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Devils’ playoff road is difficult

Mogadore, Kirtland, Norwayne and Rootstown — that’s the top four in Division VI, Region 21 of the Ohio High School Athletic Association football alignment.

“There was no easy draw in that whole region,” McDonald coach Dan Williams said.

On Friday, the fifth-seeded Blue Devils (10-0) visit fourth-seeded Rootstown (9-1) at 7 p.m. at Rootstown Rover Stadium. Rootstown was the Region 21 runner-up last season, losing to Mogadore, 17-7.

McDonald has gone to a spread offense this year, but has remained steadfast to its running game with senior feature back Alex Cintron. He leads the Blue Devils with 1,696 yards on 151 carries and 29 touchdowns. He only has one fumble.

Josh Celli, the senior quarterback, is the other part of the McDonald offensive equation with 100 carries for 1,080 yards.

Celli is 32 of 61 passing for 637 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Cameron Tucker is his favorite target with 16 catches for 361 yards and five scores.

“That’s why I give my line so much credit because people know we’re going to run,” Williams said. “They’re still able to execute the blocks up front.

“We’re hopefully, weather permitting, going to a couple quick screens and a few throwing the ball outside the box to keep them honest. I know I’ve said that all year, but we haven’t had to.

“That’s our game plan going into most games. People are going to stop us from tackle to tackle, we’ve got to get the ball on the perimeter to (Dominic) Shadl, Tucker and some of those guys out there.”

The Rovers have about eight seniors returners on offense and eight on defense, led by leading rusher Gavin Schlabauch, quarterback Scott Steger and lineman Ryan Boyle. Schlabauch is a junior.

“They’re a really solid football team,” Williams said.

McDonald hopes to utilize its entire offense on Friday, depending on the weather. Rootstown athletic director Keith Waesch said, as of Wednesday afternoon, there are no plans to move the game to an alternate site.

“I worry about the conditions if either side will be able to throw the football,” Williams said.

Williams has faith in Celli in the pocket, even though he was 0 of 1 against Western Reserve and he and Cintron comprised the entire offense through the run to handle its rival in Week 9.

“That’s the shame of it all,” Williams said. “I’m a run-oriented guy in a spread offense. We really haven’t had to throw the ball. We work it like crazy in practice. I’m confident in him executing quick, short throws off of run fakes and different things like that.”

This is the first time McDonald has been in the postseason since 2014 when it lost to Mogadore in Week 11. It’s the first time any of these players have experienced anything past Week 10.

“They’ve stuck together,” Williams said. “They’ve put their minds to it. They did whatever it took to get to the playoffs.”

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