Friday night in Martins Ferry at the Dave Bruney Football Complex, where else would you rather be during football season? It was a great atmosphere for the Martins Ferry Purple Riders home opener versus the St. Clairsville Red Devils. St. Clairsville is a program that Coach Brett Mclean has built into a perennial power. Martins Ferry is a program that Coach Justin Kropka is beginning to build back into a perennial power.
As I have stated over and over again it is great to see former athletes and students we have coached and taught at the games we attend. This week was no different as I ran into St. Clairsville/ OVAC/ Purdue/ West Liberty great Dan Monteroso. It was great seeing Dan and getting to speak to him. For all his athletic accomplishments on the hard wood and football field, his greatest accomplishment is being a fine young man.
St. Clairsville scored quickly after forcing Martins Ferry to punt on their first possession. Dino Burk scored from 21 yards out, Jacob Meager nailed the PAT to give the Red Devils the early 7-0 lead. A possession later Burk scored again, this time from 41 yards away giving the Devils the 13-0 lead.
Moving onto the 2nd quarter the aerial attack struck for St. Clairsville as Brady Schafer hit Cole Thoburn (3-53 1 TD) for the touchdown. Meager hit another point after to give the Red Devils the 20-0 lead. After another Red Devil defensive stop, Burk, who finished with the evening with 5 carries 81 yards and three touchdowns, scored his last one from 2 yards out. McKenna Booth came in to kick the point after to extend the Red Devil lead to 27-0.
With the Devils backed up deep in their own territory, Schafer (8-9 178 yards 2 td’s) threw a quick screen to Gage Wolfe (2-113 1 td), who out raced the Purple Rider defense for the 88-yard touchdown reception. Another Booth PAT put the score at 34-0 late in the second quarter. The final score of the half came from a Colt Westlake 1-yard qb sneak, Booth hit her third point after to give the visitors a 41-0 lead going into the half.
As per OHSAA rules the second half started with a running clock. The Devils and the Purple Riders made substitutions throughout the shortened second half to give some youngsters playing experience. The Devils would score a couple more touchdowns, one in the third quarter and another in the fourth. Guy Vcelka scored on a 2-yard touchdown run in the 3rd quarter. The fourth quarter score came via a Sam Mclean to Kolton Furguson 82-yard touchdown pass. Parker Galloway came on to hit the PAT to make the final score 54-0. The defensive leader for the Devils on the night was Brody Saunders, who came up with 2 sacks. Another offensive leader for St. Clairsville was Ollie Muhly who finished with 108 yards rushing along with 28 kick return yards and 22 punt return yards.
St. Clairsville welcomes Zanesville for their home opener. While the Purple Riders will look to get back in the win column when Tuscarawas Catholic comes to the Dave Bruney Football Complex.
Photo Courtesy of Lauren Florence
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