IT WAS a tough weekend for several Eastern Ohio teams in the OHSAA grid playoffs this past weekend.

Shadyside and Harrison Central exited the postseason Friday night while River and Indian Creek followed suit some 24 hours later. Fortunately, St. Clairsville, Steubenville and Toronto all passed opening-round tests.

The Red Devils turned in a workmanlike effort in downing Licking Valley, 22-3, on their home turf. Coach Brett McLean’s charges were somewhat lethargic offensively, part of which, may have been due to a nine-day layoff since its much-hyped and physical showdown with Steubenville.

The Devils’ defense, however, was more than up to the task, suffocating the Panthers all night long. St. C. features a trio of terrific big-play defenders in Brendan Ferns, Jake Stewart and Cole Skaggs.

Skaggs delivered the death blow by scooping up a Panther fumble and running 79 yards to the one-yard line, setting up a St. C. touchdown.

All told, the St. C. defense yielded just 100 yards and five first downs while forcing five turnovers. It is a unit which acquitted itself quite nicely in the week 10 loss to Steubenville, holding Big Red scoreless the first 18 minutes of the game.

St. Clairsville now meets 11-0 Johnstown-Monroe in the regional semifinals at Zanesville. The Red Devils will be a tough out for three big reasons:

The Steubenville game made them better; St. C. plays great defense and McLean and his troops have been through the playoffs wars.

The trappings are set for a St.C.-Steubenville rematch in week 13 with a state semifinal-berth on the line. Big Red takes on 10-1 Salem this week.

TORONTO WILL be facing an acid test this Friday in Warren JFK. The 10-1 Red Knights beat up on undermanned Mathews, 49-7, Friday. JFK is 9-1 against a brutal schedule and has a chance to travel several more weeks down the playoff road.

SUPER SIX

THE CITY of Wheeling may be electric come Dec. 5-6. I am calling for three locals to be vying for West Virginia state grid titles come that weekend.

Wheeling Park is seeded No. 3 in Class AAA, guaranteeing the Patriots at least two home games should they take care of business in their initial test. Park has the playmakers and rugged lines on both sides of the ball to grab the brass ring.

Magnolia and Wheeling Central, meanwhile, are the teams to beat in Class A. As fate would have it, they are bracketed to where they would not meet until the championship game. Such an encounter, should it come to fruition, would have Wheeling Island Stadium filled to the gills.

BUBBA’S BITS

WESTERVILLE CENTRAL – coached by former Bellaire High mentor John Magistro – passed its initial Division I playoff test with flying colors Saturday night. The Warhawks pounded Toledo Smart by a 49-30 count. Magistro and his 10-1 troops will now face 9-2 Euclid.

EVERY WEEK, another college team gets shafted by faulty officiating. A week ago, Duke got a raw deal on the game’s final play against Miami (Fla). This past Saturday, Michigan State was robbed of victory in the waning second at Nebraska. A Cornhusker receiver clearly stepped out of bounds on his own before coming back inbound to snare the game-winning grab. There is no need for review since officials still get it wrong after watching the video.

KUDOS TO Martins Ferry’s Jacob Bishop for his stellar cross country efforts this season. The talented junior capped a great fall by gaining all-Ohio honors with a 21st place finish in Saturday’s state meet.

SAMM REESE continues to excel with the Purdue University diving team. The talented sophomore won the 3M event against Iowa while placing second in the 1M. The Boilermakers prevailed. Her parents are Don and Janie (Patrone) Reese, both Martins Ferry natives.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com