Propelled by a strong Blue Devil defense that held Lancaster scoreless in the second half, the Mathews High School varsity football team earned its first gridiron victory of the season, beating the Red Devils on Lancaster’s home turf, 15-14.

Lancaster jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. Mathews came back to score when quarterback Jovan Johnson connected with wide receiver Justin Ashberry on a 50-yard touchdown pass. Patrick Blake’s PAT kick closed the gap to 14-7 at halftime.

The Blue Devils’ second-half score started when Serong Rice picked off a Red Devil pass early in the third quarter. Johnson capped off the ensuing drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. MHS head coach C.J. Kelly opted to go for a two-point conversion and Chance Spencer got the call, carrying the ball over the goal line for the winning points.

Johnson gained 161 offensive yards, passing for one TD and rushing for the other. Ashberry had 97 receiving yards, including the touchdown, as well as blockin...