–– Story by Dave Wilson, highlights by Teran Malone
ST. MARYS, W.Va. – There was no shortage of offense Sunday evening at Bill Hanlin Stadium as St.Marys (9-1) and Midland Trail (3-2) combined to produce 101 points and more than 900 yards of offense. However, it was St. Marys that made a pair of critical defensive stops in the second half that propelled the Blue Devils the 52-49 win.
“We hadn’t played ball in over half a month and that was pretty special to get back on the field,” commented St. Marys Coach Jodi Mote, whose team had not played since Oct. 30. The Blue Devils final regular season game was cancelled due to COVID-19 issues with its scheduled opponent and last week’s opening round playoff game with Wheeling Central was cancelled.
The Blue Devils looked a little rusty on their opening possession, turning the ball over on an interception, but after that the St. Marys offense scored nearly every time it possessed the football. Senior running back Trey Moss led the way for St. Marys with 200 yards rushing on 21 carries and two touchdowns. Quarterback Brennen Boron accounted for four Blue Devil touchdowns, rushing for a pair while throwing for two more. Boron rushed for 100 yards on 15 touches and completed 4-of-9 pass attempts for 94 yards.
“The guys just did a nice job of executing on offense,” said Mote.
Midland Trail scored almost as often as St. Marys did, as neither defense put up much resistance throughout the game. Midland Trail Quarterback Christopher Vines tried to singlehandedly will his team to a win, rushing for 195 yards and four touchdowns. Aden Isaacs provided the other two scores for Midland trail with a five-yard run and on an 11-yard reception.
“He [Vines] was very athletic. I thought Aden [Isaacs] was athletic. It was just a great game for a football fan,” assessed Mote.
St. Marys and Midland Trail traded scores back and forth in the first half. With the game tied 21-21 and time running out in the half, St. Marys faced a 4th down at the Midland Trail 14-yard line. Boron connected with Darrien Bortney for a touchdown pass as time expired in the second quarter giving St. Marys a 28-21 lead at the half.
Although the Blue Devils were forced to punt on the opening possession of the second half, the defense came up with a rare stop, sacking Midland Trail in the end zone for a safety, and pushing the lead out to 30-21. After the free kick, St. Marys set up shop on the Midland Trail 18-yard line and on the next play, Cyle West scampered 18 yards for a touchdown, giving the Blue Devils a 36-21 lead.
Despite a night with an abundance of offense, the deficit would prove too much for Midland Trail overcome as the two teams traded scores again. Midland got momentum back on a 56-yard touchdown run by Vines on the ensuing possession but St. Marys answered with a 60-yard touchdown pass to wide open Jason Clayton to push its lead to 43-28 with 6:27 to go in the third quarter.
Vines broke free again in the third quarter for a 44-yard touchdown run to close the deficit to 43-35. St. Marys fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving the ball back to Midland Trail deep inside their own territory. Vines quickly went to work and scored on a 28-yard touchdown run. The extra point made it a one point ball game at 43-42.
St. Marys gave itself some breathing room on the next drive when Tre Moss scored his third touchdown of the night, a 28-yard scoring run to stretch the lead back 59-42.
The Blue Devils finally got a defensive stand forcing a punt with 21 second to go in the third quarter. St. Marys was able to add to its lead with a 28-yard field goal by senior Jonathan Morrison with 10:52 to go i the game. The additional three points turned out to be much needed insurance as Midland Trail didn’t go away.
St. Marys’ defense finally got the stop it needed late in the fourth quarter, sacking Vines on fourth down conversion attempt inside St. Marys territory. However, Midland Trail came up with stop of its own, forcing a punt that gave its offense a chance.
Robert Ruffner ripped off a 76-yard run that set up a four-yard touchdown run with 4:25 left to pull Midland Trail to within 52-49.
However, St. Marys never gave the football back. The Blue Devils chewed off the final 4:25 to secure its spot in the Class A Semifinals next week.
“For a football fan that was a great game. Both defenses had a hard time and you just have to play four quarters and I thought our kids fought and their kids fought,” Mote stated. “I felt like our special teams play was good and it was just a good football game.”
The Blue Devils will face Pendleton County next week. St. Marys is making its eighth appearance in the Class A Semifinals and seventh under Mote. St. Marys advanced to the Class A State Championship Game in 2014, 2016, and 2017, winning its first state title in 2016.