Big Red faces Hartley in Rd. 2
Trending
STEUBENVILLE -- Big Red has gone against Columbus Bishop Hartley twice in the Ohio Division IV playoffs. Unfortunately, both games ended in heart-breaking three-point losses.
Steubenville will look to flip the script when the Hawks come to town Friday for a Region 15 quarterfinal contest. The opening kick is set for 7 p.m. inside Harding Stadium.
In 2015, Hartley got a field goal with 5:23 to play then picked off a Big Red pass to preserve a 31-28 win in the D IV championship game. A year later, a 31-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Hawks to 24-21 victory, earning their second consecutive state title.
Hartley, seeded 10th in the region, stands at 5-6 following its 48-13 road win against seventh- seeded New Lexington. Big Red, the second seed, earned a 33-13 opening round victory over number 15 Carrollton.
During the regular season, the Hawks fell to Big Walnut (9-2), Harvest Prep (11-0), Canal Winchester (7-4), Columbus DeSales (7-4), Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph (8-3) and
Columbus Watterson (10-1). They defeated Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas, Lima Central Catholic, Columbus St. Charles and Columbus KIPP.
"Every game right now is a challenge," Big Red coach Reno Saccoccia said earlier this week.
"Bishop Hartley is especially challenge because of the schedule it plays, the way the team is coached and the type of players the team has."
Through 11 games, Hartley's offense is averaging 26 points while its defense surrenders 19. The offense has produced 2,970 rushing yards on 487 carries (6.1 yards per carry) and 37 touchdowns on the ground. Through the air, the Hawks have 942 yards and three scores.
"I don't know about stats -- I just know if you watch their film from seasons past until today, they are almost the same," Saccoccia said. "They don't do a lot but what they do, they do real well.
"They are physical on both sides of the ball and they have speed in their skilled positions. They have very big players on their offensive line."
Senior Peyton Underwood (6-3, 205) directs the Hartley offense. He has completed 69 of his 147 passes for 920 yards and two scores. He has thrown 12 interceptions.
Three-year starter DeAunte Hubbard is Hartley's top ground gainer. In nine games, the senior tailback (6-0, 190) has run for 1,011 yards on 177 carries and found the end zone 12 times. He ran for 75 yards on 10 trips against New Lexington before leaving the game with an injury.
Freshman Robert Lathon (5-10, 170) has carried the ball 103 times and produced 745 yards. He also has 12 touchdowns. He already has an offer to play football from the University of Kentucky. Lathon took over for Hubbard in the playoff opener and finished with 161 yards on 23 carries, 100 of those came on 15 trips in the first half.
The other member of Hartley's tailback crew is junior Joey Wooten (6-2, 180). He has compiled 410 yards on 60 carries and recorded eight six-pointers.
Fullback Rory Ralston, a 6-0, 185 pound junior, also is a threat. He has run for 340 yards to date.
Ralston also is a standout as a linebacker on defense.
Junior Ryan Perry (5-10, 155) is Underwood's top target with 29 receptions, good for 481 yards and two scores.
Senior Ben Burchfield anchors the offensive line from his center spot. He is joined up front by fellow seniors Isaac Asiedu and Eyan Jackson along with juniors Donovan Davis and Blake Wyatt.
"They actually have three tailbacks that they use and all have a different style," Saccoccia said. "They are all good and run hard.
"Their fullback also is the middle linebacker. He never comes off the field and might be their best all-around player."
As he looked ahead to Friday, Saccoccia said one the keys will be for his Big Red to play the way it practices.
"Right now, I feel the way we practice has not always transferred to the field on game nights," he noted. "Our kids have practiced hard. They have worked hard off the field as far as conditioning and weight training goes.
"They have worked hard on the field also but the way we practiced has not transferred each and every week to Friday nights."
Following its Week 11 win, Big Red is averaging 32 points per game and allowing 14.5. The offense is compiling 400 yards an outing (230 rushing and 170 passing). Defensively, Big Red surrenders 82 yards rushing and 127 passing.
Senior Gavin Bozica ontinues to lead the ground game with 924 yards on 146 attempts. He has scored 10 times. Junior Savier Faulks is next with 745 yards on 85 carries and eight touchdowns.
Faulks went for 144 yards and two touchdowns against Carrollton.
Senior quarterback Phaeton Hill has thrown for 1,836 yards (he's completed 57 percent of his passes) and 20 touchdowns. The left-handed signal caller showed his scrambling ability against Carrolton, picking up two key first downs in the process.
Junior Isaac Hill now has 46 catches for 819 yards and 12 scores. Senior Hakim Edwards has 14 and senior Tylik Sims 13. Sims made an outstanding leaping grab of a Phaeton Hill pass for a score against Carrollton. Seniors Ivan Buggs and Kyjhaun Hopkins each have 12 grabs.
Big Red is in the Ohio playoffs for the 22nd consecutive year. It now has an overall post-season record of 70-30. Under Saccoccia, Steubenville has won four state championships and finished second five times.
Bishop Hartley has been a playoff regular since 2010. The Hawks sport a record of 49-16.
Saccoccia indicated Big Red's past issues with Hartley should have little impact on Friday's meeting.
"There are a lot of traps you can fall into in the playoffs," he said. "It's best that you just worry about yourself and what you have to do to win the game. You really can't worry about past experiences or records -- those are all out the window.
"The better teams are playing now and the further it goes the better teams get. You have to be prepared, focused and play solid football."