Big Red rolling
Steubenville continues long home stand against Pittsburgh USO
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STEUBENVILLE -- Big Red and Pittsburgh USO both dropped their season openers. Since then, each squad has reeled off three consecutive victories.
One winning streak will come to an end Friday when the Wildcats visit Harding Stadium. The kick for Big Red's annual homecoming game is set for 7 p.m. This will be the fourth meeting between the schools, with Steubenville holding a 3-0 series lead.
USO, which also is called University Prep, started the 2018 campaign with a loss to Farrell, Pa. Lou Berry's club rebounded with victories over city rivals Carrick, Westinghouse and Perry. Students from University Prep, Science Tech and Obama Academy suit up for the Wildcats.
"They have a bunch of players back from last year, and they are a well-balanced team," Big Red coach Reno Saccoccia said of USO. "They got a quick touchdown against us last year, and they always have athletes.
"Every game is a good test for us. As an opponent, USO will be a complete opposite from what we have faced so far this season. They aren't big and physical, but they are quick and talented. Plus, they are on a three-game winning streak."
USO went 4-7 a season ago, with six of those losses coming against tough out-of-conference foes. Berry's club went 4-1 in Pittsburgh City League play. Scheduling difficult non-league opponents is a deliberate strategy of Berry's, designed to get his team ready for the postseason.
"The past couple of years, we've really subjected to a top-notch, out-of-conference schedule," said Berry, who's in his eight season as the USO coach. "It was pretty brutal, but it always paid off for us in the end. So, we didn't end up with the overall record that we wanted, but we were still really good in City League play and, literally, were one play away from making it back to the championship last year."
That one play came in a heartbreaking 9-8 loss to Brashear in the City League semifinals. The loss, while it stung, is fueling the team this year, Berry said.
"The kids are hungry to try to get back on that big stage," he said.
Messiah Wilkerson directs the USO offense, and he threw for 184 yards in the victory over Perry. James Mack is his top receiver. Running back Damon Macklin rushed for 113 yards. Tyrese Wright mans the fullback spot.
"Offensively, they like to mix it up," Saccoccia said. "The quarterback throws it well, and Macklin was a 1,000-yard rusher last season. They play an even front on defense and rely on their speed and athletic ability."
Big Red dropped its opener to Penn Hills but has since reeled off victories against Morgantown, Canada Football North St. Joseph and the Hun School from Princeton, N.J. Saccoccia's club is ranked seventh in this week's Ohio AP Division IV poll and is fifth in the Region 13 computer standings.
Steubenville may have turned in its best performance to date in Saturday's 27-14 over the Hun, a nationally known football program with a roster full of college prospects.
Big Red ran the football 58 times against the Raiders, collecting 264 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Caleb Mitchell (116 yards) and junior Tayveon Crawford (106 yards) both went over the century mark.
"That win took a monumental effort from our players," Saccoccia said. "It goes to show passion and will can out-play size and strength. Our guys played with so much passion. It was a very good win for our entire community, our school and our football program. "
Through four weeks, Big Red is averaging 318 yards per game and 26 points.
Crawford has compiled 305 rushing yards, while Mitchell has contributed 232 to go with five rushing touchdowns. Senior quarterback Clayton Criss has been very efficient, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 525 yards and three touchdowns.
Senior Ethan Duggan has 10 catches to lead Big Red's receivers. Fellow senior Ryan Rauch has six grabs. The Big Red defense allows an area-best 215 yards per game and 18 points.
"I think we have figured out our interior offensive and defensive lines, and both groups are showing improvement," Saccoccia said when asked about his team's performance through the first four weeks. "But, things are the same every week. You have to keep improving in all facets of the game.
"That improvement has to come as individuals, as coaches and as a team. We have to keep working hard and keep improving. At the same time, we have to continue to build the trust factor between players and coaches. It's so important that we all trust each other."