By Matthew peaslee

mpeaslee@vindy.com

McDonald

Western Reserve vs. McDonald

Gallery

Team

McDonald

Record	Div.	Conf.
8/2	Div. VI	Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference

Team

Western Reserve

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

The last time the Western Reserve football team beat McDonald, the Berlin Wall still stood, Ronald Reagan was president and gas cost a mere $1.92.

How times have changed.

With its 35-7 victory at McDonald, WR finally defeated the “other” Blue Devils after 24 tries over the past 22 years.

Coach Andy Hake would take that over a cheap fill up, any day.

“Everybody had a hand in this one,” the third-year coach said after a bucket of ice cold water was poured on him. “From the kids themselves, to the coaches, to their families and teachers this was a win years in the making.”

You can say that again, coach.

“Heck, the Soviet Union was together the last time we beat these guys,” Hake said. “We’re just happy that we could see it through the whole season and finish 10-0.”

A goal line stand by McDonald in the final second of last year’s first-round playoff game was etched in the memory of everyone on the Reserve sidelines. A touchdown there would have won it, but McDonald prevailed 13-7.

“That’s all I’ve been thinking about,” said running back Donnie Bolton. “It’s haunted us all this time and we came out and redeemed ourselves.”

Quarterback Jeff Clegg didn’t only want to get the bad taste out of his mouth. This win, and the past nine, were refreshing for the entire program.

“This is a great season for us and everybody that’s put on a Blue Devil uniform,” Clegg said. “It was for the past 22 years of Western Reserve football that had problems beating these guys. It was all for them.”

Reserve marched 74 yards on four plays to strike within two minutes after Tommy Marlowe rumbled for a 40-yard score. Looking to score on its next possession, Western Reserve fumbled and McDonald had momentum.

“We had to match their intensity and in the beginning we did,” McDonald coach Dan Williams said. “I’m proud of how we attacked them early and I told our guys that if we brought that same intensity all year, we would’ve had a few more wins.”

While Western Reserve scored its next 28 unanswered, two touchdowns came on just two plays.

Bolton unleashed a 55-yard scoring run at the 4:41 mark of the second quarter, then three minutes later, Clegg connected with Thomas Benyo on a 72-yard pitch and catch touchdown.

“We fell victim to big plays,” Williams said. “But, I guess that’s why they say ‘streaks were meant to be broken.’”

Clegg threw for two more touchdowns and finished 6-for-8 with 193 yards.

“He’s a great quarterback and an even better leader,” Bolton, who tallied 160 yards said.

McDonald’s Stephen Vidman broke free from the impending shutout with a touchdown run to start the fourth quarter. He collected 125 yards on the ground.