Big Red rolls into New Philly
Steubenville looks for 2-0 start with first road trip
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STEUBENVILLE -- Big Red will be looking to even up the all-time series with New Philadelphia when it invades Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium Friday.
The Quakers hold a 7-6-1 lead in the series, which was renewed in 2017 after a hiatus of nearly 90 years. Big Red used two quick first quarter scores to earn a 41-7 victory in 2021.
Both teams are coming off Week 1 triumphs. Reno Saccoccia's Big Red blanked Louisville 21-0 while the Quakers of Mike Johnson collected a 7-2 win over Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy.
Friday's kick is set for 7 p.m.
"This is a typical New Philadelphia football team," Saccoccia said. "They love the game of football and they play it the way it is meant to be played. They are coached and they play hard.
This has become a good rivalry for us."
The Quakers struggled offensively in its opener before sophomore quarterback Keaton Fausel led a drive late in the third quarter. He ended the march with a 9-yard touchdown run early in the fourth.
Fausel, 6-0, 170, collected 61 rushing yards on 15 carries and completed eight of his 14 passes for 57 yards.
He is joined in the backfield by seniors Trevor Bean (5-10, 180) and Elijah Forrest (6-0, 210).
Bean rushed for more than 500 yards in 2021 as a backup tailback.
Seniors Willy Wallace (5-8, 160) and Shawnie Deetz (5-10, 160) are Fausel's top wide receiver targets. Senior Konnor Tetzloff (6-4, 200) starts at tight end and is joined there by junior Owen Schoelles (6-6, 200).
Seniors Cameron Clarkson (6-2, 280), Bryant Korns (6-3, 215) and Tate Kasper (6-0, 225) anchor the offensive line. Junior Garrett Dillon Rine (6-2, 260) and sophomore Boston Crowell (6-5, 230) also start in the trenches.
In his first season at the helm, Johnson guided the Quakers to a 6-5 record and a berth in the Division III postseason. New Philadelphia now is competing in the Ohio Cardinal Conference along with Ashland, Lexington, Mansfield Madison, Mansfield Senior, Mount Vernon, West
Holmes and Wooster.
"Compete and finish, we've been talking to the guys about that and how important it is, because in a game like this, that was everything," Johnson said following the CVCA contest. "It wasn't pretty, but it's a win and an important win, and we'll build off of it from here."
Entering the season, senior Kurtis Tetzloff (6-0, 180) was expected to be New Philadelphia's starting quarterback but Fausel got the start instead. Kurtis Tetzloff did start in the defensive secondary.
"They are much more balanced than they were a year ago," Saccoccia said of the Quakers. "They have an extra running threat with the sophomore quarterback and two outstanding tailbacks. The offensive line has good size and a number of veteran starters. "Defensively in the opener, they bent a little but didn't break. They played hard and shut out their opponent. New Philly is a solid football team."
In its opener, Big Red's offense compiled 389 total yards (233 through the air and 156 on the ground). Senior quarterback Phaeton Hill completed 11 of his 19 passes, three completions going for scores. Touchdown tosses went to junior Isaac Hill (19 yards) senior Gavin Bozica (80 yards)
and senior Hakim Edwards (55 yards). I. Hill finished with four receptions while Bozica and junior Jace Kernahan had two apiece.
Junior Savier Faulks led the ground attack with 67 yards on seven carries. Bozica added 55.
Defensively, the Big Red held Louisville to 110 yards of total offense, recorded an interception and recovered two fumbles.
"We made a lot of little mistakes but every mistake we made is fixable," Saccoccia said when looking back at the opener. "I was happy with our performance period because of the enthusiasm we played with overall. We made some mistakes but we played with a lot of enthusiasm.
"We came up with plays when they counted. We left some on the field but we came through when we needed to come through. This week, we're focused on everything. We want every group of players along with the coaches to work to improve."
Friday's game is one of three Big Red will play on the road this season. Saccoccia's club also will visit Wheeling Park and Youngstown Cardinal Mooney.
"Of course, you'd always rather play at home but I think our players are excited about going on the road and dealing with the challenges that presents."
TRAVEL REMINDER
Big Red fans planning to attend Friday's game should remember U.S. 250 is closed to traffic
from the Route 250/Route 151 intersection in Harrison County to the Route 250/Route 800
intersection near Dennison in Tuscarawas County.
The official detour is U.S. Route 22 west to Ohio Route 800 north back to Route 250. Signs are posted for the official detour.