By Hannah Caver, for The Tribune
MOODY — Moody High School defeated Hayden here, 43-12 on Friday, September 3, 2021, to go 3-0 for the first time since 1996, when they reeled off four straight victories to open the season.
Moody scored in the first five minutes of the first quarter. Junior quarterback A.J. Wallace hit Davion Dozier for a 12-yard touchdown. Still, Hayden was not giving up without a fight, battling back with a 12-play touchdown drive, but missed the PAT. Moody led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Blue Devils were powered by junior quarterback A.J. Wallace, who threw for 164 yards and went 11 for 13 on attempts through the air for 5 touchdowns.
“A team that went 0-9 last year and never lost faith and belief in what we’re doing, totally bought into what we’re doing,” Moody head coach Adam Wallace said. “Now they’re getting to see the reward of all that hard work.”
Nick Burrell powered the running game, going for 130 yards on 15 carries, while Blaine Burke caught 4 balls for 31 yards, Kolby Seymour snatched 1 ball for a 26-yard touchdown, and Davion Dozier hauled in 4 catches for 64 yards.
“We play as a team, so it feels good to get the win,” Dozier said. “I feel like if we could get through anyone’s defense, we can just score on anybody.”
Moody used quick strikes to exploit Hayden’s defense. On one drive in the third quarter, the Blue Devils converted three first downs and used a hefty dose of Burrell to keep the Hayden squad on its heels.
“The [Hayden] linebackers were just too slow, and my lineman block very, very good,” Burrell said. “I give all the credit to the O-linemen.”
The Blue Devils are on the road again next week when they travel to Leeds to take on the Green Wave. But that’s not what they’re thinking about at this point.
“We know how hard it is to win a football game in high school football. So, we’re going to enjoy this one,” Coach Wallace said.