Last year was a return to football for the Mathews Blue Devils, who hadn't fielded a varsity team since the Spring Covid season.
Last year was a return to football for the Mathews Blue Devils, who hadn’t fielded a varsity team since the Spring Covid season. Dustin Mullins was named head coach a few weeks before the season and had to start with the basics with less than 30 players with no experience. Mathews only played four games, but they have a full 10-game schedule this year.
The Blue Devils scored only 20 points in their 1st year back as a varsity program. They will run a Double-Wing Flexbone offense this season.
Blue Devils Offense
Junior Liam Suthard returns at quarterback, and last season was his first year of playing organized football. “He had some really good moments of success last year and some bad moments,” Mullins said, “but I think he’s going to take a good step forward running our offense this year.”
Senior Nolan Swan is the leading returning running back, and he will be the starting two-back. Also returning is Junior Franklin Cardenas, who is one of three backs in the wing. Mullins describes 2027 fullback Sam Tomcany (5-11, 175) as a Swiss Army knife who can do a lot of things and will rotate in a lot. Junior Yanni Vaziouracis provides another body at fullback.
The Blue Devils don’t have any returning receivers with experience, but offseason work has highlighted a few potential starters. Junior Jaden Boyd (5-9, 160) is a returning starter, but he is switching from wingback to take advantage of his speed. Freshman Eric Cardenas will start at the other wideout after having a lot of success during 7-on-7 matchups. Junior Sam Hartlove, who didn’t play a lot of wide receiver last year, is expected to make an impact this year with the blocking schemes and catching a pass or two. Carter Coles is a transfer who Mullins said is a dark-horse heading into his sophomore year. Coles (5-8, 140) is an experienced football player coming from the Michigan area, and he will play wide-out and wing-back.
“I said, my skill backs,” Mullins said. “I got some guys that can hit home runs with a run, and I got some guys that can really bang for like two or three yards between the guard and tackle.”
Linemen
The line doesn’t have a lot of size, but they should be better in year two. Junior William Marshall will play center, and he is a returning starter. Marshall played tackle last year but wanted to try center this year. Sophomore Trey Church (6-2, 275) played for me as a freshman last year. Church plays basketball, and he’s more flexible. LI think he’s going to really pop on the screen this year. Aimen Southern (6-0, 1700, who is Liam’s twin brother, will start at guard. “He’s just one of my quick guards that I’m going to use to try to get that chip block, get up to that second level and get that linebacker,” Mullins said.
Two freshmen who are going to play this year, and Mullins said they are already among the most skilled linemen. Colten Sadler (5-9, 190) is the most experienced football player on the team, playing football from youth through high school. He will start at the other guard spot and may also rotate in at center. Andrew Clevenger will play tackle.
Blue Devils Defense
Mathews had two All-District players despite only playing five games. Sophomore Franklin Cardinas (5-7, 150) can play either corner or safety. He was All-District as a sophomore last year and had two interceptions against Charles City. His older brother, Salvador, was a 2nd-team All-Region player, but he is recovering from an injury. Mullins says Jesse Monastyrly is going to be a great addition to the defense, flying all over the field.
Nolan Swan is a returning starter who will play corner for the Blue Devils. Freshman Bladen Moore will start at corner or safety. He was the JV quarterback last year and will be the backup quarterback as a freshman. Eric Cardenas and Jaden Boyd are additional names to look out for in the secondary.
The linebacker group might be the best unit on the team. Sam Tomcany will start at outside linebacker, and he led the team in tackles. He is an All-District caliber player. Liam Suthard starts at the other outside backer position. Freshman Colten Sadler (5-9, 190) is the hardest hitter on my team and will start at inside linebacker. Aimen Suthard is another projected starter, while Junior Yanni Vaziouracis is a possible starter, and he will help with the rotation.
The defensive front is going to be led by nose tackle Trey Church, who Mullins said will clog two holes and require a double team. Church is the leading returning tackler for the linemen. William Marshall is a returning starter at defensive end. Andrew Clevenger will start at the other defensive end. Junior Will Harper will rotate in along with senior Charlie Williams.
Outlook
Mathews should be vastly improved with a full off-season and second year playing football. The Blue Devils compete in the Tidewater District in Region 1A. Their 1st game is against Cumberland, who did not have football last year after going 0-11, including a playoff loss. A win in the season opener will tell how far the Blue Devils have come.
Category: General Sports
