘s opening drive ate up most of the time of possession but they had nothing to show for. This drive saw Jayden Walker score from 17 yards out. That TD would not stand because the men in stripes ruled an illegible player down field. That was the first of two penalties to stymie the Blue Devils. The very next play the Blue Devils drew yellow for a blindside block.
If things were not trending south already, Kaleb Wyche was intercepted by Antoine Richardson on the next play. Then the Springers stunned the Varina defense with Richardson airing it out to Jaden Padmore on first down for a 44-yard gain. Unfortunately for Highland Springs they would only pickup an additional 4 yards. They too had a penalty but it was declined by the Blue Devils and forced a turnover on downs.
Highs & Lows of 2nd Quarter
The second quarter is a quarter the Springers would like to forget. The Varina defense held them to three and out twice. When the Blue Devils fumbled the return, they were able to recover and did so at the 17-yard line. Amari Bowers & Sair Rex contributed to the Springers going backwards losing 4 yards rather than advancing. That defense of Varina also forced the Springers to settle for a field goal attempt which the Springers came up empty on. There was 5:44 remaining in the half when the Springers missed the field goal.
The Blue Devils were not much better. After opening the 2nd quarter with their first TD of the night when Kaleb Wyche & Sair Rex hooked up for 7 from 24.
They fumbled a return following a drive that started in the first quarter but stalled in the second quarter. The Blue Devils did rally for a touchdown with 3:45 to go in the half. This drive followed the missed field goal by the Springers. Michael Farley & Kaleb Wyche mixed it up in the ground game with 5 carries between the two of them. Then Kaleb would find his way past the Springers, down the visiting sideline and 55 yards to the house.
Highs & Lows of 3rd Quarter
The third quarter was a roller coaster for both teams.
I’ve always said no one is better at halftime adjustments than Coach Loren Johnson of Highland Springs. Six Eric Byrd carries & 3 Antoine Richardson carries was proof of that. The Blue Devils offsides on 4th & 2 bought the Springers a first down at the Varina 15 but 4 yards would be all the Springers would muster. A 28-yard field goal would end the shutout and little did we know it would be the only points of the night for the Springers. Then there was chaos.
The Blue Devils covered 57-yards in less than 2 minutes but the Blue Devils appeared to stall. A false start on a punt gave the Blue Devils a chance to re-think things. They did it again only this time they faked the punt, the ball went to Jayden Walker who again found the end zone. Just as was the case with the Walker TD that wasn’t, this one was not as well for the same penalty; illegal man down field. Then came two penalties on both teams that offset one another but on fourth down it gave the Springers the ball back.
A fumble on second down was recovered by the Springers but 4 plays later a Richardson pass was tipped and Ivan Thompson was there to catch the ricochet.
With the ball at the Springers 31, Varina went to work.
Highs & Lows of 4th Quarter
The Springers had the ball three times and nothing good came out any of those possessions.
Varina’s Braylon Hood intercepted Antoine Richardson on 3rd & 10 and on the next Springers possession it was 3 & out with Richardson being hit with intentional grounding. Although Highland Springs got a first down on their last possession of the game, they managed to go backwards or should I say be pushed back by the Varina D-Line.
Varina had their struggles as well despite Kaleb Wyche scoring his second rushing TD of the game just moments into the fourth quarter.
After Hood had intercepted Richardson, Devyn Simmons returned the favor for the Springers intercepting Wyche.
Although not needed up 21-3, the Blue Devils had a chance for one final score but the Blue Devils could not convert. The Blue Devils moved the ball 36 yards largely in part to Michael Farley‘s legs with 31 of those yards stamped with his name. The Blue Devils had the ball at the 5 yard line and were driven back on first down. On second down Damarri Brooks broke up a pass intended for DaMari Carter and on third down Wyche with the keeper managed 2 yards. The Blue Devils got to the two but no touchdown, instead a turnover on downs.
Varina Blue Devils 21, Highland Springs Springers 3
| Play | Score | Time |
| 24-yard pass from Kaleb Wyche to Sair Rex. PAT good. | 7-0 Varina | 9:40 – 2Q |
| 55-yard run from Kaleb Wyche. PAT good. | 14-0 Varina | 3:45 – 2Q |
| 28-yard field goal from Anthony Barrett. | 3-14 Highland Springs | 7:20 – 3Q |
| 3-yard run from Kaleb Wyche. PAT good. | 21-3 Varina | 11:54 – 4Q |
Varina Blue Devil Gamers
QB Kaleb Wyche was a force on offense for the Blue Devils with 226 yards of offense and in on all three Blue Devil touchdowns. Kaleb completed 12 of 19 for 107 yards and a TD despite two touchdowns. On the ground Kaleb averaged 7.4 yards per carry for 119 yards & 2 scores off 16 carries.
RB Michael Farley did not tag the end zone but he was 1 of just 2 Blue Devils to eclipse the century mark in rushing yards. Farley averaged 5.7 yards per carry with 18 carries & 104 yards to show for.
Safety Ivan Thompson had himself a game as part of a defense that held the Springers out of the end zone for the first time since 2012. In this effort Thompson had 8 tackles and an interception.
Not only did linebacker Jayden Walker rack up 8 tackles but he also had a touchdown in the game although it was called back due to a penalty.
Highland Springs Springers Gamers
DB Devyn Simmons not only picked off Varina QB Kaleb Wyche but he finished with 7 tackles as one of the bright spots on a not so bright night for the Springers.
LB Ladanian Brown has been a workhorse for the Springer defense this season and he was back at it on Thursday getting to the Blue Devils with 8 tackles.
CB Damari Brooks didn’t get the pick like some of his teammates did but he did breakup two Kaleb Wyche passes and racked up 5 tackles for the Springers.
Post-Game Nuggets
Since Coach Lewis took the reigns at Varina in the Spring of 2020 he and Coach Loren Johnson have split their meetings, 3 games each.
This was the first time since 2006 that the Blue Devils won back-to-back over the Springers. First in the regular seasons since 2003-2004.
18 points is the largest margin of victory for Varina in the series since 2012 when they won by 20.
Coach Loren Johnson is now 12-7 all-time versus Varina.
The last time the Springers scored just 3 points in a game was versus Lee-Davis, Oct. 15th, 1999.