Indian Creek’s Ian Starkey tries to stay in bounds along the sideline against St. Clairsville on Friday night. The Redskins fell, 28-21, in overtime. The loss is Creek’s first of the season as it is now 8-1 going into the Route 43 Bowl against Edison next week. (Photo by Michael D. McElwain)

WINTERSVILLE — Indian Creek fought hard to keep its dream of an undefeated season alive Friday night, storming back from a big deficit to force overtime.

Unfortunately for the Redskins, things did not go their way in OT.

After letting a three-score lead get away in the second half, visiting St. Clairsville recovered to emerge with a 28-21 victory in a thriller at Kettlewell Stadium.

The Red Devils improve to 6-3 on the season, while Creek suffered its first defeat in falling to 8-1.

Ollie Muhly ran for a 1-yard score on third and goal for St. C, a score that proved to be the winning one after the Red Devils defense stopped Creek on a fourth down play on their turn with the football.

Muhly had 90 yards and a pair of scores in the game.

St. C opened a 14-0 lead early in the game and led 21-0 early in the third quarter before the Redskins came fighting back.

Gavin Pownall had a 19-yard scoring run late in the third quarter and a 4-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter to get Creek back within seven.

The Red Devils then fumbled to end a drive that was threatening to put the game away and instead set up Creek to march 12 plays and 82 yards the other way to tie the game on a Bruce Mazar 3-yard scoring run with two minutes left in the game, setting up the overtime finish.

Creek racked up 301 yards on the ground in the loss, led by 136 from Mazar on 21 carries. He also caught three passes for another 54 yards. Pownall rushed for 37 and the two scores on nine totes while hauling in another four catches for 38 yards.

Quarterback Ian Starkey went 11 of 23 for 123 yards, adding another 119 yards on 16 carries.

Creek had 424 yards of offense on the night, while St. C totaled 341.

St. C QB Sam McLean threw for 111 yards and a score in going 10 of 16 while rushing for a team high 94 yards on nine carries.

Indian Creek moved to fifth place in the Division IV, Region 15 standings according to Joe Eitel’s unofficial rankings Friday night. The top four earn a first round bye and the top eight host at least one playoff game. Creek, according to Eitel, has already clinched a playoff spot.

The Redskins will look to bounce back next Friday when they pay a visit to rival Edison in the annual Route 43 Bowl to end the regular season, a game that will have seeding implications for both sides.