Blazin’ Blue Devils
Model’s boys post a second shutout in the state playoffs to reach the Final Four.
Model’s boys post a second shutout in the playoffs.
It wasn’t long after its win over Jeff Davis that Model’s fans came onto the field at Woodard-Tuggle Stadium to congratulate the players, celebrate with them and even have their pictures made with them.
It’s the kind of stuff that happens when a team continues to perform the way the Blue Devils have in the state playoffs.
The third round of the Class AA state soccer playoffs Friday brought about another shutout for the Blue Devils, who defeated Jeff Davis 4-0 in Model’s first-ever trip to the Elite Eight. The team’s seventh shutout of the season was also its second in a row after a 4-0 win over Callaway in the Sweet Sixteen.
“Shutting out a team in the Elite Eight is just incredible. They’re a great team and, I mean, this ride has just been astounding,” Model coach Donnie Mendence said. “Every round I keep thinking, ‘how are we going to do it?’ And then when we do it I just feel speechless. Hats off to all of my kids. They work their tails off every single game.”
It was a pair of three-minute spurts that gave the Blue Devils (17-2) the offensive power they needed to eclipse the visiting Yellow Jackets. And their strong-standing defense helped give them their second shutout in a row.
Captain Jason Ortega began a quick sequence in the opening minute from midfield, getting the ball to Tee Jarrard before he slipped it over to Matthew Syverson on the right side. The junior then shot past the Jeff Davis keeper and put Model up 1-0 just 43 seconds into the match.
Syverson would accomplish nearly the same shot less than two minutes later off of another assist from Jarrard.
“They’re unselfish, that’s the biggest thing,” Mendence said. “These guys will give up a goal to pass up a better goal for their teammates. I try to really emphasize just getting one more pass and making another guy more open.”
The 2-0 score would stand for the rest of the half and on into the second half until Jarrard got a goal of his own in the 65th minute thanks to a well-placed pass from Ortega.
The two seniors traded roles in the 67th minute, as Jarrard fed Ortega for a top-shelf shot that set the final score, 4-0. Model keeper David Clark recorded five saves to earn the clean sheet, while Jahari Merritt and Kirk McStotts became sparks on defense.
Mendence said McStotts has turned it up another level as the senior defender works to extend his final season.
“He’s been playing with everything he’s got. … It’s just absolute heart. That’s all it is,” Mendence said. “They’re all playing with so much heart right now. The fact that we’ve kept two teams in a row scoreless in the playoffs is seriously impressive.”
The Blue Devils’ inaugural appearance in the Final Four will come Tuesday, at home, as they host Region 8-AA champion Putnam County.