Photo/LAUREN FLORENCE ST. CLAIRSVILLE’S Gavin Schoolcraft looks for running room during last week’s game against Morgan.

With each passing game in the Ohio football playoffs, the games only get tougher and tougher.

St. Clairsville head coach Brett McLean has been around the Ohio football playoff scene plenty long enough to have a firm grip on that.

He and his coaching staff are spending this week preparing their 9-2 Red Devils for the next challenge that comes in the form of Columbus Bishop Ready in a Division IV, Region 15 quarterfinal game, which will be played Friday night at 7 at Red Devil Stadium.

“They are what they should be at this point,” McLean said of the challenge that the 7-3 Silver Knights are bringing east to Belmont County. “In Week 12, there’s nowhere to hide from anyone because you know you’re going to be playing a really good team.”

While St. Clairsville was taking care of its business, 40-20, against Morgan at home last Friday, Ready went across town and humbled eighth-seeded Marion Franklin, 50-12.

“We had a lot of kids playing in their first playoff game last week, so getting them the chance to understand the climate of a playoff game and everything that comes with it was big,” McLean said. “I thought we grew up some and we hope that will pay off as we play this week.”

The winner of Friday’s tilt will advance to the regional semifinal to take on the winner of Indian Valley and Gallia Academy. That game will be played on Saturday, Nov. 12 at a site to be determined by the OHSAA.

There will be no chatter about anyone other than the Silver Knights this week around the Red Devils’ fieldhouse, however.

“We’re focusing on valuing the football and finding ways to get stops,” McLean said. “These are anxiety-laden games because you know you’re playing a really good opponent. We have to value the football and avoid turnovers.”

On the defensive side, the Red Devils are preparing for a run-first, but fairly balanced Ready offense.

Brian Fitzsimmons leads the rushing attack with better than 1,300 yards. He’s scoring off a 125-yard and multiple-touchdown performance last week.

Junior Kentrell Rinehart also surpassed the century mark, finishing with 114 yards and two touchdowns last week. Complementing those backs was sophomore Anthony Campbell, who had more than 50 yards.

The Ready quarterback is Kaleb Schaffer, who stands 6-6, triggers the attack. He likes to throw to his 6-3 brother, sophomore, Kayden Schaffer.

“The running back looks really, really good and the quarterback can wing it around,” McLean said. “We need to be able to play complementary football and it’ll be crucial that our kids are mentally prepared to play.”

Defensively, Ready received strong efforts from Kasen Abbott, junior J.D. Catena and sophomore Preston Tirey. Catena is also a factor in the return game and at receiver.

“They really fly to the ball (defensively),” McLean said. “They’re aggressive and they the move the front and back half a lot. They’re creating confusion and illusions through their schemes, so we need to be sound up front. They probably use more pre-snap movement than we’ve seen all year, so that’ll be something we have to be ready for.”

Offensively, the Red Devils have been pretty balanced, but certainly lean to the run first. Senior Jacob Walker went over the 1,000-yard mark last week and has 1,116 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Andrew Vera had an efficient game last week against the Raiders. For the season, he’s completed 77 of 142 passes for 1,346 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 734 yards and 10 more scores.

When the Devils pass, juniors Cole Thoburn (25-366-5td), Colt Westlake (14-234-3td) and sophomore Tyson Pastor (13-301-2td) are the top targets.