×

Fighting Irish stifle Big Red

RED AND GREEN — Deamonte King of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary evades a tackle by Steubenville’s Dujuan Jones in the first quarter at Harding Stadium. The Fighting Irish beat Big Red, 15-7. (Matthew Peaslee)

STEUBENVILLE — Several streaks came to an end Friday night inside Harding Stadium.

Unfortunately for Steubenville’s football team, its 17-game regular season victory run was one of  them.

Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary rode its stingy, hard-hitting and opportunistic defense to a 15-7 triumph over the Big Red.

The Fighting Irish had dropped three in a row heading into the contest and its offense had not scored a touchdown since the season opener. Further, the victory was STVM’s first in its four-game series with Big Red.

“It was a tough game,” said Reno Saccoccia after watching his Big Red fall for the first time this season. “They’re a good football team, we’re a good football team–you know that’s how it goes. I’m proud of the effort both teams gave tonight.”

St. Vincent-St. Mary, now 3-3, showed its defensive might on the game’s first series. Big Red quarterback Javon Davis was hit behind the line and lost control of the ball, the Irish recovering at the Steubenville 19. Saccoccia’s defense, however, held its ground and regain control when Dujuan Jones pounced on an Irish fumble in the end zone.

Both defenses made life miserable for the offenses for the rest of the opening quarter. The visitors began the second period by moving from their own 26 to the Steubenville nine. Jamie Martucci’s 27-yard field goal opened the scoring.

The Irish would mount another scoring threat late in the quarter but it ended when Drone Moore delivered a sack on STVM quarterback Donte Taylor.

In the opening half, STVM ran 39 offensive plays good for 158 yards and three first downs. Big Red, on the other hand, had just 18 offensive snaps and could muster just three yards.

Early in the third quarter, the score moved to 5-0 when Big Red punter Mark Smith was tackled in his own end zone after mishandling the snap. Smith’s ensuing free kick was bobbled by the Irish receiver and the visitors were pinned deep in their own territory.

On first down from the 20, however, Myles Williams broke loose for an 80-yard touchdown jaunt, the first offensive score for the Irish during the month of September. Martucci’s conversion kick made it 12-0.

Two possessions later, Big Red finally got its offense going. Davis hit Gino Pierro for 13 yards and a roughing the passer call added 15 to the end of the play. Davis connected with Charles Reeves for 21. The junior signal caller then rolled to his right and drilled a pass into the hands of Pierro. The scoring play covered 16 yards. Austen Duggan added the extra point.

Steubenville’s score came with 11:02 left to play.

Unfortunately for Big Red, STVM responded immediately, moving from its own 20 to the Steubenville seven. Martucci’s second field goal of the night, this one from 23 yards away proved to be the game’s final score.

Big Red would have two chances to potentially tie the game and force overtime, but both ended with turnovers.

Following Martucci’s boot, Steubenville marched from its own 25 to the STVM four. Zane Zimish ran for 26 yards and Jalen McGhee 12 on the drive. Davis and Reeves hooked up for 18, giving Big Red a first and goal. A fumble ended this threat.

Big Red’s defense delivered a three and out and the visitors punted from their own end zone. Steubenville’s next drive began at the Irish 26.

After two penalties moved the ball to the 36, Davis hit Pookie Petteway for 14. Three snaps later, however, the Irish defense came through with an interception to seal the upset victory.

“I hope we learn from it (the loss,)” Saccoccia stressed. “We had opportunities on offense and defense. We squandered a couple of them. We were down inside the five and didn’t get it. Then we had them down deep in their own territory and we let them score.”

The Irish finished with 398 yards of offense (249 on the ground and 149 through the air). Williams collected 181 yards on 24 carries. Taylor completed 12 of his 24 passing attempts.

Big Red could manage just 140 yards offensively, 97 of which came on Davis pass completions. Reeves finished with three receptions.

Steubenville will look to rebound next Friday when it heads north to face Youngstown Ursuline.

“I told our players after the game if they love and the coaches like we love them, then we’ll be back even stronger than we were going into this game,” Saccoccia stated. “If not, then it will happen again.

“If we take the butt-whipping like a man, learn what we did wrong, take the criticism that is going to come in the morning when we watch film then come back Monday with the proper attitude and love of the game, then we will be fine. If not, like I said, it will happen again. I’ve been around these kids too long, they’ll learn from it, I know they will.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today