69´«Ã½

Averaging 309 yards a game on the ground, the Blue Devils headed into their Section III, Class D semifinal matchup as the No. 2 seed with an 8-1 record.

However, the semifinals would present a defense adept at limiting what Cato-Meridian has excelled at.

The Blue Devils were held to one touchdown in their 21-6 loss to No. 3 Mount Markham on Friday at Jordan-Elbridge High School. It was the first time this season Cato-Meridian scored under 10 points, which head coach C.J. Hannon ascribed to a Mustangs defense that has allowed 7 or fewer points in three of its last four games. 

"We just struggled against their defense," he told 69´«Ã½. "They're really good. You got to give Mount Markham a lot of credit."

After deferring to the second half, the Blue Devils' defense forced a punt on the opening series. Cato-Meridian's first drive resulted in a three-and-out, which led to a punt that landed on its own 34-yard line. The Mustangs then took advantage of the field position with a 29-yard touchdown off a jet sweep at the 5:21 mark of the first quarter. 

Cato-Meridian managed to get into the red zone at the start of the second quarter, but senior quarterback Finley Stonecypher could only pick up 6 yards on fourth-and-9. 

On the Blue Devils' ensuing offensive possession, Mount Markham picked off Stonecypher for a 34-yard return. Due to the Mustangs' rushing defense forming a wall, Stonecypher and Cato-Meridian were forced to pass more than they have been accustomed to this season. The wind, coupled with the temperatures, added another layer to the team's complications.

"We needed to throw the ball, but it's tough conditions," Hannon said. "But we were having trouble protecting our quarterback, and it was just tough to throw the ball against a really good defense."

The Mustangs then capitalized off the turnover with an 18-yard rushing touchdown to take a 14-0 advantage.

Senior Camren Hoag, the Blue Devils' leading rushing at 1,002 yards this season, responded on the next possession with a 59-yard touchdown to trim his team's deficit to 8. Outside of the 59-yard run, Cato-Meridian was held to just five first-half runs that went for 6 or more yards.

In the second half, Mount Markham grew its lead to 15 off a 5-yard rushing touchdown, which came after Cato-Meridian failed to score out of the break.

The Blue Devils' struggles on offense persisted, as they were unable to rattle off explosive runs like they had done for most of the season. Despite the offensive woes, Cato-Meridian's defense tightened up toward the end of the fourth quarter by forcing a turnover on downs and a punt.

"The defense was hanging in there against a good offense," Hannon said. "They were tough just trying to hang in there. We were giving it our best."

However, it would not be Cato-Meridian's night. 

With the Blue Devils in the red zone with under four minutes remaining, the Mustangs picked off Stonecypher at their own 5-yard line to seal the victory.

Cato-Meridian finished its 2024 campaign at 8-2. Having gone 1-7 last season, that success means even more to Hannon. 

"I can't say enough about how proud of them I am," he said. "It's a tough loss tonight, but it's been a good year."