Team

Western Reserve

Record	Div.	Conf.
8/3	Div. VII	Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference

Team

Southern Local

Record	Div.	Conf.
1/2	Div. VI	Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference

By Lowell Spencer

sports@vindy.com

SALINEVILLE

In a marquee game between the Inter Tri-County League’s unbeaten Tier Two teams, it was Western Reserve which emerged as the front-runner.

Led by the offensive line of Adam Badget, Micah Marra, Tyler Powell, Bryan Deal, and Aaron Halls, the Blue Devils turned in a convincing 48-3 win at Southern.

Western Reserve (7-0, 4-0 ITL) was able to take advantage of the quarterback Jeff Clegg and running back Donnie Bolton as they combined for five touchdowns.

“Our line is awesome. They did such a great job, beating guys up. Of course we have these backs barreling through,” said Western Reserve coach Andy Hake.

The Blue Devils took full advantage of every mistake the Indians made and never let up. Midway through the first quarter Southern fumbled at their own 17-yard line which was recovered by Devils’ linebacker Danny Zilke. Three plays later Clegg hit Tim Cooper in the left corner of the end zone from 8 yards out for a 7-0 lead.

The Devils added to their lead on their next possession when they quickly covered 67-yards on four plays as Bolton went the final 40 yards. On the play Bolton ran off right tackle through a huge whole and was never touched.

“I owe it all to my line, I just happen to carry the ball. They open up the holes and I get it done. I don’t think I even got touched,” Bolton said.

On the Indians’ next two possessions they turned the ball over. First was an interception by the Blue Devils’ Thomas Benyo, and the second was a fumble recovery by Jon Timko. Once again the Devils capitalized on the miscues as Clegg dashed in for a 21-yard score, and then Clegg hit Benyo on a 17-yard pass to give the Devils a 28-0 lead at halftime.

The second half provided long but unsuccessful drives by Southern, and then quick scoring plays by the Devils.

“We really played good tonight. That’s a good football team [Southern], that team can win some playoff games,” said Hake. “They’re a good team. We just came out really focused tonight.”

Asked if the Blue Devils are the number two team in the state, Southern coach Mike Skinjar said, “Absolutely. I’ll tell you right now, speaking of Coach Hake’s football team, they are well coached, and the players are physical. Their offensive line is one of the best I have ever seen.”