Moody advances to state championship

By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor

MOODY – The 2024 Moody Blue Devils continue to make history, and they are doing so in dominant fashion.  Friday night was no different, as Moody used dominant defense and a huge 28-point third quarter to beat their cross-town rivals, the Leeds Greenwave, 42-0.

Moody’s Charlie Johnston with the throw.
Credit: Ron Burkett

It looked like Moody would run away with the game early as they would jump out to 7-0 lead just a minute and twenty seconds into the game on a 24-yard run by Bravis Cave Jr.

However, Leeds would take the ball and go on a 10-minute drive.  While it would yield no points, the drive would keep the explosive Moody offense off of the field and give the Greenwave the momentum.

Moody would have a nice goal line stand, keeping Conner Nelson and Leeds from getting into the end zone from an inch away.  The Blue Devils would put together a nice drive, but some penalties and a bad snap late in the drive would prove costly.  Moody kicker Cal Overton would line up for a field goal, but the snap would be dropped and the attempt would fail.

Nelson would get the ball back with 14 seconds to go in the first half.  On the second play, he would throw a pass that would be picked off by Brodie McCutcheon.  The Blue Devils would have a few laterals in an attempt to score, but it would not work and the score would be 7-0 Moody at half.

Leeds would start with the ball in the third, but they would be held to a punt.  Moody would score on their first play as Charlie Johnston hit Josiah Dozier for a 70-yard touchdown, making it 14-0 Moody.

After another three-and-out, Moody would get on the board again on a four-yard run by Cave, making it 21-0 with 6:36 to go in the third.

At the 2:17 mark, after the defense stood tall once again, Johnston would find Le’Kamren Meadows for a 21-yard touchdown and the Blue Devils were rolling at 28-0.

Moody’s Braden Wright runs after a catch.
Credit: Ron Burkett

Johnston would find Jalijah Rutledge from 12 yards out at the 10:57 mark of the fourth and Kevin James, as he has done so many times this year, would put the exclamation mark on the game for Moody with a 21-yard touchdown run with 4:15 to go in the game.

Johnston would have yet another efficient night, going 13 of 18 for 252 yards and three touchdowns.  Jalijah Rutledge, who has come on strong late this season, finished with six catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.  Meadows narrowly beat out Cave (10 carries, 86 yards and a score) with 13 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown.

The defense held Conner Nelson to his lowest total of the season, allowing just 38 yards on 14 carries for the senior.

“This feels amazing,” said senior Braden Wright.  “All glory to God because He is the only one who can make this happen.  We have to get back to basics and don’t overlook anyone and hopefully things will work out like we plan.”

Sidney Walton said the following, “It feels great and amazing to have this last moment with my boys and beat our rivals and do what we were supposed to do.  We played as a team.  This is the best memory I will have on this field.  It’s amazing to be going to get the blue map.  Coach Ganus has changed the whole perspective here at Moody.  For us to get a chance to get what we have worked for is amazing.”

Kaleb Goff said, “This is great.  I’m glad we went out with our seniors.  It was an honor to play against our rivals, Leeds.  You couldn’t ask for any better, honestly.  We knew we would get here.  We will be winning next week when it’s time too.”

“This is a blessing, said Charlie Johnston.  “I cannot thank God enough for this opportunity.  I love this place, I love Moody, the city.  It is truly a blessing to get to play here with these guys.  Beating Leeds at home in the semifinals, it’s something I will tell my kids about one day.  I’m so proud of our team in the way we battled.  We have more work to do.”

Coach Jake Ganus had the following to say, “These seniors, they were freshmen when I got here.  They are so special to me.  The bought in, listened to this young guy talking about blue maps, I couldn’t be prouder of them.  They’ve led us all year.  They have my back and I have theirs.  I am really thankful to this community for buying in.  Parents getting them here at 5:50 am.  This is gratifying and we have talked about this.  But you have to work.  We are doing four-five-hour days in January.  I am really proud and happy.”

Brandon Wiley has spent 25 years with the Moody program, serving at one point as head football coach.  He is currently the special teams coach on Ganus’ staff.  Wiley said, “Really, the football teams have been up and down.  The facilities have changed to what all you see.  Everything around the school has changed, but the community has not.  That has kept me here for 25 years.  The book is writing itself.  I’m close to retirement and what a way to go out.  I love these people, coaches and kids.  Hard work does pay off.”

The Blue Devils will continue the quest for the blue map as they take on Montgomery Catholic on Thursday night at Protective Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm.