LUCAS — McDonald was seeking to avenge two tough season-ending losses to Lucas last school year when the Cubs played host to the Blue Devils on Friday night in a Division VII, Region 25 semifinal at Bob Wine Field.

Unfortunately, Lucas made more big plays than McDonald and did it for a third meeting in a row, as the Blue Devils’ season ended with a 27-14 loss.

“We made some good plays early and had the momentum, but gave it right back” said McDonald coach Dan Williams, whose team finished 7-2. “That’s football, and credit to Lucas. They were state runners-up last year and obviously they have a pretty good program and things are rolling for them.”

McDonald fell to Lucas 21-20 in overtime last season in the first round of the playoffs when the Blue Devils were unable to score on a two-point conversion after scoring in the extra session. Lucas ended McDonald’s boys basketball season last year with a 47-45 win in a Division IV regional semifinal last March, before the rest of the OHSAA tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19.

On Friday night, McDonald was hurt in special teams and by Lucas’ passing game.

Ethan Sauder returned the opening kickoff 80 yards to the McDonald 8-yard line. But the Blue Devils stuffed the hosts on four downs to pick up momentum. They seized the momentum momentarily, as seven plays later, Nathan Gilligan took a handoff and raced 73 yards for a touchdown.

But the Cubs came right back after another nice kickoff return from Sauder to near midfield. On third-and-15 from its own 43, quarterback Andrew Smollen threw a middle-screen to Ethan Wallace for 52 yards. Andrew Fanello scored on a 2-yard run to tie the game.

“We gave up some big plays in the kicking game and then that big pass,” Williams said. “We stopped the run well and they’re known for running the football. But they had some big passes against us, and that screen hurt us early.”

In the middle of the second quarter, a high snap on a punt was tracked down by Dom Schadl, but he was unable to do anything and lost 14 yards.

Lucas took advantage of the short field, covering 35 yards in six plays to take a 14-7 lead on Smollen’s 20-yard pass to Sauder.

A quick three-and-out gave the hosts one more possession late in the half and Lucas went 66 yards in five plays to stake a 21-7 halftime lead when Smollen connected with Connor Harper on 20-yard pass.

The Cubs had 134 yards passing in the first half.

A promising opening drive for McDonald in the second half was thwarted when Corbin Toms intercepted a tipped Schadl pass at the Cubs’ 10-yard line.

“Their defense is very good and we knew that coming in,” Williams said. “Other than a few big plays, we never really could sustain things.”

Sauder capped the Lucas scoring when he slithered 29 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter.

McDonald got its final score when Logan Hawk found paydirt from 7 yards away with 3:41 left.

“I’m proud of the seniors and the way they finished,” Williams said. “This was their sixth playoff game and they’ve had great careers. They’re an exceptional bunch of kids.