Published on: Thursday, September 30, 2010

By Brandy L. Simms

SILVER SPRING – Springbrook remained unbeaten following a come-from-behind 8-3 home victory Friday over cross-town rival Blair.

The Blue Devils improved to 4-0 heading into this weekend’s showdown with unbeaten Damascus.

Meanwhile, Blair dropped to 1-3 after earning their first win of the season in a come-from-behind victory over Wheaton.

Blair head coach Jeff Seals called the loss “very frustrating” and said, “We made our own mistakes.”

Seals, however, also commended his team on their effort against a talented Springbrook squad. “The kids played real good,” he said. “I told the kids ‘I know it’s a hard loss.’”

Blair’s three losses this season have been by a combined 24 points.

The Blair defense, who gave up 42 points against Wheaton, held the Blue Devils scoreless in the first half.

“They’re a big, physical team and they took it to us,” said Springbrook head coach Rob Wendel. “They hit and they hammered us good.”

The Blazers held Springbrook star running back Devon Pestano to 77 yards rushing on 20 carries. The senior came into the game averaging 186 yards per contest but was held well below his average.

“We just keyed on him,” said Seals. “He was a key back so we just keyed on him.”

The visiting Blazers took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter after a 17-yard field goal by Gerson Calles sailed through the uprights.

Springbrook junior Tayvon Ross returned the second half kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and Khalil Smith connected with Brandon Creary for the two-point conversion to put the Blue Devils ahead to stay.

Springbrook halted a Blair scoring drive on a Pestano interception late in the game.

The Springbrook defense has been stingy during the 2010 campaign, yielding just 22 points in four games this season.

“They have a pretty good defense,” said Seals. “I knew it was going to be tough.”