The Mortimer Jordan defense took a forecast of their defeat to Guntersville personally.

Junior linebacker Nicholas Mann said a media outlet predicted the Blue Devils would fall because their defense was giving up too many points.

“We had to show them that we were better.”

Mann and his mates left no doubt to the outcome of the quarterfinal round Class 5A AHSAA playoff contest, holding the Wildcats scoreless in a 26-0 victory at Jimmie Trotter Stadium. The win sends Mortimer Jordan to their first-ever trip to the semifinals at Alexandria, the only team to beat the Blue Devils this season.

Friday’s victory came in only the third trip to the third round and their 12 wins so far is a program high. The only other time came in 1995 in Class 4A.

Coach Dusty Goode admitted that he was concerned about his squad’s ability to stop Wildcats senior running back Jordan Bentley, saying the senior already has 2,000 yards this season and more than 100 touchdowns for his career.

“He’s a tremendous back,” he said. “I can’t say enough about our guys. We had a good game plan and our guys executed that game plan. They played lights out.”

Bentley finished with just 46 yards on 19 carries, about a fourth of his per-game average.

“Our defense has worked hard this week,” said defensive back Kyle Elsberry, who like Mann had an interception. “We were just looking to step up in the playoffs. Our offense helped us out a lot this year but we’re ready now.”

The Blue Devils used an assortment of running backs to move the ball down the field on their opening drive but it was a 49-yard pass from senior Duncan Hodges to Walker McCleney that up the home team up 6-0 in the first quarter.

“We’ve got wide receivers who can make plays and we’ve got linemen who can block,” Hodges said. “Any team that we go against I feel like we can make a play like that happen.”

Guntersville had a goal-line stand early in the second quarter, holding Mortimer Jordan at the 1. As intermission neared, the Blue Devils scored again with Hodges finding Trey Peters on a 20-yard pass.

“I just threw it up for him but it was a little underthrown,” the quarterback said. “I trust him to go get the ball because he’s a heck of a ballplayer.”

Hodges finished 8-for-12 passing for 112 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He had nine carries for 76 yards and another score.

Guntersville coach Lance Reese said his team couldn’t get much of a push on the offensive line.

“Credit goes to them,” he said. “They did an excellent job. Defensively, I thought we fought hard and gave up some big pass plays. Their O-line and D-line did a great job. They’re a very good football team and we saw it tonight.”

The Wildcats coach reflected on a second straight undefeated regular season and run into the playoffs.

“We’ve accomplished a lot,” he said. “I’m proud of our players, proud that they kept fighting. When we reflect back we’ll see it’s been a great season.”