Big Red, Dover have a lot riding on the line
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STEUBENVILLE -- Some serious computer points will be up for grabs Friday when Dover's high-octane Tornadoes invade Harding Stadium to test Big Red.
Both teams are 4-1 and both are highly ranked in this week's OHSAA computer rankings. Dover is fourth in Division II, Region 7, while Steubenville is second in Division IV, Region 13. Big Red also is ranked fifth in the latest Ohio AP Division IV poll.
The kick for the 22nd meeting between the successful programs (Big Red leads the series 16-4-1) is set for 7 p.m.
Dan Ifft's Tornadoes own victories over Cleveland JFK, Wooster, Akron East and Tallmadge. The loss came in Week 2 to always-tough Uniontown Lake. Senior quarterback Alec Sayre rushed for three touchdowns and passed for three more in last week's 42-8 victory over Tallmadge, giving Ifft his 200th career win.
"All that 200 means is that I've been around a long time," Ifft told the Dover Times Reporter. "I didn't think I'd make it five years, and I've been here 24. I've been part of a great community with great kids. It's a pretty easy job, actually."
"Dover is just a solid, well-coached football team," Steubenville coach Reno Saccoccia said. "Just by playing them and being around him, coach Ifft has taught me a lot about the game. Watching the way he does things actually has helped us open up our offense a little.
"Obviously, we will never be as wide open as they are. In my opinion, Dover became a playoff contender and a state championship challenger the moment coach Ifft got there. I respect him, and I respect his program."
Sayre is in his third season as Dover's starting quarterback. In two games against Big Red, the senior has attempted 82 passes and compiled 627 yards. He recently announced he will play baseball at Wright State.
"He likes wearing us out," Saccoccia said of Sayre. "He's just one great competitor. The thing I like best about him is he already signed to play baseball, but he's willing to stick around and play football with his buddies and for his school. I really respect him for that."
Nathan Ravine, Jules Freeman, Ian Sexton and Tyler Sweitzer are among Sayre's top targets. Senior Kyler Folkert leads the Dover rushing attack.
Dover has a pair of two-year starters up front in Jeff Bielski and Austin Ward.
Saccoccia expects the atmosphere at Harding Stadium Friday to be exciting.
"Dover always brings a good crowd and has great fans, and we always bring a good crowd and have great fans," he said. "This will be a good game."
Big Red improved to 4-1 with its 35-8 storm-shortened victory over Pittsburgh USO. Saccoccia's club scored on five of its six possessions. The game was called at halftime, giving the veteran Big Red coach his first 24-minute victory.
"We were able to move the ball, but we really didn't get to do some of the things we wanted to do," Saccoccia said. "The weather kept us from doing some things, but we showed improvement again, which is something we always want to keep doing."
Saccoccia added that, rather than wait out the storm, the USO coach opted to take his team, which is unbeaten in Pittsburgh City League play, home while it was still healthy.
With half a season behind it, Saccoccia said his Big Red continues to work hard and improve.
"I really didn't expect this physical of a stretch of games to open the season," he said. "But, our players rose to the occasion and improved their physicality.
"We still have to improve our technique, and we have to improve when it comes to having the desire to do our jobs. We need to keep improving on the little things, especially on execution."
In the USO game, Caleb Mitchell ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while Tayveon Crawford compiled 94 yards and also scored twice. For the season, Crawford has 399 rushing yards and Mitchell 351.
Clayton Criss has thrown for 551 yards and three touchdowns.
Ethan Duggan has 10 receptions to lead Big Red, and Ryan Rauch caught seven.
Big Red's offense averages 310 yards per game and 27 points, while its defense surrenders an average of 198 yards and 16 points. Steubenville's defense is the top-ranked unit in the Herald Star/Daily Times coverage area.
"We just need to keep getting better and get more guys working to improve," Saccoccia said. "Everyone wants to improve, but how much you improve can only be seen by how hard you work. The harder you work, the more you improve as an individual and a team. That's our goal for the second half of the season."