BIG RED FOOTBALL 2K10

Steubenville Big Red 28

Dover Tornadoes 31

November 6th, 2010

Death Valley

The 2010 season came to a stunning end on a cold November Saturday night at the hands of the 8-2 Dover Tornadoes. Big Red had ended the Tornadoes season last year in the Regional Final in Fawcett Stadium, but this time Dover turned the tables in Steubenville.

The game started with Dover winning the toss and electing to receive, and it didn't take long for Coach Dan Ifft's team to march down the field in their pattened 5 wide spread offense. A missed sack on the second play of the game proved costly as Dover was able to move the sticks on 3rd down. The 76 yard drive ended with junior QB Derik Swinderman running it in from 5 yards out; the PAT failed.

Dover shanked the ensuing kickoff, but the ball landed behind the first line of the Big Red kickoff return unit and was recovered by the Tornadoes. The visitors didn't waste any time as Swinderman connected with Colton Zahner for a 33 yard strike, and with the PAT, made it a 13-0 Dover advantage.

Big Red was now down two scores on it's home turf without even touching the ball, but the offense responded by taking the kickoff and moving it, primarly on the ground, 76 yards for the score, which ended with a pass from senior Anthony Pierro to senior Jordon Meyer. Lucky McClurg added the PAT and the Red pulled to within 6.

The Big Red defense would again have trouble stopping Dover's spread, as Big Red's dline could get no pressure on Swinderman, but a hard hit at the 22 did force a Swinderman fumble and S.H.S. was back in business.

Jo Jo Pierro capped this 78 yard drive with a 2 yard dive to paydirt, and with Lucky's PAT the Big Red suddenly led 14-13.

As the momentum looked like it had shifted to the home team's side, the defense got the only 3 and out of the night and forced a Dover punt. Big Red was set up at the 15 yard line with the 2nd quarter winding down. Pierro would utilize a variety of receivers in moving the oval down inside the 15 as the clock reached inside of a minute. Dover came up with a huge interception though as Pierro was looking for his slot receiver in the endzone.

The Tuscarawas Countians needed little time to make Big Red pay though as they hit a long pass out to midfield, and then connected with Zahner a few times to reach the endzone. Zahner also hauled in the two point conversion, and Dover had the lead in a shocked Death Valley 21-14 at the half.

Big Red responded in the 3rd quarter by taking the opening second half kickoff and traveling 71 yards for the tying score. Jo Jo Pierro again added the TD, this time from 5 yards out, as he did most of the work on the drive.

The Dover offense picked right back up where it left off in the 1st half , this time covering 77 yards, with a key 33 yard completion to Deante Evans, to regain the lead 28-21.

Big Red would again try to answer, as the O would take it to the Dover doorstep, but was thawarted at the two as Anthony Pierro was stopped on 4th down.

The Tornadoes, despite being backed up on its goal line, would still come out in 5 wide, but this time it proved costly as the pressure forced an errant throw and Buddy Sherrell came up with the pic for the Red.

Pierro would find Shaq Petteway for the 8 yard TD pass and once again the game was knotted.

Dover would begin another lengthy drive of 63 yards, which would end with a Zack Raftner 33 yard field goal, which put the Tornadoes up 31-28 with 7:36 left on the clock.

Big Red would begin its last drive on its 27 yard line. The Red would go to it's bread and butter rushing attack to move the ball down to the Dover 20. On 3rd down and 5 however, Steubenville opted for a surprise pass play, but was sniffed out by the Dover D and Big Red was looking at a 4th and 5 to save the season. A. Pierro rolled to his left looking for receivers, but all were covered, so he attempted to run for it, but the Dover defense closed fast and wrapped him up a yard short of the first down. Just like that, the season had come to an end.

Big Red won the statistical battle, but as the saying goes, "stats are for losers".

Big Red will lose one of the best senior classes in the history of the school, but it is up to the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen to step it up for next year, which begins now.

	Big Red	Dover
Rushing	54/286 yards	12/52 yards
Passing	14/22 167 yards	26/40 336 yards
First Downs	25	19
Penalties	4/35 yards	4/23 yards
Punts	0/0	1/30
Fumbles	1-0	2-1
Interceptions	1	1
-	-	-

 

 

Steubenville Big Red 36

Tonawanda Cardinal O'Hara Hawks 0

October 29th, 2010

Death Valley

On a crisp, cold night in Death Valley the Steubenville Big Red Football Family celebrated the efforts and accomplishments of the 19 Senior members who have gave their time, effort, and blood to the program.

Big Red was looking to secure a home playoff game with a victory, and it didn't take long to set the tone. The Hawks would receive the ball and GATA would immediately make it's presence known, forcing a punt after 3 plays. Big Red sent the Punt Block team in, as they stormed the O'Hara punter, senior Josh Thompson blocked the punt out of the back of the endzone. Result: 2 points.

The Red then received the kickoff and got the show rolling. The offense mixed things up on the march, and culminated with junior LeShawn "7 Yard" Luke crashing into the east endzone for the 6 points. Lucky McClurg continued his impressive PAT performance by splitting the uprights for a 9-0 Big Red lead early in the 1st quarter.

The GATA D, which was impressive all evening, held the Hawks again, giving Big Red the ball back. The Defense is led by seniors Willie Pruitt, John Eckroth, Delshawn Woods, Dom Garay, Jesse Birden, Shaq Petteway, Shaq Dorsey, Josh Thompson, Anthony Pierro, and Jordon Meyer.

The offensive seniors got in on the act too, as seniors Matt Ogletree and Shaq Petteway were snagging passes from Anthony Pierro as Big Red matriculated the ball down the field, ending with a junior Jo Jo Pierro run to the house of 7 yards. Lucky was again true on the conversion and Big Red was up 16-0.

Thanks to the defense, which gave up zero first half first downs, Steubenville High School would put together another drive right before the half came to a close. Jo Jo Pierro would again do the honors as he received a nice block from senior Jake Linn, and squirted into the endzone from 10 yards out. After the PAT (McClurg) the Red led 23-0 heading into the Cartledge Field House.

The second half was time to get the reserves some valuable playing time and they responded with touchdowns from Dashon "Bullet" Redman of 4 yards, and with a Marcus Prather to Matt Ogletree touchdown pass of 25 yards.

The reserves also kept the shutout in tact as they limited the Hawks on the ground and snagged two interceptions...one by Tajaun Lawson, and one in the endzone by freshman Mike Jett.

Big Red will now turn it's focus to the Ohio High School Athletic Association's Division III playoffs where the Red will host an opponent to be determined on Saturday night at 7 pm.

	Big Red	O'Hara
Rushing	38/229 yards	30/52 yards
Passing	12/15 138 yards	0/8 0 yards
First Downs	16	5
Penalties	9/75 yards	4/27 yards
Punts	0/0	4/24
Fumbles	0-0	3-2
Interceptions	0	2
-	-	-

 

 

 

Steubenville Big Red 59

Buffalo St. Joseph Collegiate Marauders 39

October 22nd, 2010

Death Valley

A windy cloud-filled day gave way to a calm, clear night that was perfect for football in the steel town of Steubenville, Ohio. The Marauders of Buffalo St. Joes made the 5 hour trek south down Interstate 79 for the 10 straight year, in what has become something of a distant rivalry. St. Joes entered this year's contest with a 3-4 mark, but has showed it can put up points even in defeat. Led by former Buffalo Bill's QB Jim Kelly's nephew, Chad Kelly, the Marauders have the potential to light up the scoreboard, therefore it was important for Big Red's GATA Defense to set the tone early and often...and they did.

Big Red elected to receive and promptly moved the ball down the field on the arm of senior QB Anthony Pierro, who found senior wide receiver Shaq Petteway on the first play of the game for a big gain of 49 yards. The Red moved into the Red Zone where AP went to work again, this time hitting senior tightend Dom Garay for a diving 4 yard scoring pass play. Lucky McClurg's PAT made it 7-0 right out of the box.

GATA did their job and forced a St. Joe's punt on the initial drive by the Marauders. The snap sailed into the endzone and Big Red was rewarded with 2 points on the safety that bumped the lead to 9-0 after a few minutes of play.

The free quick was received by the Red and was quickly turned into more points as AP hit Garay again for a big gain of 32 yards. Then Shaq Dorsey plowed in from his fullback spot from the 4 yard line for the TD. Dorsey was called upon again for the conversion as AP hit him in the flat by the pylon for a 2 point conversion, which upped the lead to 17 to 0.

The GATA Defense held St. Joes again and forced another punting situation. Junior LeShawn Luke busted through and blocked the punt, which Lucky McClurg snagged off of the turf and rumbled down to the St. Joe 11 yard line. AP then looked to Shaq Petteway again for the 6 points. Lucky was true on the conversion, and Big Red led 24-0.

On Steubenville's next drive the running game took center stage as junior Jo Jo Pierro, Luke, and sophomore Dashon Redman all had nice runs. Luke would tote the pigskin over goal from the 1, and Lucky would add another PAT as Big Red was cruising 31-0.

The large lead gave Coach Saccoccia the opportunity to get a lot of the substitutes into the game and earn some valuable experience versus the St. Joes starters.

Kelly and the Marauders would go down swinging though as they got on the board twice before halftime, but that was sandwiched in between a junior Marcus Prather TD pass to Lucky McClurg of 18 yards, and he would add on his PAT to his TD, which made it a 38-15 halftime lead.

The scoring was far from over though as the second half began. The Marauders struck first as they closed the gap to 38-23 in the 3rd. Big Red was forced to insert the starters back into the game and they responded with a nice 65 yard drive that ended with Luke getting another 1 yard touchdown run, and another Lucky conversion.

St. Joes just kept on coming though as Kelly would direct another scoring drive of 69 yards, with a 3 yard pass to Nigel Davis, and then ran for the conversion, which made the score 45-31.

Big Red would answer that TD with a quick strike of it own, in the form of a 60 yard pass to Shaq Petteway, which led to an AP dive in from the one. Another PAT made it 52-31.

The Marauders weren't quite done as it took one pass play from Kelly to Davis for 61 yards, and another 2 point conversion to cut the lead to 52-39.

Big Red would then score an insurance touchdown as Luke picked up the hat-trick, and Lucky added his 8th PAT to account for the final score.

Big Red will honor the 2010 Seniors as they close out the regular season Friday Night in Death Valley vs. another Buffalo team, the Tonawanda Cardinal O'Hara Hawks.

	Big Red	St. Joe
Rushing	47/275 yards	16/106 yards
Passing	15/23 272 yards	15/28 223 yards
First Downs	28	11
Penalties	8/60 yards	5/44 yards
Punts	-	-
Fumbles	0-0	0-0
Interceptions	1	1
-	-	-

 

 

 

 

Steubenville Big Red 3

Youngstown Ursuline Irish 24

October 15th, 2010

Death Valley

As clear skies and a half-moon hung over Death Valley, a battered and bruised Big Red football team took the field to face an unbeaten Youngstown Ursuline squad. The Irish entered as the top ranked team in Ohio's Divison V, and defending back to back state champions.

Big Red won the toss and elected to defer, which set up the battle of field position that dominated the first half's action. The Big Red defense would hold the high powered Ursuline offense for much of the half, but at the same time the Irish defense was causing the SHS offense to sputter.

Big Red's defense help set up Steubenville's only points of the night as they stopped the Irish on a 4th down at their own 30 yard line. Big Red then moved the pigskin downfield mixing in the run and short passing game. A nice swing pass to junior Jo Jo Pierro from his brother, Anthony, got the Jefferson Countians into scoring position. The drive would bog down though, and Coach Saccoccia would call upon senior Hunter Naylor for a 33 yard field goal attempt. The kick was true, with plenty to spare and Big Red had the 3-0 advantage.

The lead would be short lived however as Ursuline received the short kickoff, and glided down the field on the legs of standout Akise Teague. On the drive Teague had 3 carries for 29 yards, and then hauled in a 23 yard slant pattern for a touchdown. Jeff Podolsky added the PAT and the Irish led 7-3.

Big Red refused to just run out the half though, and marched into Irish territory once again mixing in the rushing game with the pass, as the seconds ticked down. The Red advanced to the Ursuline 3 yard line, but facing a 4th down Coach Saccoccia again elected for the field goal attempt. This time the kick hooked right and another trip to the Red Zone came up empty.

The Best Band In Buckeye Land put on a fine halftime show, as they mixed in some new tunes with some old Big Red favorites.

The second half began with the wind turning colder, as Steubenville received the kickoff. Big Red knew that this drive would set the tone for the remainder of the game. Senior Shaq Petteway, who earlier in the week gave a verbal commit to West Virginia University, rushed for 17 yards out of the Wild Stallion formation to move the sticks. Big Red moved over midfield to the Ursuline 41, where the turing point of the game occured. On 4th down and 9 Big Red elected to go for it, but AP's pass was knocked down, and the Irish were fired up.

It took Ursuline six plays to move the 59 yards and pretty much put the game away, as Teague, who had 196 yards on the night, ran it in from the 2. The PAT was again added by Podolsky, and the Irish led 14-3.

Now the Irish had all the momentum and their defense was playing lights out, as they forced a 3 and out, and got the ball back at the Big Red 36. A few plays later sophomore back Tramain Thigpin would tack on 6 more via a 17 yard dash to the scoreboard endzone. The PAT was true and it was 21-3 just like that.

Ursuline's final points of the evening would come on a 25 yard field goal by Podolsky with about 3 minutes left in the game.

Big Red now has two back to back Buffalo games, St Joes next week, and O'Hara in the finale, before getting ready for playoff action.

Some interesting notes from this game:

This was the first time in 7 meetings with Ursuline that Big Red didn't enter the game undefeated.

Friday's 3 points was the lowest point total since 2002's 6-0 loss to East Liverpool in week 10.

This was the first back to back losses for Big Red since 01-02 when Big Red lost to DeSales in the playoffs, then had to forfeit to Ashtabula Lakeside after winning the 02 opener.

The last time Big Red lost back to back games in the same season was in 2000, when the Red lost to Chardon on the road, and then Chillicothe at home in weeks 3 and 4.

	Big Red	Ursuline
Rushing	33/90 yards	54/338 yards
Passing	5/17 83 yards	6/12 104 yards
First Downs	10	20
Penalties	2/15 yards	5/23 yards
Punts	6/46	2/51
Fumbles	1-1	2-1
Interceptions	0	1
-	-	-

 

 

Steubenville Big Red 7

Massillon Washington Tigers 28

October 8th, 2010

Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium

Throughout the week leading up to the game, Big Red Coach Reno Saccoccia repeatedly stated that taking care of the ball was priority number one in its trip to Massillon. While the message was there, the execution of the message was not, as Steubenville was plagued by 6 turnovers, 5 of which came at very costly times.

Coach Jason Hall set the tone for the game on Massillon's first play from scrimmage, as he had his back up quarterback, Anthony McCormick, wear the starting tailback, Alex Winters, jersey number and line up in the backfield. QB Kyle Kempt then threw a lateral to McCormick on a swing pass, who then threw a forward pass to a streaking Devin Smith down the sideline. He was almost tripped up by a diving Najee Murray, but regained his balance and went 76 yards for a shocking score that seemed to take the wind out of the Big Red sidelines and crowd. Coach Hall realized that he could not afford to let Big Red get the lead and turn it into the slugfest that it was last year, so he pulled out all of his tricks.

Big Red's first drive of the game was started at it's 22, and would feature the running of Jo Jo and Anthony Pierro, but the drive would stall at the Tiger 44. AP's punt would pin the Tigers at their own 4 yard line. The GATA D held firm though and forced a punt, which Jordon Meyer fielded at the 49.

With good field postion it looked like Big Red would be able to tie the game up, but after a 17 play drive, which took over 6 minutes off the clock, the series ended when AP's pass was picked off on 4th down at the goal line.

After the defense again got the ball back to The Red, disaster struck again, as Jo Jo Pierro coughed up the football at the SHS 37 with the half winding down. Massillon was quick to jump on the opportunity as they moved the ball into the Red Zone on the legs of their big back Kentrell Taylor, who is listed at 6 foot, 240 lbs. Taylor capped off the drive by rumbling 13 yards to paydirt as the fireworks exploded over PBTS. This was a huge momentum shifter as the Tigers, who hadn't done much besides the opening play, went to the locker room on a high.

Big Red came out in the second half with a purpose, and took the pigskin on a 63 yard, 3 play drive, with JJP making runs of 35 yards, and then 24 yards to the endzone. Lucky McClurg added the PAT and Big Red was within 7 with almost a full half to play.

Coach Hall then went back to his bag of tricks to steal the Mo back that Big Red had taken coming out of the locker room. After a lengthy delay due to an injured Tiger, Hall called the old flea-flicker, which caught the Big Red safeties napping, and just like that Smith was in the endzone again. The PAT was true, and the Tigers were up 21-7.

Undaunted, Big Red attempted one of its patented comebacks, but the hopes ended when an AP lob pass to Shaq Petteway was snagged out of the air by Massillon outside linebacker Nalbach who raced untouched down the sideline for the nail in the coffin.

There is no time to pout though, as the two time defending state champion Youngstown Ursuline Fighting Irish invade Death Valley on Friday night. The Irish enter the contest at 7-0 with only one close game all year. Big Red will need a huge effort to come away with the victory.

	Big Red	Massillon
Rushing	57/306 yards	30/125 yards
Passing	3/8 43 yards	11/19 206 yards
First Downs	11	15
Penalties	5/48 yards	3/14 yards
Punts	2/37	5/32
Fumbles	4-4	4-2
Interceptions	2	0
-	-	-

 

 

 

 

 

Steubenville Big Red 39

Wheeling Park West Virginia Patriots 0

October 1st, 2010

Death Valley

 

It was all about taking care of business Friday night in Death Valley as the hosts celebrated Homecoming 2k10, while entertaining Ohio Valley Athletic Conference rival Wheeling Park.

The contest was played under beautiful conditions as skies were clear and temperatures hovered in the low 60's at kickoff.

Senior Hunter Naylor started off the festivities by putting his toe into the pigskin and driving it into the endzone. Park would take over at their 20, and with the help of an offsides penalty, set up a 3rd and short. The GATA Defense would have none of that though, as Senior Corner Josh Thompson would slice in for the big hit.

Steubenville's offense would take over at the 34, and methodically march down the field. Jo Jo Pierro carried the mail, but Thompson would deliver it as he swept around left end for a tight-roping 10 yard TD jaunt. Lucky McClurg would punch the PAT through and Big Red was in charge 7-0.

Another kick "Naylored" into the endzone put the Patriots back at the 20. After a couple of nice plays by Park to pick up 2 first downs, the defense clamped down as Senior DT John Eckroth made his presence felt on the Park big fullback Alex Schramm.

Big Red would then have one of it's worst possessions of the season, and gave the ball right back to the Ohio Countians. Park responded with a few big pass plays and reached the Big Red 40 yard line. Junior Najee Murray would put an end to any hopes the Pats had of making it a game by plucking QB Alex Triveri's pass out of the sky and zig zagging up the field, almost breaking it, but tripped up after 40 yards.

The O got back on track with runs by Jo Jo, and a reception by Senior Tight End Dom Garay, that took the ball to the Red Zone. From there Senior QB Anthony Pierro did the honors himself on a 6 yard keeper. The conversion failed.

Naylor would put the ball to the goal line and force the Park to return it, but the special teams were up to the task and pinned WP into bad field postition. Coach Daugherty would then look to go to the air, but relentless pressure by GATA would result in a crushing blow to Triveri by Thompson, which resulted in a fumble. Junior Mike Constantin pounced on the oval in the endzone and Big Red was up 19 to notta.

The second half started with the Red receiving, and then making quick work enroute to another touchdown. Big plays were made by a Murray reception of 36 yards, and a JJP gallop of 31 yards. JJP then capped off the drive with a 1 yard effort. Lucky made it 26 to 0.

The hard working reserves then got their time to shine. The defense got a 3 and out, and then the offense, led by Junior QB Marcus Prather, executed an 80 yard drive, which ended with Dashon Redman's 27 yard run to the house. McClurg again on the XP made it a 33 point lead.

The final TD came with about 2 minutes left in the game as Redman scored again, this time from 3 yards out, and Lucky added the final point in the 39-0 victory.

Next week the Red rolls into Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, as a visitor for the first time since 1978, to take on Massillon Washington. Big Red has been to PBTS quite a bit over the last 7 years, but this time will be a bit more hostile.

	Big Red	Park
Rushing	41/237 yards	44/86 yards
Passing	10/15 120 yards	5/11 68 yards
First Downs	18	7
Penalties	4/30 yards	5/30 yards
Punts	NA	NA
Fumbles	1-0	2-1
Interceptions	1	0
-	-	-

 

 

 

Steubenville Big Red 35

Morgantown West Virginia Mohigans 7

September 25th, 2010

Death Valley

The innagural Rally In Death Valley kicked off on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm with host Big Red squaring off with the number one ranked AAA team in The Mountain State, the Morgantown High Mohigans.

Big Red set the tone from the opening kickoff as Hunter Naylor, a Senior, booted the ball deep into the endzone to set up his defense at the 20. After a quick 3 and out the Big Red offense took over and proceeded to march 40 yards, with the help of a 20 yard Anthony Pierro to Shaq Petteway pass, in 7 plays, as LeShawn "7 Yard" Luke bullied his way in from a yard out. Lucky McClurg added the PAT and the Red was off rolling.

It turned into Groundhog Day from there as Naylor would again drive the ball deep into the endzone, and Morgantown would again go 3 and out from the 20, and Big Red would start the drive with great field position. 7 Yard Luke would again find the endzone after a 65 yard drive, and McClurg's PAT made it a 14-0 margin for the Death Valley Dwellers.

The GATA D then forced a fumble around mid-field and the Red was back in business. A pair of Pierro Brothers' runs advanced the oval closer to the Mohigan goal, then A. Pierro went to the air and found his rangy tightend, Senior Blake Carroll racing into the endzone for another SHS touchdown. Lucky made it 3's a charm on the conversion and boom!....just like that it was 21 to zip.

The Mohigans would put their most threatening drive of the game against the first string defense as they moved from their 22 out to the Big Red 44, but the Red forced another fumble as Jo Jo Pierro, manning his linebacker spot, pounced on the loose pigskin to squash the threat.

It was back to the air attack, after a pair of nifty runs by Jo Jo Pierro and Josh Thompson, as AP looked to Carroll again, and found snake eyes for the pairs second TD hookup. McClurg booted another through the posts and it was 28-0.

It appeared as though the men of 420 North Forth weren't done as they used the hurry up to get into scoring position as the clock was winding down, but a Morgantown goalline stand thwarted the drive and sent the team to intermission.

Big Red would begin to sub liberally in the second half, and Morgantown would finally get on the board, after averaging nearly 50 points per game coming into the contest. The Mohigans would mix in the run and pass and move the ball 99 yards for their only points of the afternoon.

The Big Red reserves got into the scoring act late in the game as they put together a nice 46 yard drive. Dashon Redman carried the mail into the endzone from 4 yards out, and also hooked up with Marcus Prather for a 14 yard completion on the prior play. Lucky closed out the scoring with his 5th PAT of the day for the 35-7 final tally.

Big Red returns to action on the short week with the Wheeling Park Patriots coming to town. Homecoming 2010 will also take place at halftime with the winner choosing the Red rose.

 

 

 

Steubenville Big Red 14

St. Johns College DC Cadets 0

September 17th, 2010

Death Valley

Adversity either breaks you, or makes you stronger. For the Big Red football team on Friday night it chose the latter, as the Red's GATA Defense continued to shine in another shutout effort. Missing several key components, Big Red did what it had to do against a very stout Cadet brigade from the north side of the District of Columbia. St. John's featured several players that are attracting attention from the D1 recruiters, including TE/DT Kevin McReynolds, who is listed at 6'3", 304 lbs.

The game started on a perfect night for football with temperatures in the mid 60's and clear skies, and a half moon hanging down upon Death Valley. It was evident right from the get-go that defense would rule the evening as both teams' offense found the sledding rough.

Big Red kept pounding the rock, and eventually junior Jo Jo Pierro cracked it as he went off right the right side, shook a couple of tackles, then broke free into the secondary where he outraced the Cadet dbacks to find the endzone with 2:53 left in the first quarter. The 46 yard sprint brought the Reno Field @ Harding Stadium crowd alive. Hunter Naylor added the conversion and SHS was in business up 7 to zip.

From there both defenses went to work, forcing punts in a battle for field postion. Midway through the second quarter the Steubenville offense finally found a little rhythm, crossing into St. John's territory. Junior LB/FB/TB LeShawn Luke then took a handoff from his tailback spot and exploded through the middle of the Cadet D, made a cut and was gone on a nifty 45 yarder. Naylor's extra point made it 14-0 Good Guys with 4:00 left in the half.

After a very fine perfomance by The Best Band In Buckeye Land, Big Red received the second half kickoff, and had nice field position after a good return by senior Josh Thompson. But the Cadet defense was again up to the challenge, forcing a punt.

Big Red's best scoring chance of the 2nd half came after a Michael Constantini, junior DT/TE, fumble recovery setting up the O at the Cadet 35, as the 3rd quarter was winding down. Big Red would drive to the 2 yard line only to be turned away on downs.

St. John's would only threaten at the end of the game when some of the reserves were in the game, but they did their job, while earning their skulls, and kept the shutout in tact.

Steubenville will now turn its attention to the #1 team in the state of West Virginia, the Morgantown Mohigans, as they will face the Red at 1:00 pm in the first game of the inagural Rally In Death Valley. Following that contest is the defending National Champion Don Bosco Prep Ironmen vs. 10 time Ohio State Champions Cleveland St. Ignatius Wildcats. The nightcap will feature small school West Virginia power Wheeling Central Catholic Maroon Knights taking on the upstart Bridgeport Ohio Bulldogs.

	Big Red	St. Johns
Rushing	42/161 yards	30/86 yards
Passing	5/13 23 yards	7/22 91 yards
First Downs	13	7
Penalties	6/35 yards	17/120 yards
Punts	5 for 34 avg.	8 for 30 avg.
Fumbles	1-0	2-1
Interceptions	1	0
-	-	-

 

 

 

Steubenville Big Red 34

Brooke West Virginia Bruins 21

September 10th, 2010

Death Valley

Before a standing room only crowd in one of the biggest anticipated Ohio Valley Athletic Conference games in years, the Mighty Big Red throttled the Brooke Bruins on the turf of Death Valley.

When the smoke cleared The Red walked away with a 34-21 victory, in which the score masked the true domination of the home team. Through three quarters of play the GATA Defense held the Bruins highly regarded offense to a mere 47 yards of total offense, the majority of which came on a few pass plays. For the game the Bruins scraped out 44 yards on the ground, 26 yards by All State running back Ryan Lazear, and 163 through the air, most of which came against the Big Red 2nd and 3rd teamers.

As the defense was doing their thing, the offense was steadily churning out the yards via the ground attack. Junior tailback Jo Jo Pierro put in a hard nights work toting the pigskin 23 times for 121 yards and a 9 yard jaunt to paydirt. Brother Anthony chipped in with 47 on the ground and another 47 in the air, with a nice 25 yard airial to Shaq Petteway in the back right corner of the west endzone (see image). In all the Big Red offense would account for 340 yards, and four touchdowns.

The game started out as both defenses held to three and outs. On the Bruins second possession they attempted to throw a slant pass, but junior safety Najee Murray came up for the hit, and snagged the juggled ball, then proceeded to outrace the Brooke players to the scoreboard endzone. Murray would also play a hand in the first Big Red TD drive, after another Bruin 3 and out, as he had the big play of 16 yards that set up Jo Jo Pierro's aforementioned 9 yard TD run.

After a good return and a penalty the Bruins reached the SHS 24, but were turned away on downs.

Big Red's final score of the entertaining first half was set up at the Brooke 48 following a punt. A few nice rushes were peppered in before the strike to Petteway at the 3:18 mark of Q2.

Big Red received the second half kickoff and marched down the field like Sherman through Dixie, covering 70 yards, eating over half the 3rd quarter clock, and culminating in a one yard QB keeper by AP. The conversion was good by senior Hunter Naylor, and Big Red was in command at 28 to zip.

Coach Saccoccia then went to his bench as almost the whole roster saw valuable playing time against the number one team in West Virginia's starters.

In the pregame the Big Red Booster's Legend of Big Red Football Night was held as members of the 1983 team were on hand to huddle one last time. The team was Coach Saccoccia's initial squad and finished the regular season unbeaten, and then losing a heartbreaker to Youngstown Ursuline 13-0 in the Division 2 Regional Finals. Victories were over Kiski Area Pa. (26-20), Cleveland JFK (21-0), East Liverpool (18-0), Dover (28-14), Columbus Marion Franklin (34-6), Cambridge (23-12), Wintersville (26-6), Bellaire (16-14), Youngstown East (33-13), and Catholic Central (14-10).

The Red will now get set to host the Cadets of Washington D.C.'s St. Johns College. St. Johns is a large catholic school which participates in the always tough Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. They will be bringing a 1-1 record, and some highly touted recruits to Death Valley.

	Big Red	Brooke
Rushing	54/293 yards	27/44 yards
Passing	4/8 47 yards	17/35 163 yards
First Downs	19	15
Penalties	17/173 yards	6/46 yards
Punts	2 for 42 avg.	5 for 25 avg.
Fumbles	0-0	1-0
Interceptions	1	1
-	-	-

 

 

 

Steubenville Big Red 7

McKeesport Pennsylvania Tigers 0

September 4th, 2010

Wolverena, Turtle Creek Pa.

There are three phases to a football game, but one often overlooked and ommited phase is coaching. That was the difference in the Saturday late morning tilt at Woodland Hills High's famed Wolverena in Turtle Creek Pennsylvania. With both teams slugging it out in a first half that saw a physical clash of titans waging war, the defenses were the show stoppers.

A halftime adjustment by the Big Red coaches tweeked the game in the Red's favor in a pivitol third quarter drive, that culminated with a 3 yard lunge to turquise and black paydirt by Jo Jo Pierro. The TD drive was spearheaded by Jo Jo's older sibling, Anthony, altering the snap count at the direction of the Big Red staff. McKeesport would jump on three seperate occassions to aid the march. While the infractions were only 5 yards apiece, it seemed to swing the big mo in the Red's favor, and cause the Tigers to come unraveled. In all the TD drive covered 84 yards, ate about 4 minutes off the clock, and featured a big 40 yard pass play from A. Pierro to senior tight end Blake Carroll, who snagged the pass just over the outstretched arms of a Tiger D back.

From there the GATA D did the rest. The Tigers were limited to 31 yards and one first down in the second half. That came on the heels of a first half performance in which the Big Red defense only allowed 90 yards of Tiger offense, despite having their back to their goal line due to bad field position.

The contest started ominiously for SHS as the opening kickoff was returned to the Big Red 28 by Sam Gooden. Gooden is being heavily recruited by several D1 schools and it showed why right from the start as he cut and bounced his way off of tacklers. The Big Red D held on downs however as senior LB Shaq Petteway and junior LB LeShawn Luke put the big hit on Gooden.

Big Red was unable to get it's offense on track against the big front of McKeesport, which featured D1 recruits Delvon Simmons and Branden Jackson. The biggest first half play for Steubenville would be a pass from Pierro to senior tight end Dom Garay for 38 yards, but the drive would stall out after a sack.

The stellar defense was all the more impressive considering that McKeesport executed their old flexbone offense after going through the scrimmages in a spread attack, therefore the Big Red D did not practice in anticipation and had to adjust on the fly.

The electrifying play of the day did not make it to the box score though, as junior Najee Murray fielded a rugby punt over his shoulder on a dead run, reversed himself, and with the help of a few decleating blocks, raced up the Big Red sideline for what appeared to be a game clinching 80 yard punt return for a TD. The play was brought back however as a Big Red player was called for a block in the back as Murray was crossing the goal line.

Big Red led in first downs 11 to 7, in passing yards 98 to 9, and in penalties as Big Red amassed 40 yards and the Tigers had 97. McKeesport outrushed Big Red 117 to 50.

Big Red will now get ready to face the undefeated, West Virginia state runner up, Brooke Bruins this Friday night in Death Valley. Big Red leads the brief series between the river rivals 4-0 in contests from 2001 through 2004. It should prove to be a rocking atmosphere as each team is regarded as the king of the OVAC in each's repected side of the river.

Two will enter...only one will exit.

	Big Red	McKeesport
Rushing	35/50 yards	35/117 yards
Passing	5/14 98 yards	4/9 3 yards
First Downs	11	7
Penalties	5/40 yards	14/97 yards
Punts	NA	NA
Fumbles	0-0	1-0
Interceptions	2	0
-	-	-

 

 

Steubenville Big Red 36

Inkster Michigan Vikings 0

August 26th, 2010

Death Valley

Hard work pays off.

One of the two teams who put a blemish on the Big Red record in 2009 returned to Steubenville for the opener of the high school football season. The Inkster Vikings came into Death Valley on October 23rd, 2009, and left with a 36-29 victory, which ended the state's 2nd longest regular season winning streak in history at 68 games. This time Big Red would be ready.

From the opening kickoff, which sailed into the endzone, to the final play, The Red controlled every facet of the game on the way to a convincing 36-0 pasting of Michigan's defending D2 State Runner up.

After Hunter Naylor's kickoff, the Vikings would start at the 20, and would manage a pultry 5 yards of offense, thus setting up a punting situation. Big Red took control at the Inster 48 and needed just 4 plays to strike paydirt. 3 year letterman and senior QB Anthony Pierro fired a perfect strike to junior wideout Najee Murray in the right corner of the endzone, under the shadows of Man O' War, who blew his fire in sheer delight. Lucky McClurg tacked on the PAT and Big Red was off and rolling in 2K10 7-0.

Another Inkster 3 and out by the GATA D, set up the offense again at the Host's 44. The Big Red Oline, consisting of seniors John Eckroth, Mason Campbell, Wesley Prichard, Willie Pruitt, and Jake Linn, took control of the game and were opening huge holes for junior tailback Jo Jo Pierro and junior back LeShawn Luke. Pierro had a nice 25 yard gallop to set up an eventual 25 yard field goal by Naylor, which pushed the lead to 10 with a little over a half a quarter expired.

The D once again forced another 3 and out and Big Red once again established control of the football at the 44. On the third play from scrimmage, Jo Jo Pierro took the handoff to the right side, waited for his blocking, cut back to the left and outraced the secondary to the endzone where the new west bleachers stand. Lucky McClurg added the PAT to make it 17 to zip.

The dazed Vikings took the kickoff and still could not pick up a first down, as the swarming, smothering Steubenville Defense dictated and dominated. Inkster QB Deon Stegall could not find an open receiver and the Viking ground game, which features D1 recruit Da'Shawn Bell, was non existant versus the Big Red front 7 of juniors William Houst and LaShawn Luke, seniors John Eckroth, and Willie Pruitt, Dom Garay, Jesse Birden, and Shaq Petteway. Another Vike punt set up the Big Red Machine at midfield, and culminated with Luke driving his way into the enzone for 6. Lucky McClurg put his toe into another PAT and it was 24 to 0 good guys.

The Inkster coaching staff knew that the game was slipping away and decided to go to the air in hopes of hitting a big play and trying to change the momentum. Jordan Meyer would have none of that though, as he came charging in from his safety position, dived around the receiver, and plucked the ball off inches from the turf for an amazing interception. The Big Red secondary of Meyer, Murray, Pierro, seniors Josh Thompson and Jon Sherrell would limit the Vikings to 53 yards. The offense would not waste Meyer's effort as AP found Murray again, after a nice jaunt by McClurg of 30 yards, in the right corner of the enzone for the TD. The conversion failed and Big Red went down to Cartledge Field House with a Firm 30-0 halftime lead.

The second half saw Coach Saccoccia get plenty of time for his other players who have put in many months of effort and time. They did not disappoint as the defense not only kept the shutout, but tacked on another score as junior Dustin Davis scooped up a fumble and rambled 44 yards to paydirt to close out the scoring. Big Red took a knee on the conversion.

For the game, the GATA D held Inkster to 134 on the ground and 53 yards in the air, most of which came in the 2nd half.

The offense had 216 rushing, and 93 passing, going over the 300 mark the first time out of the box.

Big Red led in first downs 15-9, and won the turnover battle by picking off two passes, one each by Jordan Meyer and Jon Sherrell. There were no fumbles lost.

Next up for the Mighty Big Red is a trip to the Keystone State, which will be the first trip into Pennsylvania since October 27th, 1939 when Big Red went to Erie East and left with a 13-6 defeat. This time Steubenville will participate in the Wolverena Rally at The Woodland Hills Pa. Wolverena Stadium, which is located in Turtle Creek outside of Pittsburgh. The opponent will be the WPIAL AAAA McKeesport Tigers, who have won state titles in 1994 and 2005. Kick off is 11 am, see you there......Roll Red Roll!

	Big Red	Inkster
Rushing	32/216 yards	28/134 yards
Passing	8/11 93 yards	8/16 53 yards
First Downs	15	9
Penalties	2/10 yards	8/36 yards
Punts	NA	NA
Fumbles	1-0	0-0
Interceptions	1	2
-	-	-