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BELLAIRE -- St. Clairsville went into the locker room, at halftime, looking up at a 10-7 deficit.
The Red Devils certainly didn't press any panic buttons. They simply wanted to take better care of the ball and continued with their approach of taking it one play at a time.
St. Clairsville committed nary a turnover in the second half, hit for some big plays in both the running and passing game and continued to play opportunistic defense. Add it all up and it resulted in a 28-16 victory against the Big Reds (6-1) at crowded and sun-drenched Nelson Field.
"This was a total team effort, and I am very proud of our kids," St. C. Head coach Brett McLean said. "We told the kids at halftime we needed to take things one play at a time and we hit a couple of big plays."
The Red Devils (6-1) ignited the big-plays on their first possession of the third quarter when quarterback Drew Sefsick, who had thrown three interceptions in the first half, made amends. He ripped off a 50-yard run into the red zone and a couple of plays later, he plunged into the end zone from a yard out. The second of four Lucas Otto PAT kicks put St. Clairsville on top, 14-10.
The score remained that way until there was just 8:36 to play in the game. After the Red Devils defense forced one of Bellaire's three, second-half punts, St. Clairsville needed just five plays to go 69 yards for a touchdown. Another big hit in the passing game set up the touchdown.
"We couldn't get many first downs, and I knew it would be a struggle to score and get first downs," Bellaire head coach Mark Spigarelli said. "They have some playmakers and we gave up a couple of big plays, which is tough to overcome against a good team."
Sefsick found senior Jaren Starks for a 64-yard gainer. Two plays later, Sefsick executed a boot leg to near perfection and found senior Colin Oberdick, who had opened the scoring in the game with a 48-yard touchdown in the first quarter, in the back corner of the end zone from 4 yards out.
The teams traded punts, but taking over and trailing 21-10, the Big Reds knew they had to operate quickly. Junior quarterback Jake Heatherington had a pass batted right into Oberdick's waiting arms. He weaved his way back for a 29-yard pick six to basically seal the deal.
"In our six wins, we were the team that was able to create some points off turnovers," Spigarelli said. "I am proud of my guys, but I am disappointed that we continue to get stupid penalties."
In the first half, Spigarelli felt like his team may have left some points on the field. The Big Reds were stuffed on the one-foot line on a third-down call and then elected to throw on fourth down only to watch it fall incomplete.
"We played well in the red zone, especially down near the goal line," McLean said. "
Bellaire was unable to convert a first-and-goal in the second quarter and settled for three points on a Lucas Littell 22-yard field goal.
Just one of the three turnovers resulted in a touchdown. That came after Youngstown State commit Colt Sechrest made an impressive over-the-shoulder catch of an interception and raced it back to the Devils' 12. Junior Brayden Roth scored on the next play.
"We played really, really well in the first half," Spigarelli said. "I know people are going to be second guessing me and I really don't (care). St. Clairsville is a great football team."
The Red Devils received a huge day from Sefsick. He rushed for 88 yards and completed just six passes, but they went for 177 yards. Oberdick, an All-Ohioan at wide receiver, hauled in four passes for 103 yards.
Heatherington finished 14 of 27 for 156 yards. Roth rushed for 51 yards on 15 carries.
Both teams are in action on Friday.
Bellaire makes the short trip south to take on Shadyside, while St. Clairsville, which has completed the road portion of its schedule, returns to the friendly confines of Red Devil Stadium to play rival Union Local.