Red Devils Have Answered Questions, Host Morgan In D-II Playoffs
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St. Clairsville came into the season with plenty of question marks because of the talented class of seniors it was tasked to replace from the 2021 campaign.
With each passing week, the Red Devils answered question after question en route to a strong 8-2 season and now find themselves as the top seed in the Division IV, Region 15 playoffs, which they'll open Friday at 7 p.m. against 16th-seeded Morgan.
"This team has evolved from day one of camp and then throughout the season," St. C. head coach Brett McLean said. "We were sitting at 3-2 at the mid-way point and honestly we just set a goal to win one week at a time and it worked out to get us to where we are."
The Red Devils only two setbacks came to Wheeling Park and Linsly. Both have firmly established themselves as two of the premier teams in the Ohio Valley this season.
St. Clairsville, which captured yet another Buckeye 8 South crown, comes into the tournament off a win over Cambridge and is now setting its sights on a Raiders' squad, which finished 6-4 in the Muskingum Valley Conference, but defeated nary a team with more than five wins.
"It's exciting that it's a different opponent," McLean said. "I am glad it's not someone we've played in the regular season right away. It makes it feel more like the playoffs, at least in my eyes anyway."
McLean will not allow his team to get caught up in a seed number, especially when he glances at the Raiders' schedule, which saw them lose games to teams that are a combined 33-7.
"We have to be focused on the task at hand," McLean said. "This is a team Morgan has been building for with a lot of three and four-year lettermen on the team. They play really good, playoff-caliber teams every year, so they're prepared to go on the field with everyone."
Logan Niceswanger triggers the Raider attack from the quarterback spot. He's thrown for more than 1,300 yards and has 11 touchdowns. His favorite target is Kole Searl, who has hauled in more than 40 passes for upwards of 600 yards.
The Raiders' ground game is led by Carson Copeland, who has surpassed the 600-yard mark.
Another play to keep an eye on for Mogan is senior two-way lineman Wade Paully. He can cause a lot of havoc as a pass rusher and he's also been utilized in the backfield as a fullback.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, have been relatively balanced throughout the season with senior quarterback Andrew Vera leading the way. He's thrown for 1,216 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 696 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Senior running back Jacob Walker has had an impressive season. He's rushed for 996 yards and 13 touchdowns.
When Vera does go to the air, junior Cole Thoburn is the top option. He's caught 24 passes for 343 yards and five touchdowns. Colt Westlake has emerged along with sophomore Tyson Pastor as viable options. Grant Swider also has had some big moments.
"We have a hard time comparing their defense to what you see from us (offensively) because of what teams are running against them," McLean said. "We do see a lot of the same guys making plays on both sides of the ball."