Red Devils Not Taking Playoffs For Granted
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- It's starting to seem like old hat.
Stop me if you've heard this before ... the St. Clairsville Red Devils football team completed an impressive regular season, won the OVAC Class 4A title, the Buckeye 8 South crown and are home for the opening round of the Division IV playoffs.
While those accomplishments have become quite common in the last two decades under head coach Brett McLean, the veteran St. C. Head coach never wants his players, coaches or even the fans to take anything for granted.
"I am very excited about what our kids have accomplished under different circumstances," McLean said. "We've asked the kids to adapt to a lot of different things and to handle them and come out with a nine-win season is a true testament to the kids and our coaches."
The different circumstances sort of continue as the OHSAA is rolling out its increased playoff field as it celebrates its 50th annual grid tournament. For the first time, the top 16 finishers in each region qualified. That allowed 79 schools, across all seven divisions, to extend their seasons by at least one week despite having a sub .500 record.
"I am all for giving kids the opportunity to play more of the sport we love as well as giving kids and schools the exposure and opportunity to play in a playoff environment," McLean said. "(Playoff football) is an experience that all kids in Ohio high schools deserve to get to see and feel. But, I also want to keep safety in mind and maintaining it as a positive experience and in some cases (in the first round) there may be some lop-sided games."
Having said that, McLean, by no means, feels his team will be involved in one of those 'lop-sided' affairs despite it welcoming 15th-seeded Newark Licking Valley, which owns just a 2-7 record.
"I am going to have a hard time selling this to the public, but this is a very quality team that's lined up against some really good teams and competing every single week," McLean said. "It seems like every game they play comes down to the wire."
The Red Devils and Panthers are certainly not strangers to each other. This will mark the third meeting, all of which have occurred in the postseason. The last meeting was one McLean, unfortunately, remembers well.
"They completely kicked our butts the last time we were on the field with them," McLean said of a 30-0 setback in the 2018 regional championship game. "They're extremely well coached and always physical. Obviously, it's different teams and years than when we last played, but we expect to see high-quality opponents in the postseason and this will be no different."
The Panthers come to Belmont County as losers of five straight. Their two victories came in Week 2 over an 8-2 London outfit and in week five against Johnstown-Northridge, which finished 5-5 and is in the playoffs.
St. Clairsville will actually be the first Division IV team Licking Valley has played all season. They've played a pair of Division II schools as well as six, Division III squads.
"We're in for football game on Friday and our kids have bought into the motto of being prepared and ready to play, regardless of opponent," McLean said.
Licking Valley employs a balanced offense with sophomore Hayden Rodgers running the show at quarterback. He has completed 68 of 145 passes for 788 yards. He's thrown four touchdowns and six interceptions.
The leading rusher for the Panthers is Isaac Barsotti, who has gained 502 yards and scored four touchdowns on 73 carries.
"We realize they're a little young on the offensive side," McLean said. "They're just a snap or two away from being a six-win team. They have a veteran coaching staff that knows how to coach in the playoffs. The reality is everyone is 0-0 right now and the (seed) is just a number. It's all about winning this game."
The Red Devils have been versatile and powerful offensively with a three-headed senior monster of quarterback Drew Sefsick, tailback Jacob Jordan and wide receiver Colin Oberdick leading the way.
Sefsick has steadily progressed all season. He's also proven to be a threat on the ground, too. He's completed 78 of 132 passes for 1,582 yards and 19 touchdowns. He's rushed for 516 yards and eight touchdowns.
Jordan has been chewing up ground all season as he runs behind a veteran and talented offensive line that is led by Ohio State commit Avery Henry at tackle. Jordan has accumulated 1,144 yards and scored 17 touchdowns on 140 rushes.
Oberdick, an All-Ohioan last season, has been the big-play threat in the passing game. He's caught 32 passes for 779 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
Logan Shields and Carson Woodford have also been bright spots on the offensive side.
"We know Licking Valley is going to be aggressive and tackle well," McLean said. "We have to remember that a four-yard gain can be as valuable as anything."
Defensively, the Red Devils are led by sophomore Brennan Stout, who has 50 solos and 31 assisted tackles. Senior defensive lineman Mason McCort has caused fits for opposing linemen to a tune of 33 solo and 4.5 sacks. Drue Jozwiak and Woodford are also solid contributors with 29 solo tackles apiece.
Andrew Vera has been impressive in the secondary with 20 tackles and four picks. Austin Porter has six pass breakups.
"Our defense has been under the radar and somewhat underrated," McLean said. "They've made some big-time plays in the red zone and really developed a grit in that area of the field. That group has really taken great pride in not only limiting points, but the offensive production of the other team."
The special teams have been solid. Senior Lucas Otto has connected on 41 PATs and a field goal. Sefsick is a steady force at punter as a two-time All-Ohioan.