Photo by Lauren Florence St. Clairsville seniors, from left, Dino Burk, Brody Saunders, Brady Schafer, Max Fogle and Mikey Balgo receive the Ohio Division IV, Region 15 runner up trophy following their 48-7 loss to Indian Valley Friday night at John D. Sulsberger Stadium in Zanesville.

ZANESVILLE — A defensive touchdown sparked a 27-point second quarter Friday night, allowing No. 2 Indian Valley (14-0) to pull away from No. 1 St. Clairsville (13-1).

Eric Golder’s 65-yard interception return turned a 7-0 Braves’ lead into a 14-0 advantage they would never relinquish on their way to a 48-7 thumping of the Red Devils in the Ohio Division IV, Region 15 championship game on the artificial surface at blustery John D. Sulsberger Stadium.

The victory sends Indian Valley, which has scored at least 40 points in every game this season, to the state semifinals where it will meet Cincinnati Taft, a 26-12 victory over Archbishop Kettering Alter on Friday.

“The big thing to remember is how great of a season these kids had. They played their hearts out and they played together,” veteran St. Clairsville head coach Brett McLean said. “I just told them ‘you’ll remember the good times in time. It might sting right this second, but as life goes on you’re going to look back — and high school is one of the fondest memories — and remember you won 13 games in a row.’

“Our seniors have been a part of so many big games. I hate to see them graduate, but that’s the misery in my job, I don’t get them for a 14-year career, I only get them for 4 years,” he added. “I told the young kids that they took notes from what the seniors have given them throughout their careers, so we want to keep that success train rolling. It’s not easy, though.

“Only one team leaves the playoffs with a smile on its face. It wasn’t our night out here to be smiling,” McLean continued. “We’ll have to accept that, but I’m proud to be a Red Devil.”

Golder was in the right place at the right time to make his big play. St. Clairsville quarterback Brady Schafer was hit from behind while attempting a pass by Ryker Williams at the Braves’ 26. The ball popped up in the air and right into the arms of Golder who was off to the races.

Colt James booted the second of his six PATs.

The Red Devils offense, which was non-existent most of the game, punted on their next possession and the Braves went 51 yards on half-a-dozen plays to make it 20-0. On third-and-goal from the 3, Williams boot-legged around right end, making a would-be defender miss in the backfield, before bulling into the end zone.

St. Clairsville, which was 0-for-8 on third down conversions in the first half, came up inches short on fourth-and-2 near midfield on its next series of downs. On the very next snap, Williams found a wide-open Golder in the middle of the field for a 51-yard scoring play, and it was quickly 27-0.

However, Indian Valley wasn’t finished.

St. Clairsville was forced to punt by the Braves’ ball-hawking defense. Standout tailback Grady Kinsey capped a 7-play, 71-yard march by dragging tacklers across the goal line from 4 yards. James’ PAT made it 34-0 at the half. He had a 53-yard burst to kick-start the drive.

The Braves received the second-half kickoff and drove 80 yards on 10 plays, using nearly 7-and-a-half minutes off the running clock. Kinsey found the end zone for the third time, this one from 3 yards. He had back-to-back carries of 26 and 23.

Kinsey finished with 169 yards on 18 carries and now has 2,746 on the season and 42 touchdowns.

Indian Valley’s defense got into the scoring again, this time when Kyler Vosick picked off a pass and waltzed 44 yards down the near sideline.

The Red Devils avoided a shutout when Schafer connected with Brody Saunders on a 35-yard pitch-and-catch. Tyler Harris was true on the placement.

Schafer, who was under pressure all night, finished 9 of 19 for 91 yards. Three receivers had two catches each. The Red Devils ran the ball 25 times for 75 yards, with Ollie Muhly leading the way with 33 stripes.