MURPHYSBORO — Murphysboro junior running back Devon Clemons said the Red Devils coaches had been tough on the team after back to back losses to close the regular season. Clemons and company certainly responded with a 43-22 win over Macomb in a 4A first round playoff game.

Clemons rushed for more than 200 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead the Murphysboro attack. The Red Devils trailed 14-8 in the first quarter then proceeded to score the game’s next 28 points. Murphysboro led 21-14 at the half then took the opening kickoff in the third quarter and chewed up nearly half the quarter, capped by Clemons’ 2-yard touchdown.

The Bombers then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and a mad scramble ensued with Murphysboro’s Sam Herring recovering in the end zone for a touchdown. Clemons tacked on the two-point conversion as the Red Devils scored 15 points in a matter of 11 seconds to blow the game open.

Murphysboro improves to 7-3 and will now hit the road for round two against 9-1 Breese Central. The Bombers finish 6-4.