“It was a hell of a game.” — Blue Devil Erick Hill”

ROSCOE, NY — Talk about a come-from-behind victory and more than a century of coaching experience.

On Saturday, September 15, the home team Blue Devils of Roscoe/Livingston Manor/Downsville faced off against the visiting Sullivan West Bulldogs in Section IX eight-man football.

In an interesting note, last season on the local high school gridiron, Sullivan West was part of this combined team; but with the adoption of eight-man football at several schools, the reduction of three players allowed the Bulldogs to field their own squad this year.

Last year, the combined team (Roscoe/Livingston Manor/Sullivan West/Downsville) was coached by veteran helmsman Fred Ahart, while Sullivan West’s legendary coach Ron Bauer sat out the football season.

But in 2018, Bauer is back leading the pack of Bulldogs, and Ahart is still firmly in charge of the Blue Devils.

Before the game, announcer Becky Ahart reminded the crowd they were watching a bit of history unfold, as between the two coaches, they have a combined total of 102 years coaching local teams (50 for Ahart, 52 for Bauer).

And then it was game time.

The first half was predominately Bulldogs, while in the second half the home team rallied to post a 39-28 win.

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