The Blue Devils can still qualify for the Division VI playoffs.

By CHUCK HOUSTEAU

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

MCDONALD — The McDonald Blue Devils lost a chance to win the Inter Tri-County Tier Two championship outright Friday night after dropping a 14-12 decision to Wellsville at home.

The loss enabled Leetonia to gain a share of the title with the Blue Devils (8-2, 6-1) and could jeopardize McDonald’s playoff hopes for postseason play.

McDonald entered week 10 in the sixth spot of Division VI, Region 21 and would have been guaranteed a spot with a victory.

“We didn’t play our best football tonight,” said McDonald coach Dan Williams. “If we held them to 14 we expected to win.

“We figured we could score in the 20s but give Wellsville credit. They came ready to play tonight and had a good game plan to stop us.”

Wellsville (5-5, 4-3) used a huge offensive and defensive line to counter the speed and quickness of McDonald and controlled the line of scrimmage.

“I couldn’t be more proud of a bunch of kids,” said Wellsville coach Dave Skinner. “We took a ride from little Wellsville up here to Youngstown and we knew what we were in for and the kids just responded.

“I’m downright speechless right now.”

The Tigers outgained the Blue Devils 252-146 in total yards and also forced McDonald into five turnovers.

Still the Blue Devils had some golden opportunities to win the game in the second half.

Trailing 14-6 in the third period, Wellsville elected to try for first downs on fourth down in their own territory on two consecutive possessions.

McDonald’s defense responded to stop the Tigers and took control the first time at midfield.

The Blue Devils quarterback Matt Krumpak then threw an interception that halted a potential scoring drive.

Again McDonald stopped the Tigers this time at the Wellsville 38.

The stop seemed to inspire the sluggish McDonald offense and the Blue Devils covered the 38 yards in seven runs before Joe Witkoski scored from 4 yards out.

A pass play on the two-point conversion try failed and the Blue Devils trailed 14-12.

In the fourth period, McDonald forced a punt and Kirk Manofsky returned it 34 yards to the Wellsville 30 but McDonald turned it over on a fumble three plays later.

“We played a great second half but turnovers killed us,” Williams said. “Those hurt in a game like this.”

Wellsville then ran off over seven minutes of the clock on 12-play, 47-yard drive that ended on downs deep in McDonald territory.

The Tigers were led by the running tandem of sophomore Bubba Dowling, who rushed for 99 yards on 25 carries, and Jeff Hanselman, who added 59 on 17 attempts.

The Blue Devils had two last possessions in the final three minutes but could not move the football.

Krumpak completed 8-of-19 passes for 71 yards and three interceptions.

“It’s disappointing but hopefully we will still get in the playoffs and get another chance,” Williams said. “We still got a share of the championship.

“Our kids can be real proud of what they accomplished this year.”

McDonald’s Alex Sampson went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season after gaining 62 yards on 14 carries.