×

Big Red visits New Philly for first time since 1923

LEADING THE WAY — Tayveon Caldwell leads Steubenville to New Philadelphia on Friday for Big Red’s lone road game of the regular season. (Photo by Joe Catullo)

NEW PHILADELPHIA — Steubenville will be looking to slow down another high-powered offense Friday when it makes its first and only road trip of the regular season.

After falling to Cincinnati Turpin and Ravenna to open the season, New Philadelphia has won three of its last four and is riding a two-game win streak. The Quakers scored 62 in their Week 5 victory at Cambridge. A game earlier, they put 38 on the board in downing Canton Central Catholic.

The kick for the 11th all-time meeting between the schools is set for 7 p.m. inside Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium. New Philadelphia actually leads the series, which was renewed in 2017 after lying dormant since 1924. Big Red has not played the Quakers on their home field since 1923.

“I really haven’t given much thought to going on the road,” Big Red coach Reno Saccoccia said. “I’m sure their field is the same size as ours.

“We just have to be mentally prepared to play whether we are home or away. You still have to prepare to play a 48-minute game. I really think our players are looking forward to going on the road.”

In the 62-33 triumph over Cambridge, New Philadelphia junior quarterback Baron May threw for six touchdowns, five of his scoring tosses coming in the first half. Jent Joseph caught four of those TD tosses and Sam Zemis two.

“They changed their offense over the last three games, and the changes really fit May, Joseph and Zemis to a tee,” Saccoccia said. “Offensively, New Philadelphia is well-balanced, but not between the pass and the run. They are well-balanced when it comes to spreading the ball around and the quarterback being part of that with his running ability.

“I’m thinking the coach (Matt Dennison) must have felt he could utilize the talents of those three players better with a wide open offense. They really make the defense cover sideline to sideline, and that’s something we’re preparing for on Friday.”

In last year’s 41-3 victory over New Philadelphia, Big Red’s defense did a solid job of containing May. As Saccoccia pointed out, plenty has changed since that contest.

“He was a sophomore last year, and sophomores are sophomores,” Saccoccia said. “He is a veteran now, and he likes to run the football and also throws it well. When you have a quarterback with his size who likes to run, you really have an extra tailback in the backfield.”

Laterrian Cunningham starts in the backfield with May, and they both run behind an offensive line with plenty of size. The guys up front include Justin Rimer, Lewis Feik and Hunter Beach.

Offensively, the Division III Quakers are averaging 27 points per game, while allowing 28.

Big Red, which is ranked fourth in this week’s Ohio AP Division IV poll, is riding a five-game winning streak. Steubenville’s offense averages 319 yards per game and 29 points. Saccoccia has been relying heavily on the ground game through the first six weeks. Of those 319 yards, 196 have come on the ground.

The Big Red defense surrenders an average of 193 yards (just 61 rushing) a game and 15 points.

Junior Tayveon Crawford paces Big Red’s ground attack, compiling 505 yards on 95 trips. Senior Caleb Mitchell is next with 460 yards on 91 attempts. He has nine rushing touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Clayton Criss continues to be efficient, completing 44 of 66 passes (67 percent) for 643 yards and four touchdowns. Ethan Duggan has 14 catches to pace the receivers.

Saccoccia said his Big Red, which stands second in the OHSAA Division IV, Region 13 computer rankings, has improved every week, adding “we still have a long way to go before we can say we are where we want to be.”

“As a team and as individuals, we have worked hard to improve,” he said. “But, you’re not going to improve just because you are practicing every day. Improvement only comes with hard work.

“You have to constantly work on the things you’re not very good at and continue working on the things you do well. Most of our guys are working pretty hard. Some others need to improve their work habits. But, as a team, especially in some sections of our team, we are working hard to improve day in and day out.”

After visiting New Philadelphia, Big Red will close with home games against Erie, Pa., Cardinal O’Hara from Tonawanda, N.Y., and University School from the Cleveland area.

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? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today