Blue Devils edge past Purple Eagles

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Tommy Mattison brings the ball up field during this evening’s Homecoming game against visiting East Aurora/Holland as Kory Reynolds blocks.

East Aurora/Holland edged past host Albion 14-12 this evening in a B East Division contest spoiling the Purple Eagles Homecoming celebration.

Trailing 14-6 in the third quarter, Albion closed the gap to just two points on a 16 yard touchdown run by Tommy Mattison but the Purple Eagles could not pull even.

Sparked by a 40 yard run by Mattison, the Purple Eagles did drive to the Blue Devils 20 yard line where the drive stalled out on downs with only 40 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Albion stayed within 7-6 at the half as Trey Hart caught a 21 yard touchdown pass from Tyler Rotoli with 1:27 remaining in the second quarter.

Interceptions deep in Blue Devils territory wiped out Albion’s first two drives of the game as the second pick came in the endzone.

Mattison, who had 200 yards rushing on the night on 24 carries, had runs of 16 and 22 yards to help ignite that drive which also included a key 14 yard pickup by quarterback Kyle Smith.

Mattison also led the Purple Eagles defense with 8 tackles as Rotoli made 7 stops.

East Aurora/Holland improves to 2-0 in the division and 3-1 overall while Albion slips to 0-3, 1-3.

Albion’s Tyler Rotoli sheds a tackle by the Blue Devils Brigham Rogers to pick up yardage.