BOARDMAN — Heading into Friday’s contest at Spartan Stadium, Reno Saccoccia wanted his Big Red football team to play its “best game so far.”

The Steubenville defense certainly accomplished that mission. The offense, on the other hand, did just enough and Ohio’s top-ranked Division IV squad rolled to a 28-0 victory over Boardman.

With the victory, Big Red improves to 4-0 while the Division II Spartans fall to 2-2. Steubenville’s win squares the series between the schools at 7-7.

“It was a real good win,” Saccoccia said. “We didn’t do a good job in the red zone tonight and I’m disappointed with that performance. I’m happy with the physical part of our game. We were a physical team for 48 minutes but we didn’t always play smart.

“Defensively, we played our best game so far this year but as a team, we haven’t played our best game yet because our offense didn’t carry its share of the burden. When you come to Boardman to play, you have to come ready to play. We didn’t take advantage of some opportunities offensively but our defense gave us opportunities.”

Big Red’s defense held Boardman to just 117 yards of total offense (only four came via the ground). The D recorded five quarterback sacks, forced a fumble and picked off three passes.

The visitors struck first following an interception by Alec Taylor at the Spartan 45. The junior returned his pick to the 25. Five snaps later, Javon Davis hit Charles Reeves in the back of the end zone for a 15-yard score. Reeves made a leaping one hand grab on the score. Austen Duggan booted the extra point.

Steubenville had two golden opportunities to score following the Reeves touchdown.

Ny’Juan Robinson’s sack of Boardman quarterback Mike O’Horo stopped the next Spartan possession. Big Red took over at its own 45.

Davis and Reeves connected for 17 yards but unfortunately the 6-6 senior lost the handle on the ball, Boardman recovering.

Zane Zimish, who delivered several big plays in the first half, blocked a Boardman punt following the fumble. Big Red had the ball at the Spartan 19 but again couldn’t capitalize.

Midway through the second quarter, the score moved to 14-0 on a 41-yard pass from Davis to Dujuan Jones. The scoring strike came on fourth down. Steubenville’s possession started after its defense stopped a Boardman drive with back to back quarterback sacks by Robinson and Reeves.

Boardman mounted a scoring threat just before the half, moving from its own 27 to the Steubenville 27. Zimish, however, delivered again, putting a big hit on O’Horo and forcing a fumble.

Early in the third, the teams exchanged turnovers, Nick Scott getting a pick for Big Red and the Spartans recovering a fumble. Following the Big Red miscue, Boardman mounted a time-consuming drive. The hosts moved from their own 33 to the Steubenville 6, converting on fourth down twice.

The march came to a halt when Scott delivered his second interception of the night, this one in the end zone. Big Red then marched 80 yards for its third score, this one coming on a 21-yard Johnny Agresta to Reeves pass.

Shay Wallace finished Big Red’s scoring when he avoided several would be tacklers and sprinted 15 yards for a touchdown.

“Our defense was just outstanding tonight,” Saccoccia stated. “But, when we get in the red zone, when we get turnovers, when we get opportunities, we have to take advantage of them.”

Big Red compiled 138 rushing yards and 171 through the air. Jacob Bernard paced the ground game with 82 yards. Davis completed nine passes for 120 and Agresta four for 51. Reeves have four catches and Pookie Petteway three.

“Our offense was nice tonight but to be a great offense, you have to score when you get the ball inside the 30,” Saccoccia stated. “I can’t say something nice about something that has me upset. When we get the ball in the red zone, we have to score—end of story.”

Steubenville returns home next week to face Dover.

Big Red 28, Boardman 0

Steubenville           7    7    0   14  —  28

Boardman             0    0    0    0  —    0

S: Reeves 15 pass from Davis (Duggan kick)

S: Jones 41 pass from Davis (Duggan kick)

S: Reeves 21 pass from Agresta (Duggan kick)

S: Wallace 15 run (Duggan kick)

RUSHING:  Big Red 30-138-1 (Davis 3-(-3); Agresta 2-12; Zorne 2-17; McGhee 4-5; Bernard 14-82; J. Petteway 1-0; Wallace 4-25-2); Boardman 27-14 (O’Horo 10-(-13); Adu-Poku 14-19; Jama 1-0; Perez 1-8).

PASSING:  Big Red 13-25-171-3 (Davis 9-15-120-2; Agresta 4-10-51-1); Boardman 12-28-113-0-3 (all by O’Horo).

RECEIVING:  Big Red 13-171 (Reeves 4-60-2; P. Petteway 3-23; Taylor 2-13; Jones 3-44-1; Zorne 1-5; Blackmon 1-16); Boardman 12-113 (Koontz 4-44; Strines 2-15; Barone 3-30; Stilliana 3-14; Jankowski 1-8).

FIRST DOWNS:  Big Red 16; Boardman 11.

PENALTIES-YARDS:  Big Red 7-65; Boardman 2-20.

PUNTS:  Big Red 2-41; Boardman 6-28.

FUMBLES-LOST:  Big Red 2-2; Boardman 1-1.