File Photo/KRISTIN MAZGAJ ST. CLAIRSVILLE senior Will Balgo plunges into the end zone for a touchdown a couple of weeks ago at Harrison Central. Balgo and the Red Devils will gear up for a regional quarterfinal game against Vincent Warren Saturday evening at Red Devil Stadium.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — With each passing round of the Ohio football playoffs, the challenge gets a little bit tougher.

Brett McLean is well aware of that.

And the veteran St. Clairsville head coach has spent the entire week stressing that to his players as they continue preparations to host Warren Saturday evening at 7 at Red Devil Stadium in a Division IV, Region 15 quarterfinal.

“Each week you’re able to play (in the postseason), it gets a little bit spicier and the kids can sense that,” McLean said. “We knew we were in for a (good) game last week and it’s no different this week. Warren definitely has our attention because of the ability we can see on film.”

The Red Devils — the top seed in the region — earned the right to play after holding off Sparta Highland, 47-30, last week. Warren, which is an OVAC member in Class 5A, fought off John Glenn in double overtime to earn the trip to Belmont County.

“It’s kind of crazy that we’re playing another OVAC school and we don’t know each other that well,” McLean said. “It’s definitely a playoff week because we’ve been scrambling all week trying to learn as much about our opponent as we can in a short amount of time.”

The Warriors come into the game with a 7-1 record. They were seeded eighth and had to play on the opening weekend of the tournament. They drilled Columbus East, 45-0, before pulling out a come-from-behind 35-28 victory against the Lil Muskies last week.

St. Clairsville, meanwhile, appeared to be on its way to blowing out Sparta-Highland before the Scots climbed to within 10 early in the fourth.

“We have the survive and advance attitude,” McLean said. “No matter what it takes or how it gets done, the most important thing is getting the win. We got out of the game without any significant injuries, which is something we always knock on wood about.”

Though they got out of the game injury-free, the Red Devils were shorthanded going into the contest.

Through contact tracing from a positive COVID-19 case at the high school last week, St. C. was without a handful of players and their status for this week remains unclear as their quarantine continues.

“Like all teams, we’re holding our breath the same as we have each week and we definitely don’t take having the ability to play for granted,” McLean said. “There have been a lot of sleepless nights worrying about different things.”

Hoping to have all of its pieces, the Red Devils are preparing for a Warren team that is quite versatile offensively and physical on defense.

Fueling the Warriors’ attack is senior quarterback Kurt Taylor. He’s thrown for 1,603 yards and 17 touchdowns. He’s also a threat on the ground, especially in the red zone. He’s rushed for 9 touchdowns, which is the most on the team.

“Everything (Warren does) starts with (Taylor),” McLean said. “He’s a top-notch player. He makes things happen, but the guys around him are good, too. (Taylor) makes good reads, is really athletic and has a really fast release.”

When the Warriors throw, they have four players with double figure catches, but Evan Gandee is Taylor’s favorite target. He’s made 56 receptions for 931 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Other receivers in the mix are Josh Welch, Joel Chevalier and Peyten Keller. They’ve combined for 36 catches and 5 touchdowns.

Though Warren will throw it often, it’s not all about the pass. The Warriors leading rusher is Brayden Gerber with 358 yards and 4 touchdowns.

“They do things (offensively) that you’d expect from a team that has a really athletic quarterback,” McLean said. “They’ll run some empty. They’ll show some strong back sets, wing sets, use read option and they’re big up front, which allows them to do those things.”

St. Clairsville’s defense has been effective at rushing the passer this season. The Red Devils have accumulated 14 sacks with senior Reese Skaggs leading the way with seven and Logan McCort has four.

Defensively, the Warriors will have to contend with a versatile and balanced Red Devils offense that’s fueled by senior quarterback Tyler Tonkovich. He’s coming off his best passing performance — statistically — last week. For the season, he’s completed 58-of-105 throws for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns.

His top target is junior Colin Oberdick, who has developed into one of the area’s top home-run hitters. He’s caught 26 passes for 690 yards and 8 touchdowns.

On the ground, the Red Devils will rely on junior Jacob Jordan, who sits an even 700 yards for the season. He’s scored eight times. Tonkovich has rushed for 330 and junior Logan Shields has developed into a solid complement with 231 yards.

Seniors Will Balgo and Austin DaRe are also key contributors to the offensive unit.

The Warren defense is led by Keller, who is a reigning OVAC wrestling champion and a Division II state mat qualifier. He had 11 tackles last week. Dylan Keife is coming off a 14-tackle effort last week, while J.T. Rice had 11 more stops and now has a team-best 72 for the season.

“They’re stout defensively and they fly to the ball,” McLean said. “We need to be balanced and consistent on offense. We can’t be as predictable as we’ve been.”

Both teams have been solid in special teams, too.

St. Clairsville’s kicking game rests with senior Jake Bolyard, while junior Drew Sefsick is an All-Ohioan as a punter.

Warren, meanwhile, hands its kicking and punting duties to Chevalier, who had two field goals, including a 40-yarder last week, along with a 51-yard punting average.