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No. 1 Big Red rolls to 9-0 record

Steubenville’s Jo Jo Brown rushes against Cardinal O’Hara Friday. (Photo by Michael D. McElwain)

STEUBENVILLE — Five players crossed the goal line Friday as Big Red rolled to a 48-16 homecoming victory over Cardinal O’Hara inside Harding Stadium to clinch a first round home playoff game.

Senior Jonathon Blackmon and sophomore Taveon Crawford had two touchdowns each as Steubenville, Ohio’s top-ranked Division IV squad, improved to 9-0, posted its 13th straight regular season victory and captured the program’s 800th career win.

“It was a very good win for us and a great way to celebrate homecoming,” Big Red coach Reno Saccoccia said. “We’re still working hard, we’re still focused on improving and we continue to move forward.”

Senior tailback Jacob Bernard got the scoring started when he went over from 6 yards away to cap Big Red’s initial possession. Following a blocked punt by two-way senior lineman Quentin Moore, Steubenville struck again. This time, Blackmon bulled over from a yard out.

The score moved to 21-0 late in the opening quarter on an 18-yard pass from senior quarterback Javon Davis to Blackmon. Crawford’s initial score, coming on a 4-yard burst, made it 28-0 at the intermission.

Saccoccia’s crew, which will host University School from the Cleveland area to close its regular season, went up 35-0 when junior quarterback Clayton Criss dove in from a yard away. It was his first touchdown of the season. The drive featured a nifty 55-yard sprint by Crawford.

Just as the OHSAA mercy rule kicked it, O’Hara got on the board. Nasir Benton found Jermaine Haynes Jr. running free in the Big Red secondary for a 55-yard touchdown.

Big Red quickly responded and scored again on Criss’ 5-yard pass to junior Nicco Bracone. The touchdown was Bracone’s first of the campaign. Benton then broke loose for a 64-yard sprint against Big Red’s backups to make it 42-16.

The game’s final score came on a nifty 59-yard run by Crawford.

“All wins are great, but when you get a chance to play a lot of kids and they get a chance to play under the lights in Harding Stadium in front of our fans, it’s a good night for everyone,” Saccoccia said, who began substituting early in the second quarter. We played 88 kids tonight, and that’s something we’re proud to say.”

Steubenville finished with 498 yards of offense, 389 coming on the ground. Crawford had a sensational game for Big Red, toting the pigskin 23 times for 296 yards and his two touchdowns. Bernard added 69 yards in a quarter of work.

Davis completed 7-of-8 passing attempts before giving way to Criss.

Coming into the game, Benton was O’Hara’s top receiver. He was pressed into duty at quarterback due to an injury to the regular signal caller. The speedy Benton responded with an impressive performance. He finished with 277 yards of offense, 174 rushing on 19 carries and 103 passing.

University School will bring a 7-2 mark to Steubenville next week for its date with Big Red. The Division III Preppers rolled to a 38-21 win over Garfield Heights Friday. University is coached by Ben Malbasa, the son of Steubenville native Steve Malbasa.

Steubenville 48, Cardinal O’Hara 16

O’Hara 0-0-16-0 — 16

Big Red 21-7-14-6 — 48

BIG RED: Bernard 6 run (Phillips kick)

BIG RED: Blackmon 1 run (Phillips kick)

BIG RED: Blackmon 18 pass from Davis (Phillips kick)

BIG RED: Crawford 4 run (Phillips kick)

BIG RED: Criss 1 run (Phillips kick)

O’HARA: Haynes 55 pass from Benton (Benton run)

BIG RED: Bracone 5 pass from Criss (Phillips kick)

O’HARA: Benton 64 run (Lewis run)

BIG RED: Crawford 59 run (kick blocked)

RUSHING: Cardinal O’Hara 29-186-1 (Benton 19-174-1; Broadnax 5-(-9); Lewis 5-21); Big Red 42-389-5 (Bernard 8-69-1; Criss 4-7-1; Rice 1-0; Crawford 23-296-2; Blackmon 2-8-1; Biacco 2-7; Wickham 1-1; McShan 1-1; McCartney 1-0).

PASSING: Cardinal O’Hara 6-19-103-1-2 (all by Benton); Big Red 11-12-109-2-0 (Davis 7-8-79-1; Criss 3-3-15-1; Taylor 1-1-15).

RECEIVING: Cardinal O’Hara 6-103-1 (Moss 4-7; Haynes 2-96-1); Big Red 11-109-2 (Jones 2-3; A. Taylor 2-24; Blackmon 2-35-1; Zane 1-17; Rice 1-1; Bracone 1-5-1; Francis 1-15; Haney 1-9).

FIRST DOWNS: Cardinal O’Hara 15; Big Red 21.

PENALTIES-YARDS: Cardinal O’Hara 4-35; Big Red 8-63.

PUNTS: Cardinal O’Hara 3-12; Big Red 1-38.

FUMBLES-LOST: Cardinal O’Hara 1-1; Big Red 1-1.

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