Football Xtra

Big Red ready for Mooney

STEUBENVILLE -- Team unity, team work ethic and team chemistry -- those are the three elements Reno Saccoccia is focused on as he prepares his Big Red for Friday's battle with always-tough Youngstown Cardinal Mooney.

"I'm really concerned with just Big Red football right now and us getting better," he said.

"Monday and Tuesday we worked on us in practice. Today (Wednesday) and Thursday we will work on Mooney."

Both teams will bring 1-1 marks into the 13th all-time meeting between the tradition rich programs. Mooney holds an 8-4 series lead but Steubenville has won three in a row, including a 28-7 road victory in 2022. Friday's game will be just the fourth regular season meeting between the schools.

After falling to Youngstown Ursuline in its opener, Big Red regrouped and pinned a 29-14 defeat on New Philadelphia. The Cardinals clipped Lake Catholic 29-26 in their opener before falling to Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph 47-21.

"It wasn't a bounce back game for us," Saccoccia said when discussing the New Philly contest. "I actually thought we played better the first game than we did against New Philadelphia. The key was we didn't have turnovers -- that shows you how important turnovers are.

"We improved on the turnovers. They are not only part of the game, they are a critical part of the game. We have to continue improving in all areas of the game.

"I thought our intensity was better the first week than it was the second week. As a football coach, I thought the Ursuline loss took a little bit out of us. Sometimes coming off a loss you react in a very positive way and sometimes it's tough to get over a loss. That's why people say you don't one loss to equal two losses and we were able to avoid that."

Senior tailback Savier Faulks sparked Steubenville's offense in the win over the Quakers, collecting 145 yards on 19 carries and scoring three touchdowns. For the season, he has 259 yards on 40 trips.

Big Red finished with 382 yard of offense, 268 coming on the ground and 114 through the air.

Senior quarterback Aydan Manning completed 13 of his 21 passing attempts. To date, he has thrown for 315 yards, hitting on 34 of his 50 attempts.

Senior Isaac Hill tops Big Red's receivers with 13 grab for 169. Fellow senior Lee Anthony Sewell is next with six catches.

In the loss to VASJ, Mooney surrendered 486 rushing yards. Amani Powell rushed for 258 yards and scored four touchdowns. Lamar "Bo" Jackson added 129 yards on 13 trips and crossed the goal line twice.

Offensively, the Cardinals could never sustain a consistent rushing attack. Senior quarterback Ashton O'Brien did throw for 275 yards and two scores.

"This is a typical Mooney football team," Saccoccia said. "They are physical, talented and tough.

In addition, they are a very well-coached team so you just don't go on talent. When kids are well-coached, sometimes they over any adversity they might encounter.

"We have been in some adverse situations at times but through hard work, good coaching and great senior leadership, you are able to overcome those situations. We are looking to go up against a very well-coached and talented football team Friday night."