Staff photo / R. Michael Semple McDonald’s Drew Zajack falls into the end zone for a first-quarter touchdown during Friday’s game against Springfield in McDonald.

MCDONALD — The McDonald Blue Devils are celebrating 100 years of football this year, and they’re making it a memorable one. The Devils captured a share of the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Tier title by defeating Springfield at home on Friday.

The teams came into the game averaging over 60 points combined per contest. However, the defenses were the story of the night as McDonald (9-0, 5-0) remained undefeated with a 7-6 victory. The Devils also snapped a six-game losing streak against Springfield in the process.

“We’ve talked about goals,” McDonald coach Dan Williams said. ” The kids work hard and hold each other accountable. It’s a family atmosphere. The first goal is 10-0. The second is making the playoffs. It’s one goal at a time.”

McDonald got the ball first, and the Devils pounded the ball on the ground down the field for a touchdown. Senior Drew Zajack punched it in from 5 yards out, and the Devils led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.

“This has been in the making for a long time,” Zajack said. “Thanks to all of my teammates and the good lord. Our line was really blocking tonight.”

The Springfield defense forced a pair of turnovers on downs, including a sack by junior linebacker Dom Jones on a fourth-and-9, in the second quarter. Plus, freshman Michael Rogenski intercepted a pass from McDonald quarterback Kyle Puckett.

Then, the Tigers got on the scoreboard with the help of some trickery. Quarterback Brayden Baird handed the ball off to senior Eli Wonner. Wonner ran, but pulled up and passed the ball to junior Steven Morlan for a 28-yard touchdown. The Tigers missed the extra-point, and the score was 7-6 at halftime.

Springfield (5-3, 4-1) got the ball to start the second half, but the Devils forced a punt. Zajack got a sack for the McDonald defense after Baird completed a 45-yard pass in the air.

Baird put the Devils in bad field position when he punted the ball inside the 1-yard line, and the Blue Devils were still clinging to its advantage heading to the fourth quarter.

McDonald pushed the ball to the 10-yard line, but failed to pick up a first down and punted. Springfield faced a fourth-and-3, and a pass by Baird fell incomplete.

Junior linebacker Marco Gentile forced McDonald to punt after sacking Puckett. Then, Springfield faced a third-and-12. Baird completed a 35-yard pass, but it was called back for holding and the Tigers had to punt again.

McDonald senior Casey Miller ripped off a 29-yard run up the middle. Springfield needed a stop on defense. However, Miller ran the ball three more times to pick up another first down and ice out the clock.