STEUBENVILLE – Two schools with rich football traditions will do battle for the first time Saturday on Reno Field at Harding Stadium.

The St. Joseph Wildcats, who hail from Hammonton, N.J. will take a 4-0 mark into its clash with Big Red, which will be meeting an undefeated opponent for the third consecutive week. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

Paul Sacco is in his 33rd season as head coach of his alma mater. He has a career record of 281-36-5. The Wildcats have made 31 straight playoff appearances (they’ve been to the postseason a total of 35 times). They’ve won 23 championships and sport an overall playoff record of 41-12.

Sacco’s 2013 club went 11-1 and earned the school’s fifth straight New Jersey Non Public Group 1 title. The Wildcats returned nearly every standout from that squad.

“Their coach feels this is the best team he has had,” said Reno Saccoccia, who has led the Big Red to 24 playoff appearances, 14 regional titles and three state crowns. “They are very experienced and well-coached. Their kids play hard and they are disciplined.”

The St. Joseph offense is directed by junior quarterback Salaam Horne (5-11, 180). He has thrown for 462 yards to date and also is a threat to run the ball.

His twin brother A’Laam averaged 11.2 yards per carry in 2013 and scored 10 touchdowns. Running back Rocco Ordille (a 5-10, 180 pound senior) finished third in the 100-meter dash at the New Jersey championships last spring.

Senior C. J. LaFragola, the team’s captain, starts at fullback and also leads the defense from his middle linebacker spot. LaFragola, 5-11, 195, ran for 14 touchdowns in 2013.

“They have good backs,” Saccoccia pointed out. “Their quarterback is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Their tailbacks are outstanding and the fullback is a ramrod for them.

“St. Joseph runs a very good Wing-T but has added a few wrinkles to it. Defensively, they play an odd front and sometimes slide into a four-man front. They’ll be coming in here full of vigor and I know they’ll be ready to play.”

The Wildcats have scored 187 points in their first four games while allowing just 22. St. Joseph competes in the American Division of the Cape Atlantic Division.

St. Joe’s skill players run behind a huge offensive line. Justin Kennedy, a 6-4, 235 pound senior, is the team’s top lineman. Others up front include seniors Joe Greer (6-3, 230), Derek Lomax (6-4, 280) Knikeen Lewis (6-3, 285) along with junior Joe Higbee (6-4,250).

When S. Horne goes to the air, his favorite targets are his brother, Ricardo Quirindongo (a 6-1, 185 senior) and junior Chris Carey (6-2, 220).

Saccoccia and his Big Red stand at 4-2 after dropping consecutive games to Massillon and Athens.

“We have to regroup,” the Big Red boss noted. “I’m glad we have the extra day of practice to prepare. We’re taking it day by day, one day at a time. We need to bounce back and have a good week of practice.”

After falling 26-13 to the Tigers on the road, Big Red returned home to Harding Stadium and were beaten 58-42 by the Bulldogs. Through six games, Saccoccia’s unit has scored 176 points and allowed 126.

The Big Red offense averages 405 yards per outing. Junior Dimitri Collaros has thrown for 644 yards since taking over for the injured Mandela Lawrence-Burke. In the loss to Athens, Collaros passed for 282 and two scores. He also ran for a six-pointer.

Senior Donte Brown has collected 429 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Junior Johnnie Blue has 352 and four scores. He topped the 100-yard mark against Athens and found the end zone twice.

Collaros found senior Lucas Herrington seven times in the tussle with the Bulldogs. Herrington now leads Big Red’s receivers with 19 catches. Senior Ma’Lik Richmond has 18.

“They’ve known about us for a while,” Saccoccia responded when asked about scheduling St. Joseph. “This year, they decided to take their shot.

“We’re all for it. Our kids know what they are up against. Hopefully we have learned from the last two games and will become a better team. I think we have played top notch competition all year and I think that is going to make us better.”