MURPHYSBORO — The Murphysboro Red Devils used a balanced attack to overcome Columbia’s one-man wrecking crew in a 41-28 first round 4A playoff game.

Red Devils’ senior running back Devon Clemons ran for more than 200 yards and scored three touchdowns, while senior quarterback Drew Caldwell threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns to lead the versatile Murphysboro attack.

On the other side, Eagles’ senior Dominic Voegele was 18-31 passing for 331 yards with three touchdowns and was his team’s leading rusher with 95 yards. Voegele also 10 tackles and booted four extra points. Rumors of him driving the bus home have not been confirmed.

Tied 14-14 late in the first half, Ethan Finke scored on a 4-yard TD run to give the Red Devils a 21-14 lead at halftime. Murphysboro then got the ball first in the second half, and Clemons ripped off a 49-yard touchdown run for a 28-14 lead.

Voegele, who has committed to Kansas to play baseball, connected with Brennan Weik for a 32-yard touchdown pass to trim the Red Devils’ lead back to 28-21, but Caldwell found Sam Herring for a 12-yard touchdowns in the final minute of the third quarter for a 35-21 lead.

The Red Devils’ defense stopped Columbia’s next possession on downs, then Clemons delivered the knockout punch, a 73-yard touchdown run.

Murphysboro improves to 8-2 and will be on the road in the second round next week regardless the opponent. Murphysboro will face the winner of Quincy Notre Dame/Macomb.

Columbia finishes the season 6-4.