Photo/KRISTIN MAZGAJ ST. CLAIRSVILLE quarterback Drew Sefsick carries a Cambridge defender into the end zone as Colt Westlake (9) celebrates. Pictured at left is senior offensive lineman Avery Henry. The Red Devils cruised to a victory and capped a 9-1 season, an OVAC title and a Buckeye 8 crown.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Closing out another sparkling regular season in style….such was the case with the St. Clairsville Red Devils Friday night.

Coach Brett McLean’s potent charges dismantled a solid Cambridge outfit by a 55-28 count.

In the process, St. Clairsville put the finishing touches on a 9-1 campaign, the lone blemish coming at the hands of Wheeling Park. Along the way, the Red Devils captured another OVAC 4A title and nailed down a Division IV Region 15 playoff home game.

The OVAC crown is the seventh for McLean, who has built a virtual juggernaut in his 20 years at the St. Clairsville helm. He has now guided the Red Devils to 14 of the Red Devils’ 17 post-season trips.

“This was the last regular season game and we wanted to play way well for our seniors, and I thought we did. You never know when your last game will be,” McLean noted. “I am also extremely excited that we got out of the game 99 percent healthy.

“I thought we executed well, especially offensively. We got big plays from several players,” he added. “It was a nice way to get ready for the second season.”

Big plays were definitely on display by the Buckeye 8 champions. St. Clairsville quarterback Drew Sefsick was the trigger for many of them.

The dual-threat senior accounted for six touchdowns on the night, three with his arm and three more with his legs. He completed 10-of-19 passes for 275 yards. Sefsick’s scoring runs covered 12, 2 and 13 stripes.

Classmate Colin Oberdick also delivered three long touchdowns for the Red Devils. He hauled in 59- and 47-yard scoring passes to go with a 43-yard punt return.

St. Clairsville built a 35-0 lead late in the first half before Cambridge, which dropped to 6-4, used an aerial circus to find paydirt.

The Red Devils scored on their second possession of the game via Sefsick’s 59-yard connection with Oberdick. Sefsick added a 13-yard scoring run to make it a 14-0 lighting after one quarter.

Senior standout Jacob Jordan scored from 16 yards out at the 8:39 lighting of the second period before Oberdick added his punt return for a 28-0 Red Devil upperhand. Sefsick teamed with Logan Shields on a 40-yard aerial touchdown to cap the hosts’ huge first half.

Sefsick started St. Clairsville’s second half scoring with a two-yard burst for a 42-7 advantage. The hosts made it a 48-21 issue early in the fourth period as Oberdick hauled in Sefsick pass, covering 47 stripes.

The Red Devils’ final touchdown came on Sefsick’s 13-yard rollout.

Cambridge received a strong effort from Caden Moore. The junior quarterback completed 26-of-35 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns.

“We entered the season with a lot of veterans players. So the expectations were high and these kids handled those expectations very well,” McLean said. “Our six captains and 12 seniors provided us with great leadership starting way back in June.

“It has been a fun season. This group is very coachable,” he continued. “I am happy and proud of what they accomplished so far.”

St. Clairsville added 158 rushing yards to complement Sefsick’s stellar passing night. Jordan led the Red Devil ground gainers with 73 stripes.

“Now it’s time for us to focus on the playoffs. We are not sure who we will be playing yet,” McLean said. “We can’t be satisfied with what we have done so far. We want to keep this going as long as possible.”