The Blue Devils advance to their first state semifinal

By Matthew Peaslee

peaslee@vindy.com

New Philadelphia

With just under five minutes remaining in the second quarter of Saturday’s Western Reserve-Shadyside Division VI, Region 21 final, Blue Devils defender Jeff Clegg intercepted an Austin Dorris pass at the 50-yard line.

At the time, it looked like a much needed momentum-securer.

Three plays later, Clegg hit Tim Cooper on a 63-yard touchdown pass for the Devils’ 21st point of the game.

After that, it turned into a laugher on the field of Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium in New Philadelphia as the Blue Devils scored 28 more in a decisive 49-7 victory over the Tigers.

The win puts them in the state semifinals for the first time in school history, where they will play New Washington Buckeye Central next Saturday at a site to be determined.

“It was just mere reaction,” Clegg said of the interception, his third of the year. “I was honestly just surprised that I got my hands on it.”

After trading a pair of scoreless drives to start the game, Reserve’s Thomas Benyo and Donnie Bolton blocked a punt giving the Devils the ball on the Shadyside 20 yard line. A four-play drive capped off by a 5-yard run from Bolton gave the Devils a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers scored on their next drive thanks to a 3-for-3, 47-yard passing performance from freshman quarterback Austin Dorris.

But, that would be it.

“Our weaknesses got exploited,” Shadyside coach Mark Holenka said. “They took it to us. They were not only physical, but they were quick when they needed to be and absolutely shut us down.”

The Devils limited the Tigers to just 111 total yards, compared to the 468 that they racked up. Also, Reserve held shifty running back Brooks Ramsey to only 19 yards.

Shadyside played without star junior quarterback Chase Kinemond. Dorris, a freshman, was intimidated by the onslaught of Devils that put pressure on him throughout the game. He was sacked three times and finished 5-for-16 passing with 79 yards and an interception. In the course of the hard-hitting contest, the Tigers had six starters knocked out of the game due to injury.

“As the hitting started, our guys played their butts off,” Reserve coach Andy Hake said. “Playing physical has been our mantra and these kids are resilient. You just hate to see guys go down like that.”

To go up 28-7 right before halftime, Tommy Marlowe got his hands on another Shadyside punt. Bolton then scooped it up, ran toward the end zone and scored.

“That one just crushed them,” Hake said.

Three of the Devils’ six TDs came through the air. Uncharacteristically, Bolton tallied just 58 yards and carried the ball just once in the second half.

That’s because the passing game was really clicking.

“Our receivers did an excellent job,” Clegg said. “They may not get as much credit as they should. If I just throw it out to them — they’ll catch it.”

Tim Cooper (82 yards), Benyo (76 yards) and Parker Warren (46 yards) all hauled in touchdown passes. Danny Rosati also added a pair of catches for 45 yards.

When Hake was handed the regional championship trophy after the game, he directed it right into the hands of his senior captains. Pointing at the whole team, he yelled, “this is all about them.”

“It’s overwhelming,” Hake added. “This isn’t what we do every day in Berlin Center. It’s special.”