Correspondent photo / Michael G. Taylor McDonald’s Casey Miller (11) catches a pass for a first down during Friday’s game against Mineral Ridge.

WEATHERSFIELD — Mineral Ridge threw everything it had at McDonald, but the Blue Devils completed their first unbeaten regular season since 2018 on Friday night.

McDonald, now 10-0 with a Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Tier title and its 17th undefeated season in program history, held off the Rams 20-14 in a classic rivalry showdown at Joe Lane Sports Complex at Mineral Ridge.

“They didn’t want to lose,” McDonald head coach Dan Williams said. “They were inspired this whole year. They worked for this. This all started and originated six months ago when they were in the weight room. This senior class made a pact that they were going to go out and win every game, and so far, they’ve done that.

“I think it’s just the camaraderie of our team. It’s a special camaraderie. It’s a family atmosphere. They all take care of one another and care about one another, and that’s important.”

McDonald, a Wing-T team, had success with its passing attack throughout the night, which is something the Blue Devils have done all season long. Quarterback Kyle Puckett threw for two touchdowns and more than 200 yards.

“We’ve thrown 19 touchdowns this season, now we’ve got (21),” Williams said. “We’ve thrown the ball 10-12 times per game to keep people honest. We’ve got three good running backs as well. So we’re run-oriented, but Kyle does a great job throwing the football.”

The Blue Devils very nearly had an explosive start, as Josh Krumpak appeared to take the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. But a holding penalty negated the score and backed McDonald up inside its own 20.

Still, that didn’t stop the Blue Devils’ offense. Puckett completed two deep passes on the possession, a 37-yard completion to Krumpak, which then set up Puckett’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Perry that put McDonald up 7-0 early.

Meanwhile, Mineral Ridge did all of its damage on the ground, running the ball more than 40 times for over 250 yards, while throwing it just six times.

On the ensuing drive, on third-and-goal from the 16 after a chop-block penalty, Owen Sylak broke into space for a 16-yard touchdown run which tied the game at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter proved to be a back-and-forth affair of shared misfortune.

First, McDonald turned the ball over on downs in Rams territory. Then Mineral Ridge quarterback Ethan Daley fumbled and the ball was recovered by McDonald’s Preston VanMeter.

However, Kaden Shaffer took the ball right back for the Rams by picking off Puckett. But, Mineral Ridge wasn’t able to do much with it, as the Blue Devils’ defense forced a turnover on downs.

Sylak then got into the turnover action, taking advantage of another interception from Puckett. He returned it all the way into the red zone, which allowed the Rams to attempt a go-ahead field goal with four seconds till halftime. Yet, Braylon Cowger’s 28-yard field goal attempt bounced off the uprights as the clock struck 0:00.

“We played for a league championship. Our kids played their ass off, but gotta give credit to McDonald. They won the game,” Mineral Ridge head coach Andy Hake said. “We had opportunities. When they presented themselves, we cashed in a couple times, but a couple things went wrong here and there, and that was it. That’s just how games go. But they won, they beat us, and we’ll be back.”

McDonald got a spark to start the second half with a defensive stop, and then the Blue Devils drove down and took the lead on a 6-yard touchdown run by Casey Miller.

After the two teams exchanged punts, the Rams got a drive going and moved the ball down to the 5-yard line before turning it over on downs with 6:38 left.

The Blue Devils wanted to eat clock, but Mineral Ridge’s defense made the stop.

The Rams got the ball back with 3:41 left, needing 54 yards to tie the game. Daley almost got it all on one play, as his 45-yard run set up Landon Bingham’s 5-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14.

McDonald needed just three plays to retake the lead, however, as Krumpak got behind the Rams’ defense on a deep post route and Puckett found him for a 62-yard touchdown strike.

“We went to a trips package away from him. We thought he could get one-on-one with one of the guys outside,” Williams said. “(Krumpak) slipped inside the backside corner. Kyle Puckett — he was under pressure and he got whacked after he threw it, but he made a great throw and Krumpak ran under it. What a play, what a play. That’s a play that defines us for the season, I guess.”

With 1:41 left, Mineral Ridge had a chance to drive down and win the game on a touchdown and extra point after McDonald missed its PAT.

The Rams moved the ball to the Blue Devils’ 31-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs in the final seconds after three straight incomplete passes.

“I’m here for the long haul,” Hake said. “I’m not here for a battle, I’m here for a war. Our coaches did an awesome job with our kids, and we’re going to get ready for the playoffs now because we can’t look back.

“I’m really proud of my guys. I’m proud of the school, I’m proud of the students, fans. This was a classic battle. You can go anywhere in the country and you don’t find stuff like this. It was an all-timer, but I give (McDonald) credit.”

The Rams and Blue Devils are both positioned to make the playoffs, with McDonald vying for a first-round by as a top-four seed. The Ohio High School Athletic Association will announce the playoff pairings on Sunday.