2013

BR	2013 Saccoccia	OPP
48	Detriot Central Mi.	6
28	Cleveland Benedictine	17
43	Canada Prep Ont.	38
32	@ Brooke Wva.	15
21	Massillon Washington	37
36	@ Barberton	7
19	Salesianum De.	36
21	@Youngstown Ursuline	46
22	@ Wheeling Park Wv.	42
27	Renaissance Pa.	14
21	@ Licking Valley	14
22	(N) Maysville	20
17	(N) Indian Valley	14
7	(N) Young. Cardinal Mooney	37
364	9-5-0	343

 

Regional Final, Big Red, 9-4, vs. Youngstown Cardinal Mooney Cardinals, 9-4, Friday, November 29th, 2013, at Canton's Fawcett Stadium.

CANTON - Big Red's thrilling run in the Division IV playoffs came to an end on Black Friday at Fawcett Stadium.

Youngstown Cardinal Mooney jumped out to an early lead, then took full advantage of Big Red turnovers and penalties to earn a 37-7 victory in the Division IV semifinals. The Cardinals, now 10-4, advance to next week's title game where they will meet Clarksville Clinton-Massie, the defending champion.

Big Red, which entered the postseason as the eighth seed but rolled to the Region 13 title, finishes with a 9-5 mark.

Mooney, thanks to a 47-yard return of the opening kick by Mark Handel, began its first possession at the Big Red 43. It took six plays before quarterback Jon Saadey crossed the goal on a one-yard plunge. Zak Kennedy nailed the conversion kick.

The score moved to 14-0 with 3:41 remaining in the initial period after Handel picked off a Mandela Lawrence-Burke pass and raced 39 yards to complete the pick six. Kennedy again added the point from placement.

"We got beat by a very good football team," Reno Saccoccia said following the final four defeat. "We had a horrible start, giving them that kick return and then giving them some easy plays. But our defense played well after that. We just were never able to develop any chemistry on offense."

Big Red's best opportunity of the opening half came early in the second quarter after its defense forced a punt. Starting at its 46, the Red moved to the Cardinal 43 thanks to an 11-yard sprint by Johnnie Blue. On the next snap, Lawrence-Burke hit fellow sophomore Devin Ferguson for what appeared to be a big gainer.

Unfortunately, Big Red was nailed with a holding penalty, nullifying the gain.

"Early on our defense did a great job of keeping them out of the end zone," Mooney's P.J. Fecko said. "We did a good job of making plays and putting them in negative situations. The pick six didn't hurt matters."

Kennedy booted field goals of 38 and 43 yards to finish the first half scoring.

Big Red held Mooney's ground attack in check during the opening 24 minutes as the Cardinals could manage just 51 yards. Saadey, however, completed seven of 11 passing attempts for 93 stripes.

Offensively, Saccoccia's club ran 25 plays for just 57 stripes. Mooney, on the other hand, gained 144 on 27 snaps.

"The first thing coming in was we wanted to make sure we were sound." Fecko continued. "It's no secret Steubenville is a really good football team. They're well-coached. You have to make sure you have everything covered because they're going to take advantage of any weakness or guy out of position. That was the first part. The second part was about how much pressure we could get. Our guys were able to do so."

Another Big Red turnover along with a costly penalty helped the Cardinals go up 27-0 midway through the third stanza. The Red defense forced a Mooney punt but the Steubenville receiver was unable to hang on, the Cardinals recovering at the 21. A personal foul moved the pigskin to the 10 and C.J. Amill sprinted in from there.

The Red got on the board at the 1:20 mark of the third, marching 75 yards in 13 plays. Sophomore Dimitri Collaros engineered the drive, throwing for 35 stripes. Blue rumbled for 38 and got the score via a seven-yarde burst up the gut. John Paul Duff made it 27-7.

Mooney's lead increased to 30-7 thanks to Kennedy's third field goal of the contest, this one coming from 37 yards. The Cardinal scoring drive started at the Big Red 31 thanks to a short punt. A personal foul against the Red placed the ball at the 14. Key defensive plays by Kai McClurg and William Harvey kept Mooney from getting another six.

Big Red's second lost fumble resulted in Mooney's final score. Saadey fought his way in from four yards away.

"We knew we couldn't play smash-face with them," Saccoccia stated. "We had to do some boots and waggles and things like that. Unfortunately, we just didn't execute.

"I did a poor job of just having them ready. Games are not won with the body, games are won with mind, heart, soul and passion. A coach's job is to make sure the players minds are in the right spot and their hearts are prepared. The coach also must bring the passion out in his players.

"If the coach doesn't bring that passion out, then he didn't do his job. I didn't do my job this week"

Mooney finished the night with 243 yards (143 rushing and 100 passing). Big had 121 (49 via the ground and 82 through the air). Blue paced the Red with 69 rushing stripes. Sophomore Niko Petrides had three catches for 35 yards.

Bryan Pierro led the Big Red defensively with 9.5 tackles while Blue had nine and McClurg 6.5

"I told the guys right after the game that I'll never forget this team," Saccoccia added. "All I wanted them to do was think back to when we were 5-4.

"It was a very tough loss, nobody likes to lose but I love this team-5-4, that's all I am going to say. The 5-4 record will stick in my mind every time I think about the 2013 team."

Saccoccia continued by saying he appreciates the effort given by his coaches, the players and the Big Red parents.

"Our coaches give their heart and soul to football," he commented. "Our players give their heart and soul and so do the parents. I appreciate all three levels."

 

 

 

 

Regional Final, Big Red, 8-4, vs. Indian Valley Braves, 10-2, Friday, November 22nd, 2013, at Dover's Crater Stadium.

DOVER - Friday night at Dover's Crater Stadium, Steubenville Big Red left Indian Valley feeling "Blue".

Led by sophomore running back Johnnie Blue, Big Red topped the Braves 17-14 to claim the Division IV, Region 13 championship and a trip to face Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in the state semifinals in Week 14.

"The thing that I was most pleased with besides that we played with a passion was that kids on the sideline that were injured and should have been starting that were into the game," said Big Red head coach Reno Saccoccia. "They were into the game, and everyone helped in the way they could help tonight."

Trailing 14-10 with 3:06 remaining in the third quarter, Big Red went on a seven play, 78-yard drive, culminating with a seven-yard Blue touchdown run. John Paul Duff put home the extra point for the 17-14 lead with 14 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Blue had runs of 24, 12, and six yards on the drive as well.

"The offense did a great job today," said Saccoccia. "At times I think they were playing us real wide and our quarterback (Mandela Lawrence-Burke) did a great job of picking his plays."

Blue made his presence felt on the defensive side on the ensuing drive. The Braves faced third and 15 from the Big Red 47 when Blue came through with a sac of Indian Valley quarterback Brady Byers for an 11-yard loss to force a punt.

Big Red looked to be on its way to closing things out on the following possession, driving to the Braves' 34 on seven plays. Unfortunately a holding penalty paired with a personal foul call sent the ball all the way back to the Big Red 42 and forced a punt three plays later.

"I thought we moved the ball well the whole game," said Saccoccia. "It was our best offensive output the whole playoffs, but we almost killed ourselves with that 25-yard penalty. We lead the country in 25-yard penalties."

The Big Red defense was up to the task though, and, with Indian Valley facing fourth and eight, Blue hit Byers for his second sack, this time causing a fumble that was recovered by Arin Goldsmith.

Two Lawrence-Burke kneels later Big Red was hoisting the regional title.

"I know there's a guy named Lazarus, but I think we beat him," said Saccoccia of his team's unlikely voyage to becoming regional champs. "After week nine they were throwing on the last shovel and I think it broke. I think the only reason we're still around is the shovel broke."

Big Red opened the game with a 15-play, 67-yard, five minute drive that saw Lawrence-Burke go in from five yards out.

With the game tied, kicker John Paul Duff put Big Red up 10-7 with a 33-yard field goal in the second quarter.

"I should be hung by the highest tree for not using him more, but I'm just not a kicking guy I guess," said Saccoccia. "He's a clutch player."

The Big Red defense gave up a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to Indian Valley running back Jake Davis, but the Eastern District offensive player of the year was held to just 48 yard on the ground along with one yard receiving. The Brave managed just 175 yards of total offense on the evening.

"I don't know anything about stats," said Saccoccia. "I was always told stats are for losers. All I know is the first half we didn't tackle well. The second half we shut them out."

Blue led the Big Red offensive charge with 21 carries for 178 yards and the game-winning score. Big Red ended the game with 288 yards of offense.

"I just want to thank our fans," said Saccoccia. "They've stuck with us and it's going to be a great weekend."

 

 

 

 

Regional Semi-final, Big Red, 7-4, vs. Maysville Panthers, 8-3, Friday, November 15th, 2013, at St. Clairsville Red Devil Stadium.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Big Red will play for a regional championship for the first time in three years despite maST. CLAIRSVILLE - Big Red will play for a regional championship for the first time in three years despite making things "so tough on ourselves."

The now 8-4 Big Red overcame nine penalties, a rash of early injuries and a successful fake on a punt to clip Maysville 22-20 Friday before an overflow crowd at Red Devil Stadium.

With the victory, Reno Saccoccia's club advances to the Division IV, Region 13 title game next week against Indian Valley, a 7-3 winner over Philo. The location for that contest will be announced Sunday by the OHSAA.

"It was a great team victory," Saccoccia said. "But we make it so tough on ourselves. We had to have 15 penalties (the Red actually drew nine for 97) and they were all big ones."

Maysville, which finished at 8-4 and also was eliminated from the post-season by Big Red in 2012, got the game's opening scoring, going 27 yards after forcing Saccoccia's crew to punt from its own end zone. Big Red's opening drive included a 15-yard penalty for a chop block.

Chase Roberts crossed the goal on an 11-yard sweep. Nate Vallee added the extra point.

Big Red knotted the score after its defense forced the first Panther punt of the evening on the first play of the second quarter. The score came on a 57-yard Mandela Lawrence-Burke pass to Lucas Herrington. The sophomore quarterback dodged some trouble and found Herrington running loose behind the defenders. John Paul Duff booted the point from conversion.

The Panthers took the lead right back, traveling 52 yards. The key play was the fake punt, Vallee (Maysville's backup quarterback) hitting Couger Clarke for the first down. C.J. Harris got the score via a three-yard scamper.

Big Red immediately answered by going 71 yards. The drive was capped by a Johnnie Blue two-yard run. After a penalty against Maysville, Reno Saccoccia decided to go for two. Blue plowed up the gut to make it 15-14.

On this drive, Lawrence-Burke passed for 35 and ran for 26.

"There was no hesitation," Saccoccia said regarding the decision to go for two. "If we can't get a yard and a half, we don't deserve to be here."

The Red struck on its first possession of the third quarter, going 67 yards for a score. The touchdown drive came after the defense stuffed Maysville on its initial touch of the second half. Arin Goldsmith, William Harvey and Blue all delivered key defensive plays.

Penalties played a major role in the scoring march. The Big Red was aided by a personal foul call on the Panthers after Lawrence-Burke and Niko Petrides connected for a 16 yard gain. The walk-off gave Steubenville a first and goal at the nine.

Big Red then was called for another chop block, making it first and goal at the 34. Lawrence-Burke found Herrington again behind the Maysville defense. Duff's kick put the Red ahead 22-14.

"I asked the kids for a couple of big plays tonight and we got them," Saccoccia noted. "We could have nickled and dimed all night but you can't do that when you have third and one and get a penalty.

"The offense put us in a hole. We were called for two horse collars and face makes and we gave up a fake punt. We did everything we could to put ourselves in a hole."

Maysville appeared to be stopped on its next possession, which started from its own 41. On third and three, quarterback Jacob Miller was stopped short but Big Red was hit with a 15-yard facemask penalty. The Panthers took advantage of the new life given to them by the officiating crew. They covered the final 41 stripes in just six plays, Hayes bulling over from a yard away. A pass for the extra points failed.

The Panthers threatened again after Clarke intercepted a Lawrence-Burke pass. Maysville moved to the Big Red 26 (the march was assisted by a personal foul call against the Red) before the drive stalled. Vallee tried a 41-yard field goal but it sailed wide left. He also missed wide left earlier in the game.

Herrington also delivered a key defensive play on Maysville's final touch. He batted down a Miller pass, giving the ball back to Big Red with less than a minute to play.

"It feels good and I'm happy we won," Saccoccia noted. "If we want to win the championship, we have to be passionate at what we do, cut out the penalties and get some kids healthy. We lost too many kids too quick in this game.

"We made plays on offense and defense when we needed them. It didn't need to be that tough. We made it tougher that it had to be."

Lawrence-Burke had a huge night for Big Red, now 49-22 all-time in the playoffs. He passed for 204 yards and ran for 31 more. Herrington finished with seven catches for 133. Blue added 95 yards on the ground. He raced for 52 stripes late in the game on help Big Red put the victory on ice.

 

 

Regional Quarter-final, Big Red, 6-4, at Licking Valley Panthers, 8-2, Friday, November 8th, 2013, at Randy Baughman Stadium.

NEWARK - Reno Saccoccia issued this challenge to his team at halftime Friday - fight for 24 minutes.

The eighth-seeded Big Red responded and left Randy Baughman Stadium with a 21-14 Division IV, Region 13 quarterfinal victory over top-seeded Licking Valley.

Friday's victory, Big Red's 48th all-time in the Ohio playoffs, sends Steubenville into next week's semifinals opposite Maysville.

Licking Valley held a 14-7 halftime lead after Big Red was victimized by a chain-gang error on a critical fourth down and a whole bunch of penalties.

Big Red opened the third quarter by making a statement, going 85 yards (11 plays) for a touchdown. Johnnie Blue did the honors from four yards out. On the extra point try, Licking Valley was called for a substitution infraction and the Red went for two. The Panther defense stiffened, however, and stopped Robert Hayden short.

Saccoccia's club took the lead for good with 1:03 left in the third, officially traveling 71 yards (the drive actually covered 88 due to a holding penalty). Mandela Lawrence-Burke went in from the 1 after making a nifty fake to Hayden and getting the corner on the Panther defense. Blue ran in for the two making it 21-14 Big Red.

 

 

 

 

Regional Semi-final, Big Red, 7-4, vs. Maysville Panthers, 8-3, Friday, November 15th, 2013, at TBA.