Photo by Lauren Florence St. Clairsville’s Brady Schafer looks to elude the Marion-Franklin defense on a seven-yard touchdown run Friday.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — It was a given that the Red Devils were going to advance in the OHSAA Division IV Region 15 playoffs Friday night.

The question was would it be homestanding and 8-2 St. Clairsville or red-hot and explosive Marion-Franklin which brought a six-game winning streak to Belmont County after dropping its first four.

St. Clairsville’s playoff-regular charges of veteran coach Brett McLean, in the post-season party for the 16th time in the last 18 seasons, impressed in all phases in pocketing a 44-12 mercy-rule triumph.

The win propels the sixth-seeded Red Devils into a regional quarterfinal road matchup against Columbus Bishop Hartley.

The third-seeded Hawks advanced without having to play as Philo was unable to suit up a competitive team due to a lack of healthy bodies.

Marion-Franklin, which bows out at 6-5 against a demanding schedule, was making its 16th playoff appearance.

“Our guys came focused and ready to play,” McLean said. “We got off to the perfect start, driving for a touchdown on our first possession then getting a nice defensive stand. We came back with another scoring drive on our next possession.

“That gave us the momentum we needed. They have a lot of big-play weapons but we were able to contain them for the most part,” he added. “They are a quality team so this is a nice way to get the post-season started.”

St. Clairsville gained control immediately.

The hosts took the opening kickoff and marched 71 yards in eight plays, capped by a four-yard burst by junior dynamo Dino Burk.

Makenna Booth added the PAT.

St. Clairsville forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession. After the Marion punt, the hosts set up shop at their own 28.

McLean’s charges put together an 11-play march to paydirt. The key play being a fake punt with Gavin Schoolcraft taking the short snap and scampering for seven yards and a first down. Burk again capped the drive, this time from 15 yards out with 1:29 showing in the opening period. Booth’s PAT made it a 14-0 lighting.

St. Clairsville used another elongated drive to stretch its lead. After a Marion punt, the hosts used nine plays to cover 77 yards with Schoolcraft scoring on a 12-yard tackle-bursting run up the gut. Booth made it 21-0 with 5:39 left in the opening half.

Marion flashed some of its impressive speed late in the half when quarterback Terry Black connected with Kenyen Womick on a 56-yard hookup. That set up a six-yard scoring run by Black.

St. Clairsville closed out its impressive first half by staging a quick-striking drive which yielded a 26-yard Parker Galloway field goal for a 24-6 advantage.

Marion made matters somewhat interesting by scoring on its initial possession of the second half, again making the most of its blazing speed. Black and Dwayne Galloway, who has numerous D-I offers, teamed up for an 81-yard aerial score. The run for the bonus points failed.

It was all St. Clairsville after that.

The hosts recovered a Marion fumble at the visitors’ 23. Two plays later, Schoolcraft scored from the two. Booth’s PAT made it 31-12.

After a Marion punt, the score mushroomed to 38-12 as junior quarterback Brady Schafer, who enjoyed a fine outing, rolled in from the seven. Senior Jacob Meager boomed the PAT for a 38-12 upper hand.

Sophomore Ollie Muhly dropped the curtain on the St. Clairsville scoring via a 25-yard gallop.

“We had nice offensive balance. Brady acquitted himself very well in his first post-season start,” McLean said. “Defensively we did a lot of good things and limited their big plays.”

St. Clairsville rushed for 285 stripes. Burk led the way with 89 yards, one more than Schoolcraft while Muhly added 73.

Schafer was sharp, completing 9-of-16 throws for 151 yards. He targeted five different receivers.

Marion threw for 158 yards, 137 coming on two completions, while rushing for 102.

“We know what Bishop Hartley is all about,” McLean added. “They have a great program and we got to go to their place.”