ATHENS — Good things come to those who wait.

It’s a cliche we’ve all heard for many years. Few, however, are willing — in today’s day and age of instant gratification — to often invest the time and effort to prove the adage to be true.

St. Clairsville graduate Jerrid Marhefka is a true testament to it. Actually, he’s been living proof of it for many years.

Marhefka spurned several Division II scholarship offers to walk on at Ohio University. He made that decision because he firmly believed he could play at the FBS level. He’s proven himself as he’s now a fifth-year senior for the Bobcats.

Though he’s persevered and battled his way up the depth chart, onto special teams and viable action, Marhefka’s resume was greatly enhanced Tuesday evening as full-fledged “Maction” kicked up when the Bobcats and Miami of Ohio clashed on national television.

Marhekfa, who was a multi-sport standout for the Red Devils, caught 3 passes for 27 yards. That doubled his season output. But, there’s more to it.

Late in the third quarter, with the Bobcats and Redhawks tied at 28, Marhefka caught an 11-yard touchdown, which ultimately proved to be the game winner as the Bobcats went on for a 45-28 victory.

It was Marhefka’s first career touchdown.

The Bobcats will celebrate senior day and Marhefka, who already owns a degree from Ohio University, will be recognized as Ohio takes on Toledo.

Linsly graduate Chuckwudi Chuckwu, who also opted to walk on in Athens, saw time once again in the game.

Here’s a look at other area products:

Football

Division I

ROSS COMIS, UMass — Madonna product completed 11-of-20 passes for 80 yards. He also rushed 14 times for 48 yards in a win against Appalachian State.

COLTON McKIVITZ, West Virginia — Red-shirt sophomore from Union Local started once again on the Mountaineers’ offensive line.

JOSH SILLS, West Virginia — Meadowbrook product played on the offensive line and is listed as the starting guard for this week’s game with Iowa State.

AUSTIN DORRIS, Indiana — Shadyside graduate played in the loss to Maryland.

Division II

ROBERT VARGO, Ohio Dominican — Martins Ferry product started once again at right guard.

MATT BARBOUR, Ohio Dominican — Martins Ferry graduate played in last week’s victory.

NYJUAN ROBINSON, Ohio Dominican — Steubenville graduate recorded four tackles in last week’s victory.

SHYOUN PETTEWAY, Ohio Dominican — True freshman from Steubenville had three tackles, including one for loss.

COLE SKAGGS, West Virginia Wesleyan — St. Clairsville graduate played in last week’s loss to Shepherd.

MATT KINNICK, West Virginia State — St. Clairsville graduate completed 20-of-29 passes for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed 11 times for 32 yards.

MATT HACKATHORN, Gannon — Wheeling Park graduate started again at right tackle. He also recorded a tackle.

COREY ERNEST, West Liberty — St. Clairsville graduate started at left guard in last week’s game.

BRENTON COLABELLA, West Liberty — Steubenville Central product was 2-of-4 passing for 17 yards.

TREVOR HARDESTY, West Liberty — John Marshall graduate caught 3 passes for 18 yards.

CLIFFORD CLARK, West Liberty — Cambridge product recorded 10 tackles in the Hilltoppers’ game last week.

CHANCE RUCKER, West Liberty — Caldwell graduate started at right tackle once again for the Toppers.

AUSTIN WHIPKEY, West Liberty — Linsly School product started at right guard once again.

SAVION JOHNSON, West Liberty — Wheeling Park graduate rushed 13 times for 76 yards last week.

THEO BLACKSTON, Mercyhurst — Wheeling Park alumnus caught 3 passes for 31 yards in a loss to California, Pa.

DEVON HARRIS, Walsh — St. Clairsville graduate caught a pass for 11 yards in a loss to Ohio Dominican.

Division III

DALTON SECHREST, Marietta — Beallsville product recorded two tackles for the Pioneers last week.

TANNER CLARK, Marietta — Caldwell graduate rushed 9 times for 40 yards in last week’s game.

LUCAS HERRINGTON, Mount Union — Steubenville graduate caught a pass for 4 yards in the Purple Raiders win.

CHASE KINEMOND, Bethany — Senior from Shadyside returned to quarterback and completed 14-of-36 passes for 121 yards and a pick. He also punted 9 times for a 40 yards average with four kicks landing inside the 20.

CHRISTIAN WITCHEY, St. Vincent’s — St. Clairsville graduate had a big day punting. He had an average of 42.9 yards per kick on eight punts. He had a long of 67 yards and dropped one inside the 20.

VON WOODING, Oberlin — Sophomore from Linsly posted 8 tackles in last week’s game.

HAYDEN GAUS, Kenyon College — Linsly graduate had three tackles and broke up two passes in last week’s game.

AUSTIN CURNES, Washington & Jefferson — Wheeling Park graduate started once again at left guard for the Presidents.

CROSS COUNTRY

MEGAN BATEMAN, California, Pa. — Union Local graduate will be one of the Vulcans at the line in the NCAA Regional meet slated for Saturday. She was the lone freshman chosen to take part in the meet.

GOLF

THADD OBECNY, Coastal Carolina — Wheeling native, who is ranked 97th in the country, finished tied for 69th in an event at Kiawa earlier this week. He posted rounds of 81, 80 and 79.

SETH VANNOY, Alderson-Broaddus — St. Clairsville product tied for 13th in the Battlers’ final fall event. Included in his score was a final round of 72, which was the best in the field.

ISAAC CURTIS, Alderson-Broaddus — River graduate finished the Music City Invite, which was held in Gallatin, Tn., with a 178.

SWIMMING

MICHAEL EATON, Ohio State — St. Clairsville product finished third in the 100 breaststroke during a dual meet with Kenyon last weekend. He was also part of the second-place 200 medley relay team.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

JENSEN CARETTI, Ohio State — River graduate scored 2 points, blocked four shots and grabbed three rebounds in 19 minutes of action in the Buckeyes’ exhibition victory against reigning Division II national champion Ashland.

ANNA DEFILIPPO, Cedarville — St. Clairsville graduate saw action in her team’s victory over Penn State in an exhibition game last weekend.

MARISSA ROSE, Point Park — St. John Central graduate recorded two points, a rebound and an assist in a win over Michigan Dearborn.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

CHASE HARLER, West Virginia — Wheeling Central product saw 24 minutes of action, scored six points and passed out three assists in an exhibition win over Albany.

LOGAN ROUTT, West Virginia — Cameron product played 18 minutes, scored a point, grabbed six rebounds and blocked a shot in the game with Albany.

PHIL BLEDSOE, Marshall — Wheeling Park graduate played nine minutes and scored three points in the Thundering Herd exhibition game.

Staskey can be reached via email at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com or at twitter.com/TLSportsSeth