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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- The Indian Creek football team has won four out if its last five games and the Redskins are looking to continue this week against a familiar foe, however, this week's opponent – St. Clairsville – has had Indian Creek's number for many years.
The two Buckeye 8 rivals will renew their rivalry when the Redskins take on the Red Devils at 7:30 p.m. Friday night down at Red Devil Stadium.
"They have truly been a thorn in my side," Indian Creek (5-3) head coach Andrew Connor said. "St. Clairsville is well coached. I have know Coach (Brett) McLean for a long time. We have coached against each other in more than 20 games. St. Clairsville has a really-good football program. They are going to be a very-difficult test for us."
Indian Creek enters this week's game fresh off a 27-0 victory against Beaver Local last Friday night on the road. The Redskins played a strong defensive games against the Beavers.
"It was good night for our defense," Indian Creek (5-3) Connor said. "They did what we asked them to do. We got 11 hats to the football. We didn't give up the big play. We were fundamentally sound. The kids played lights out. We are going to need to do that to beat good football teams."
The Red Devils (3-5) also picked up win last week as St. Clairsville defeated Brooke, 14-13, at home. The boys from Belmont County lost their first five games of the season, however, the Red Devils have rebounded and won three-straight ballgames.
"They were really banged up early in the year," Connor said. "They have gotten a lot of kids back. They have been able to build depth because they had to play a lot of younger kids early. They have got their full complement back, and they have gotten better as a team. They have played really-good football the last three or four weeks."
St. Clairsville has scored 21 or more points six times this season.
"They have two good tailbacks," Connor said. "Their quarterback is similar to our quarterback. He can make the most out of a broken play. He can throw the ball well. They make you defend the whole field. It makes it tough when you can run and pass. It makes it especially tough when a quarterback can do those things. They are physical. They want to run the football. Their offensive line has gotten better. They have a well-rounded offense. They are well coached."
Defensively, the Red Devils have allowed 28 or more points six times this season.
"They run a 4-4," Connor said. "Their kids don't make mistakes. They are in the right gaps. They get to the football. They have quick defensive ends. They are able to rush the passer. They have a good secondary. They have a good safety in (Luke) Schafer. He's being recruited as he should be. They are able to plug guys in, and they are able to do what the group before them did. They are a fundamentally sound football team."
The boys from Jefferson County know what it is going to take to leave St. Clairsville with a win.
"It is going to be a lot of the same formula as last week against Beaver," Connor said. "We are going to have to run the football. We can't turn the ball over. Last week, we did a good job of complementing our running with our passing game. Defensively, we were able to get off the field. We did not give up the big play. We played smart. We understood our assignments. We got to the ball. We were fundamentally sound. We did a good job on both sides of the ball. We are going to have to play four quarters of good football like we did against Beaver."
This game will have a big impact on the playoffs as the Redskins and Red Devils are both fighting for playoff spots, however, both teams are on the outside looking in going into this week. Indian Creek is in 13th place in the Ohio Division IV, Region 15 playoff rankings, while St. Clairsville is one spot behind the Redskins in 14th place.
St. Clairsville defeated Indian Creek, 28-21, last season in overtime on the road at Kettlewell Stadium.