DOWN THE FIELD — Steubenville’s Jacob Bernard rushes against Pittsburgh USO on Friday. (Photo by Michael D. McElwain)

DOVER — Top-ranked Steubenville will open the second half of its 2017 season Friday by squaring off against a pass happy opponent.

“Dover is a very dangerous team because of what they do best — throw the ball,” Big Red coach Reno Saccoccia said earlier this week. “They throw the ball, they keep throwing the ball and sooner or later they will score.”

Friday’s meeting will be the 21st all-time between the successful programs, Big Red holding a 15-4-1 series lead. The kick is set for 7 p.m. inside Crater Stadium.

“Our philosophy heading to Dover this week is simple,” Saccoccia said. “We want to tackle the receivers and get Dover back into the huddle. We also need to limit big plays. We also want to maintain ball control. As long as we have the football, they can’t score, so we want to get them back in the huddle and keep ourselves in the huddle offensively.”

In last season’s game at Harding Stadium, Big Red built what appeared to be a comfortable lead only to see the Tornadoes rally behind quarterback Alec Sayre. Steubenville was able to hang on for a 57-45 victory, though.

Sayre, a 6-0, 190-pound junior, has thrown for 1,409 yards and 11 touchdowns in five games. He has completed 113 of his 192 attempts and been intercepted five times. He’s also Dover’s leading rusher with 127 yards on 46 attempts.

Junior Kaden Folkert (6-0, 165) and senior Dre Hess (5-11, 170) both have caught 26 Sayre aerials. Folkert has compiled 371 yards and two scores, while Hess has 357 and five touchdowns. Ian Sexton has 21 receptions.

“Their quarterback is very good, and their receivers are very good,” Saccoccia said. “On top of that, the offensive line does a very good job of protecting the quarterback. Defensively, they are stingy.”

Dan Ifft is in his 23rd season as Dover’s coach. The Tornadoes are 3-2 following a tough 28-21 loss to Tallmadge last week. Dover also dropped a 34-24 decision to Akron East, which, like Tallmadge, is 4-1. The wins have come over Cleveland JFK 45-0, Uniontown Lake 30-28 and Wooster 28-23.

“Since I have been following Dover, this is by far the toughest schedule they have played,” Saccoccia said. “Uniontown Lake is always solid, and Akron East is loaded with athletes. The schedule keeps getting harder and harder for them. As always, Dover will be a well-coached team that plays solid fundamental football.”

Big Red moved to 5-0 for the third consecutive season thanks to a 55-20 win over Pittsburgh USO. In that game, Saccoccia’s club compiled 464 rushing yards and scored all of its touchdowns on the ground. Senior Jacob Bernard finished with 225 yards and four scores.

Bernard is now Big Red’s top rusher with 341 yards on 45 totes and five touchdowns. Jonathon Blackmon has contributed 291 and also scored five times. Caleb Mitchell has 205.

Senior quarterback Javon Davis is 50-of-78 passing (a completion rate of 64 percent) for 791 yards and an area best 11 touchdowns.

Gino Pierro has 12 catches to lead Big Red and Johnny Agresta 10. Offensively, Big Red is averaging 467 yards per outing and 41 points. The defense is allowing 168 yards and 14 points.

Saccoccia pointed out his Big Red will need to have a good hands team on kickoffs this week because of Dover’s onside kick threat.

“They tried several on us last year, and we need to be ready,” he said. “So far, they have tried 11 this season and recovered five. We have to be prepared.”

The veteran coach added that his team continues working hard and looks to improve every week.

“There’s no real time table on improving,” he said. “Of course, you don’t want to peak too soon, but I’m happy as long as we are constantly improving.

“Right now and for the past few practices, we’re working on technique both offensively and defensively. We keep working on the little things. You know the rule — if you take care of the little things, the little things will take care of the big things.”

For Big Red, the Dover contest is its last road game of the regular season.

“We don’t even mention the road,” Saccoccia said. “We play Dover this week; that’s it. People like to talk about road games, preparing to go on the road, things like that. We’re just focused on preparing to play Dover.”