COMING HOME — The Big Red football team is back at Harding Stadium this week after getting a big win on the road last Friday. – Andrew
Grimm
STEUBENVILLE — Riding a four-game win streak, Steubenville will need to go through Wheeling the next couple of weeks in order to keep things rolling.
The 4-1 Big Red, ranked sixth in this week’s Ohio AP Division IV poll and third in the Region 15 computer standings, begins its Ohio County “two step” Friday when it welcomes Wheeling Park to Harding Stadium.
The opening kick for the 17th all-time meeting (Steubenville holds a commanding 16-1 series lead) between the Ohio Valley powers is set for 7 p.m.
In 2022, Big Red put together an eye-popping offensive performance, compiling 682 yards of offense (488 on the ground and 194 via the air) in thumping the Patriots 69-28. Reno Saccoccia’s squad turned all 10 of its possession into touchdown and had four scoring plays of 60 yards or more.
Park, ranked 15th in this week’s WVSSAC Class AAA playoff ratings, is 2-1 following a hard to swallow 17-14 loss to University. The Hawks won it with a 35-yaard walk-off field goal. The Patriots entered the fourth quarter of that contest clinging to a 14-7 lead.
Wheeling Park had its Week 3 game with Pittsburgh Perry canceled when it was discovered that the Commodores had overscheduled. The Patriots thumped Hedgesville in their opener 56-0 then took down Pittsburgh Brashear 49-8.
Since dropping its opener to unbeaten Youngstown Ursuline, Steubenville, which will face Linsly next week at West Liberty, has taken down New Philadelphia (29-14), Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (21-14), Pittsburgh USO (43-20) and Dover (34-14). Offensively, Big Red is averaging 31 points per game and allowing 19.
Tailback Savier Faulks, returning to the field after missing two weeks, paced Big Red’s offense against Dover, going for 111 yards on 21 touches. He made two trips to the end zone. Sophomore Ca’Juan Bryant added 55 yards on seven totes.
Senior quarterback Aydan Manning put together a solid outing, completing 18 of his 23 passing attempts for 197 yards Senior Isaac Hill hauled in 12 Manning tosses for 128 yards and a touchdown.
In three games, Faulks has rushed for 411 yards on 66 carries and scored six times. Manning has thrown for 735 yards (he’s completed 64 of his 104 attempts) and four touchdowns. Hill is the top receiver with 34 grabs for 445 yards and three scores.
“I was happy with the way we came together at Dover and played,” Saccoccia said. “The thing I was most happy about was it was a complete team effort — offense, defense and special teams. A lot of kids pulled through. It’s always good when you have a lot of kids pulling through and taking part in a win instead of just having one or two people.
“It was a good team win. A lot of different people contributed to that victory.”
Junior Aiden Davis, in his first year as Park’s starting signal caller, has put up some impressive numbers. He is completing 82 percent of his passes (40 for 49) good for 640 yards and nine TDs. He has yet to throw an interception. In the University loss, A. Davis finished with 252 passing yards and two touchdowns.
His favorite receiver is senior Mykel Davis, nine grabs for 243 yards and four scores. Sophomore Brennan Wack has eight receptions. M. Davis had five catches for 124 yards and two scores against University.
Park has thrown for 642 yards and rushed for 261. Sophomore Amare Johnson leads the Patriots in rushing yards with 140. He is averaging 8.2 yards a carry.
“Wheeling Park is a good football team,” said Saccoccia. “They run the ball well and they throw it well.
“They have a good offensive line coach and a good defensive coordinator. The entire Park coaching staff does a really good job of coaching the kids up.”
Saccoccia noted his message to the Big Red this week centers on “building off the Dover win.”
“I want our guys to understand it takes a team effort,” he said. “The quarterback doesn’t throw the ball without protection from the offensive line and receivers don’t receive the ball without a good throw from the quarterback. You need your offensive players to do the job at all three levels.
“Defensively, our secondary has improved because our pass rush is improving. Our linebackers are improving because our front three guys are improving. It’s taking five guys to block three. In football, you have to rely on your teammates to help you be successful.”
