In his last game as a Blue Devil, ECHS defensive lineman Tyler Nero left his mark on Baldwin County during a 24-9 Blue Devil victory on senior night at Herbert Barnes Stadium.

As his future coach, head Auburn Tiger Gene Chizik, watched from the sideline, Nero dominated the Tigers of Bay Minette, knocking two Baldwin County quarterbacks out of the game with injuries and decimating BCHS skill players.

Offensively, Blue Devil sophomore quarterback Chris Johnson offset his four interceptions with four touchdowns.

The Devils’ win Friday night brings the program to .500 on the year in 2011. Following the victory, ECHS head coach Mark Heaton told his team he was impressed with their physicality during the contest.

“I’m proud of you,” Heaton said. “That’s one of the most physical football games you’ve played all year.”

Things did not start on a dominant note for the Devils. The Tigers struck first after picking Johnson off on the Devils’ first play from scrimmage. Trailing by 7 late in the first quarter, the ECHS offense continued to struggle. On the following series, a high snap deep in Devil territory resulted in a safety, extending the Tigers’ lead to 9-0.

With just over 10 minutes before the half, the Devils found some offensive life with an 84-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to receiver DaMarcus Taylor. Stout second quarter defensive play from Nero and company would send ECHS into halftime trailing by 3 points.

In spite of an ugly first half, the second 24 minutes of Friday’s game would belong to the Blue Devils. Johnson continued to play hit-or-miss football, literally, tossing 2 more picks, but found other ways of scoring, rushing for an up-the-middle third quarter score.

With just 59 seconds left in the third quarter, Johnson struck again. This time he found pay dirt on the ground from 3 yards out to put ECHS up 18-9.

Early in the fourth period Johnson showed he is not rattled easily by mistakes, tossing another deep touchdown pass. This time the score came on an 80-yard completion to Carl Staples to give the Devils the 24-9 lead.

If any momentum remained on the Tiger sideline it was completely muffled with just over 5 minutes to play in the game, as Nero struck again with a punishing blow to BCHS’ second-string quarterback. Following an injury break, the fallen Tiger was taken from the field by Atmore Ambulance for treatment of a suspected concussion.

Heaton said that, despite some sloppy play, he was impressed with the physical nature of Friday’s win.

“I was just proud of how they fought in the second half,” Heaton said. “They just came out and took care of the football game.”

Heaton said big wins in the last two games of a somewhat disappointing season really shows the character and determination of his players.

“They knew it was the last game and we’ve known for the last several weeks we weren’t going to be in the playoffs,” he said. “For them to come out these last two games and play the way they did, shows a lot about a handful of guys on this team that came out to make this thing happen.”

Heaton said he felt the Devils made a statement in their last game of the season.

“That’s one of the most physical football games I’ve ever been a part of,” he said.

As the Blue Devil program prepares to say goodbye to 14 senior players, Heaton said he felt good about the way they will remember their last game in blue and white.

“I think when you go out on a note like this, you feel like you have accomplished something. And they have. There are so many of those guys that I am truly going to miss.”

With Friday’s win the Blue Devils finish the season 5-5 overall, and 3-4 in their region.

With 2011 in the books, Heaton said ECHS will waste no time beginning preparations for next year.

“We start Monday,” Heaton said.