Playoff time at Harding Stadium
Big Red opens 2023 playoffs against Carrollton
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STEUBENVILLE -- Big Red's quest to repeat at Division IV, Region 15 champions begins Friday with an opening round playoff game against Carrollton.
The opening kick for the second all-time meeting between the schools is set for 7 p.m.
Coach Reno Saccoccia's 9-1 Big Red is the top seed in the region. Carrollton, which is 6-4, earned the 16th seed.
Steubenville stretched its winning streak to nine last week by whipping Louisville 41-8 in the regular season finale. The Big Red jumped out to a 35-0 lead at the intermission
"First I want to congratulate our coaches and players for the way they came on after out opening loss to Ursuline," Saccoccia said. "I thought we played a schedule that put us to work every week. I thought we prepared well for it and now our reward is having the opportunity to play a home playoff game.
"We are in the second season now and I hope our players are more mature for the first game of the playoffs than they were for the season opener. Hopefully, we have everyone focused and mentally prepared now to play a playoff schedule.
"I was really happy with the way we finished the regular season -- a nine-game streak that culminated in the win at Louisville. I thought we had a very good first quarter and first half. Although it was a running clock in the second half, I thought the guy that played did a really good job."
Carrollton completed its regular season with a 34-0 victory over rival Minerva.
In earning their first shutout of the season, the Warriors outgained their Carroll County rivals 332-150.
Coach Jim Tsilimos' squad started the season with a double overtime victory over Akron Manchester before dropping three straight, falling to Philo, Ridgewood and Garaway. The other loss came at the hands of 9-1 West Branch. Carrollton averages 24 points per game and allows 24.3.
"Carrollton is very well-coached," Saccoccia said. "Their coach has been at it a long time. He is persistent at what he does. They don't do a whole lot but what they do, they try to get it to perfection. They stick with their game plan.
"Even in the games they lost, they were in them until the fourth quarter and that's what their offense and defense do--allows them to stay in a game until the fourth quarter.
"They have size, they have tough kids. They are just tough all the way around. Their physicality is always there and so are their desire and determination. We have to make sure we do the three things we want to do -- protect the football, avoid pre-snap penalties and finish as strong as we can."
The two squads met in the opening round of the 2022 playoffs and Big Red, after spotting Carrollton an early six-point lead, rolled to a 33-13 victory.
The Warriors are a run-oriented offense. During the regular season, Carrollton ran for 2,014 yards on 447 carries. On the other hands, the Warriors compiled just 614 yards via the air.
Senior quarterback Jacob Whitmore (6-0, 195) has attempted 87 passes, completing 44. He has thrown for eight touchdowns.
Senior Ryan Kiko (5-9, 153) leads the Warrior ground attack. He finished the regular season with 739 yards on 134 carries. He found the end zone nine times. Whitmore has rushed for 482 yards. He has nine rushing touchdowns. Junior Levi Crider (5-10, 216) contributed 492 rushing yards and six scores.
Senior guard Ty Pridemore (6-6, 247) anchors the Carrollton offensive line.
"I'm proud of our seniors," Tsilimos said following the Minerva game. "They deserve to have a shot at the playoffs. It has been a great year for our seniors."
Heading into the season, one of Big Red's main goals was to win enough games in order to potentially host two playoff games.
"We have a home playoff game and we have to win it in order to get a second," Saccoccia said. "I was happy with the goals we set, now we have to reset our goals and hopefully we can be successful with them.
"Right now, our focus is on preparing for Carrollton. I'm not looking past today's practice."
The winner of the Steubenville-Carrollton game will advance to face the survivor of the eight-nine matchup between Columbus East and Newark Licking Valley.
Big Red's offense is averaging 32 points an outing while the defense allows 15 points.
Senior quarterback Aydan Manning has thrown for 1,630 yards, hitting on 126 of his 190 passing attempts. He has 14 touchdown passes.
His favorite target is senior Isaac Hill -- 60 catches for 885 yards and seven six-points. Senior Lee Anthony Sewell has 16 receptions and senior Sabron Felton 15.
Senior Savier Faulks, despite missing two games, continues to lead Steubenville in rushing with 777 yards on 125 carries. He has scored 13 times.
Playoff notes:
≤ Big Red fans are reminded that tickets for OHSAA playoff games can only be purchased online at www.OHSAA.org/tickets. The cost is $12 for adults and $9 for students with a fee assessed to each purchase.
≤ There is an option to purchase tickets at the game with cash only. The cost for tickets at the gate is $15. This will be the process for every game in the first round rounds of the playoffs.
≤ The OHSAA is allowing reserved seating for host teams. Big Red announced season ticket holders can sit in their regular seats as long as they bring their season ticket pass, though the pass does not grant admission to the game, all attending will have to buy an OHSAA playoff ticket for each game.
≤ Those wishing to attend the Big Red playoff game Friday and needing assistance with the online purchasing process can visit the Steubenville High School Athletic Department office for assistance between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today.
≤ Big Red is making its 36th all-time appearance in the playoffs and its 23rd consecutive. Overall, Steubenville has a playoff record of 73-31.
≤ Carrollton is in the post-season for the sixth time. The Warriors have qualified four straight season. Carrollton sports a playoff record of 4-5.