The Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devil football team knew they would get tested Friday night when Milton Hershey visited town.

The Blue Devils played hard, but a couple of early turnovers dug a hole too deep, losing to the Spartans 34-23.

Mid way through the second quarter the Blue Devils led 3-0, the defense was clicking and everything looked promising. That’s about the time the train left the tracks, a fumble snap would lead to Milton Hershey’s Shamar Manning hooking up with Chiago Anyanwu for a 32 yard touchdown pass.

Two minutes later Greencastle-Antrim’s Cade McDowell would get hit as he attempted a pass and the Spartans Xavier Oliver would come up with the interception and take it to the end zone, Milton Hershey’s second touchdown and just minutes.

“Turnovers, we gave them field position on the first score, we gave them the second score. I thought we came out flat, we won’t come out flat again, we are going to work too hard for that” G-A coach Chuck Tinninis said after the game.

Despite those costly turnovers the Blue Devils came out to start the second half trailing just 14-3.

A fumbled punt snap mid way through the third would give Milton Hershey the ball on the G-A 24 yard line, Manning then connected with Naeem Cross for the touchdown. The next time the Spartans had the ball, more of the same, Manning to Carrington Smith. That touchdown extended the lead to 28-3 and basically sealed the game for Milton Hershey.

Greencastle-Antrim would add a few touchdowns late, Cade McDowell rushed to two scores and connected with Cade Marshall for a 26-yarder late in the fourth quarter. “We kept our guys in late, wanted to get some offense going, which we did, that’s a bright spot. I think we need to learn from this game, and we will.” Tinninis said.

The Blue Devils will take their 1-1 record on the road for the first time next Friday when they visit East Pennsboro.