A promising start for the Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils turned into a tough finish Friday night as Columbia Montour Vo-Tech stormed back in the second half to earn a 38-19 victory in Week 1 of the high school football season.
The Blue Devils broke the ice early in the second quarter when Mikey Elchisak sprinted 20 yards to the end zone for the team’s first score of 2025. Quarterback Ethan Bench followed later in the quarter with a 1-yard sneak, extending the lead to 13-0 after the extra point.
Columbia Montour answered with a 3-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion, trimming the margin to 13-8 with 2:30 left before halftime. But Elchisak struck again, breaking loose for a 46-yard touchdown run to make it 19-8. The Rams wasted no time responding, putting together a quick drive capped by a 27-yard touchdown pass, sending the teams into the locker room with Shenandoah ahead 19-14.
Momentum shifted after the break. The Rams took control with a 16-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, adding a two-point conversion to go in front 22-19. From there, Columbia Montour’s defense stiffened, turning back several Blue Devil drives deep in Rams territory.
The fourth quarter proved decisive. After Shenandoah’s offense stalled at the Rams’ 5-yard line, CMVT capitalized with a short touchdown run and another two-point conversion to extend the lead to 30-19. A late interception return for a touchdown sealed the game, giving the Rams a 38-19 win.
Shenandoah Valley falls to 0-1 on the season but showed flashes of explosiveness.
The Blue Devils will look to rebound next Friday when they travel to face Minersville in a Schuylkill League matchup.
Photos by Cody Jacob
