#8 Bishop Ready @ #1 St. Clairsville

[Rack162]

Regarding the devils schedule, they do have 4 opponents they beat in the playoffs-Norwayne UL Liverpool and MF. In hindsight, their schedule was much tougher than it appeared to be before season started. Didn’t see 8-2 for jets, 8-2 creek coming. And beaver before the injuries hit was solid. Liveroool 6-4 no joke either

-
and before the Big Red fans start rebutting this, yes I know your schedule is much much much tougher as you are in a league of your own in the ovac!

It was exactly as it appeared, though I must acknowledge that they had the second-toughest schedule in the Buckeye 8!, behind Beaver Local.

Good luck to St. C; it should be a good game.

[OVAC_Fan]

Any status update on STC #44. Looks like last week eased him into it and had great success throwing it.

[Dr. Pigskin]

Pigskin—what is your prediction on this one? Curious what you think

I think St C wins a pretty tight one. Keep in mind I haven’t seen Ready play so there is some comparative scores in my prediction. I’ve watched several St C games. They seem to be getting a nice balance. If you load the box they can hurt you and you can’t try guessing as a DC.

[SEOFF7]

Upset alert.
Saint C is a better than a lot of people think but BR isn’t a slouch by any means

[Rich Blackburn]

I think you’re right that Ready gets the win. Not sure I see double digits or a beatdown.

You picking both sides? Are you running for office?

[THETigerPub]

After watching 11 games for the Devils, there are 2 places where they have vastly improved as a team that I’m not sure was totally expected.

First, as has been mentioned, is the passing game. I believe the QB is around 1500 or so passing yards on the season, and this includes at least 6 games where the first team has not played after halftime. Included in that is many receiving targets, both fullbacks, 3 running backs, two tight ends, and likely 4-5 receivers with multiple catches. I was critical of the passing game, but it has become a real threat to those who stack the box to stop the run.

Secondly is the defense as a unit. Early in the season, it seemed as if anyone who could have any balance at all would be successful, much like the previous year had been. The secondary was a major question mark, as all a team needed to do was have an athlete to throw the ball deep to and it was likely completed or a penalty. This has been helped by the ability of StC to be able to stop the run with a 3 man front, and really only 5 in the box, and still get pressure in the pass rush. Since week 5, when I believe the defense really hit their stride, they have allowed a total of 42 points in 5 weeks. Of those 42, one could argue that only 22 of those points came against the full starting defense, 14 by Union Local and the Hail Mary to end the first half by Bellaire. The 6 scored by Creek, 8 scored by Cambridge, and 6 scored by Marion all came in the closing moments of each game which was already decided, and could easily be 3 consecutive shutouts entering the second round.

Obviously, these aren’t exactly seen as offensive juggernauts, but the yardage would also show how dominant the defense has been. I do not have full stats, but the amount of first downs and total yardage allowed the past 3 weeks has to be very low

[OVAC_Fan]

Good analysis Tiger Pub. This should be a real good game tomorrow night, hopefully the local ovac fans come out to watch and support the Devils.

definitely agree-passing game is as good as I’ve seen the Devils have since 2012 and defense has been lights out 2nd half of the season.

[THETigerPub]

The Times Leader article from today gives some great information as well… in last weeks win, four different players scored touchdowns, nine different players caught passes, and nine different players had a rushing attempt. Spreading the ball around that much makes it very difficult for a defense to lock into one aspect of an offense.

[StCRedDevils]

Game Day…Let’s go Devils!!!

[John rambo]

29-22 final! Devils move on to play west Holmes!

[Bigred95]

Good job Red Devils! Next week isn't going to be easy, but is one St. Clairsville should win!

[Tom Moore]

Good for St. C to get past Ready. Wasn't the first time the 8/9 seed Knights came east on 70 to play the #1 seed Red Devils, after all.

[StCRedDevils]

Good high school football game tonight. StC’s D stepped up when needed tonight. Great night for the Devils! Shift focus to West Holmes!

[THETigerPub]

A great high school game between two teams that are very similar. There had to be close to 50-60 rushing attempts combined, in a very physical game. What was a 7-0 defensive battle in the first half turned into a shootout in the second half.

The receiver for Ready, #9, was simply a fantastic player. Even in very good coverage and with tipped throws, he was able to make big plays. His one handed touchdown catch is something like you would see on sportscenter top 10. What looked to be a certain overthrow into double coverage became one of the best catches I have witnessed in years.

StC was somewhat back to its roots, grinding out a game on the ground. I believe the second half success came from the StC line and fullbacks constant downhill attack, including many very fast tempo plays, wore on Ready as the game went on. The biggest play of the night, however, was another great throw and catch by the QB on a 50 some yard pass for the winning score. #2 was very solid, as even the interception he threw was one which bounced off the chest of the receiver, and none were more important so far this season than the game winner.

It is quite poetic that the game started and ended with 4th and goal stops by each defense. StC was stopped on the one yard line on the first drive of the game, and Ready was stopped on 4th and goal from around the 8 yard line to end the game. A great atmosphere and two good teams battling for 4 quarters is all one can ask for as a fan.

[tinknocker1]

ST C played a little chippy . Had a couple personal fouls lol