First things first: Devils get on winning track

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005

Two weeks felt a lot longer. But for the Springbrook High football team, the wait is over — it has win No. 1, and it feels great.

‘‘Sure does,” coach Rob Wendel said.

Einstein and its dangerous senior running back, Delonte Gordon, came to Silver Spring Friday night, and the Blue Devils handed their opponents a 22-6 beating.

For Springbrook (1-2), it was a stark role reversal — the team had been outscored in its first two losses to Sherwood and Blair, 54-20.

But on Friday, it was nothing but good vibes for the Blue Devils, who shut down Gordon (64 yards on 15 carries) and struck quickly.

Junior Nick Oates returned the opening kickoff to the Einstein 45-yard line and, three plays later, caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Harold Brantley (4 for 8, 68 yards, 1 TD) to make it 6-0.

The Blue Devils made it 12-0 in the second quarter when they blocked a punt, which was recovered and returned 15 yards for a touchdown by senior Kris Diggs.

Gordon made it a 12-6 game in the third on an 81-yard kickoff return, but the final period belonged to Springbrook, which benefited from sophomore Jose Chavez’s 21-yard field goal and a 4-yard scoring run by senior fullback Everett Pumphrey (14 carries, 74 yards).

Wendel credited Springbrook’s increased production on the ground (188 yards, as opposed to 76 against Sherwood and 128 against Blair) to the offensive line. Senior Derek Overton added 48 rushing yards Friday, and junior Adou Kouadio had 32.

‘‘Our line has been the big question mark,” Wendel said. ‘‘We knew those guys can play. Our line played hard, blocked well and blocked downfield.”