Staff photo / R. Michael Semple McDonald’s Casey Miller (11) runs as Columbiana’s Cameron Conkle goes for a tackle during a game Friday in McDonald.

McDONALD — The McDonald Blue Devils honored its 100 years of history on Friday, and wanted to make this game one to remember.

McDonald piled on the points in celebration, knocking down Columbiana, 41-7.

“It’s fantastic for us,” Blue Devils coach Dan Williams said. “The whole community, the alumni guys, we had 235 guys come back and 35 coaches. It was a great event in the pregame, but it means a lot to get out here with a win. It was a big celebration this evening and the kids were excited about this evening.

“They’ve had this one circled on the calendar. They were excited to play in front of the old-timers, and just show them that they’re going to leave their mark here in the history books of McDonald football as well.”

Kyle Puckett got things started for McDonald, capping off the Blue Devils’ opening drive with a 6-yard rush to score. Just over a minute and a half later, quarterback Kyle Puckett found Josh Krumpak in the end zone from 32 yards out.

It wasn’t just a first quarter flash for McDonald. On the first play of the second frame, senior Drew Zajack bulldozed his way through the trenches on the goal line to score.

Anytime Columbiana gathered momentum, the Blue Devils were there to shut it down.

In the second quarter, the Clippers were moving the ball downfield, only for the ball to wind up in McDonald junior Preston VanMeter’s hands.

On the first play from scrimmage after the interception, Casey Miller ran the ball 18 yards to the end zone to put the Blue Devils up 27-0.

With a lot to be proud of in Friday’s game, Williams singled out the quick start.

“We got on them early,” Williams said. “That’s what we try to preach to our guys. Let’s get a quick start, and once we get a team down, force them to get out of their realm, get out of the things that they’ll do, and try to make them do some different things.”

Zajack had another score in him before the end of the first half, reaching the end zone on an 18-yard dash.

McDonald had one last score in them before the end of the half, with Miller once again getting the nod. The senior ran 8 yards into the end zone to put the Blue Devils up 41-0 at the break.

Columbiana got its first points of the night in the fourth quarter with junior Danny Mangiarelli willing his way into the end zone.

McDonald was held off the scoreboard in the second half, but still picked up the program’s 616th win.

The Clippers sit at 0-2 and are searching for their first win of the young season. They’ll set their sights on Western Reserve to get into the win column.

McDonald (2-0) looks to continue its success into Week 3 with their first road game against Grand Valley.

“I hear from just talking to people that they’re a high-tempo sort of offense. Want to get as many plays in as they can,” Williams said. “With our scheme, we’re going to slow things down and grind it out. We just want to try to keep their offense off the field. I don’t want to get into a track meet, of course. I want to try to control the clock and take time off.

“The way our defense is playing, I’d like to get up there and play hard and see what happens. I know they got some good athletes, so we’ll have our hands full for sure.”