Photo/LAUREN FLORENCE T. CLAIRSVILLE’S Jacob Walker runs away from Bellaire’s Brody Holt duringFriday’s game at Red Devil Stadium. The Red Devils won, 33-14.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Being able to run the ball and stop the run are two of the basic fundamentals for successful football.

St. Clairsville demonstrated its ability to do both quite well Friday night at Red Devil Stadium. Invading Bellaire, however, struggled in both departments.

Add that up and the result was a happy homecoming for the Red Devils, who posted a 33-14 victory.

“We made some adjustments at halftime and Coach (Donnie) Giffin and the rest of the offensive staff did a great job of keeping calm and and getting the ball into our running backs’ hands and they really had great nights,” St. Clairsville head coach Brett McLean explained.

Indeed.

The Red Devils established the run quite impressively on the first drive of the game when they marched 84 yards in 17 plays before senior Jacob Walker plowed into the end zone for the first of four touchdowns on the night to cap the march in which every yard was gained on the ground.

“That kind of a drive is not easy to do,” McLean said. “We didn’t shoot ourselves in the foot and the kids did a great job of executing with emotion and movement. We were clean and showed some patience, which at times isn’t easy to do.”

All told, the Red Devils rushed 50 times for 281 yards in the game.

“We can’t stop the run and we’ve not stopped it all year,” lamented Bellaire head coach Mark Bonar.

Despite the Red Devils’ success on the ground, the Big Reds went into the locker room with momentum after senior safety Ray Ray Pettigrew made a brilliant read to pick off an Andrew Vera pass and he then weaved his way through defenders and up the sideline for a 68-yard pick six. Lucas Littell’s PAT knotted the game at 7.

“I told the kids at halftime that we were fortunate to be in the game and don’t look for (St. Clairsville) to throw another pass this game,” Bonar said. “Why would they throw? If they throw the ball, it was our best chance (to win).”

Bonar’s prediction was accurate. The Red Devils didn’t throw another pass in the game. Instead, they continued to feed Walker, Gavin Schoolcraft or let quarterback Andrew Vera call his own number.

It worked to a tee.

The Red Devils took the second-half kickoff and went 80 yards in eight plays with Walker plunging in from two yards out. The PAT was wide, leaving it at 13-7.

Hard-hitting defensive end Drue Jozwiak unloaded on Big Reds quarterback Jake Heatherington from the backside, which forced a fumble that junior Marcus Bush came up with to put the Devils back in business. Six plays later, St. C. found itself with a 19-7 upper hand.

The Big Reds, who were limited to 145 yards of total offense, found some offensive rhythm on the ensuing possession and it resulted in points. Drew White scampered 30 yards for a touchdown to cap a 69-yard drive. Littell’s PAT made it 19-14.

Bellaire’s momentum was short-lived, however. Junior Cole Thoburn, who has been impressive in the return game all season, found a seam in the Big Reds’ kick coverage and was off to the races for an 85-yard touchdown. Junior kicker Jacob Meager, who drilled three more PATs, split the uprights to extend the Devils’ lead once again.

“We forced some big turnovers, got a big stop in the red zone and that (return) by Thoburn was absolutely huge,” McLean said. “Cole’s done an excellent job in the return game. He’s kind of surfaced as the season’s gone along as a big, play maker for us.”

Walker, who rushed 23 times for 148 yards, capped the scoring with a 3-yard plunge. Vera finished with 70 yards on 16 carries.

The Red Devils (5-2) will be on the road next week at Union Local.

The Big Reds (4-3), meanwhile, return to Nelson Field to take on Shadyside.