Red Devils Victorious In Round One
Trending
ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- If Brett McLean said it once this week, he said it a thousand times.
The veteran St. Clairsville head coach cautioned his team and basically anyone who would listen to not judge Newark Licking Valley by its record (2-7) or its seed (15).
Even after he watched his Red Devils drop a 28-point bomb in the first quarter on the invading Panthers Friday night in a Division IV, Region 15 first-round game, McLean knew Licking Valley wouldn't lay down.
Once again, the winningest coach in St. Clairsville football history proved to be correct. But, his team and specifically his offense, was too much and finished with a 55-38 victory to advance to the regional quarterfinal next week against Carrollton.
"I knew this would be this type of game," McLean admitted. "Even when we were up 28-0, I was on our sideline trying to make sure we kept our mojo because I had a feeling the wave was coming and it would swing in their favor, so we needed to be able to put the brakes on it and get it back."
It actually wasn't until the Panthers had crept as close as 11 with still basically the entire fourth quarter to play when the Red Devils (10-1) delivered a knock-out blow.
"It was back-and-forth like you see all the time in playoff games, basically going score for score," McLean said. "The kids reacted well, though. You don't want to get too high or too low."
Facing a third-and-10 on the 34, St. Clairsville quarterback Drew Sefsick went deep and All-Ohioan Colin Oberdick, who delivered numerous big plays throughout the game, went between a pair of Licking Valley defenders and hauled in the pass for a 55-yard gain.
Two plays later, senior tailback Jacob Jordan was in the end zone from 8 yards out and finally the Red Devil fans could exhale.
"That was a huge play between Drew and Colin," McLean said. "The emotional tide was high and in their favor, but what a throw by Drew. I have no idea how far he threw that ball, but it felt like it couldn't come down soon enough because I saw those safeties converging."
The Red Devils officially salted the game away when their defense forced a punt and the offense punched in again. Jordan, who found the end zone five times total, capped the drive once more. This one was from 5 yards out. Lucas Otto, who hit seven of eight PATs was true on the conversion and it was 55-31.
On top of the 93 points, the game featured 830 yards of total offense, 34 first downs and five combined turnovers.
"I don't know about the stats or anything like that, but I do know we won and we're moving on to the next one," McLean said.
Jordan rushed 20 times for 160 yards and the five touchdowns, which covered 4, 17, 8, 8 and 5. He had an 80-yarder called back due to holding.
Sefsick was just 5 of 11 passing, but he finished with 225 yards. He connected with Oberdick three times for 150 yards. He had touchdown catches of 38 and his 57-yarder in the middle of the third quarter appeared as if it might have been the first nail in the Licking Valley coffin.
Sefsick's other touchdown pass went to speedy sophomore Colt Westlake, who hauled in a 78-yarder to make it 14-0 in the first quarter.
"I knew Licking Valley was very good, coached well and they have some really good young players, and I guarantee you we'll see and hear a lot about those dudes as they grow up," McLean said.
One of those Licking Valley youngsters who shined was quarterback Hayden Rodgers. He accounted for 266 yards of the Panthers' 395. He rushed for 122 and a touchdown. He also completed 15 of 28 for 144 yards and a 30-yard touchdown to Isaac Barsotti, who also ran for a pair.
Next up for the Red Devils is a rematch with Carrollton next Friday, back at Red Devil Stadium. St. C. was a 42-35 winner over the Warriors in Week 1 in Carroll County.
"We all know these are two totally different teams since (we last played)," McLean said. "We'll get to work as soon as we can work out a film exchange. It's a team we've been on the field with a lot and those games have always been great."