HUDDLED UP — Big Red is back at home for another big game this week as they welcome Erie McDowell to Harding Stadium on Friday night. - Andrew Grimm

STEUBENVILLE — Big Red has been tested by opponents from the north the last two weeks.

This week will be a third.

After grinding out a win over Farrell (Pa.) two weeks ago and a thrilling comeback victory over Canisius (N.Y.) last week, Steubenville will entertain Erie McDowell on Friday night at Harding Stadium.

McDowell is the biggest school on Big Red’s schedule, classified as a Division I school by OHSAA standards.

While the Trojans, a perennial power in Pennsylvania, are perhaps not where they would have wanted to be record wise coming to town with a 3-5 mark, they have played an incredibly difficult schedule.

Their losses have come to opponents with a combined record of 29-9.

“McDowell is a good program,” Big Red head coach Reno Saccoccia said. “They play a really, really competitive schedule if you look at it. They play good football teams and they’re a good football team. They’ve just had a couple breaks here and there that didn’t go their way.”

McDowell is also no stranger to the Buckeye State. Not only did they make the trip to Harding Stadium last year, a game in which Big Red pulled away for a victory, they have played five Ohio teams this year, with Steubenville this week being No. 6.

They are 0-5 in their games against Ohio teams this year — falling at home to Medina Highland and Mentor and on the road at Chardon, Warren Harding and last week at Austintown-Fitch.

The Trojans enter the match up averaging 24.9 points per game and allowing an average of 30.9.

While the teams did meet last year, both have very different rosters this time around and Saccoccia knows the Trojans will show some different looks.

“Number one, they always come up with something different,” Saccoccia said. “They have their fundamental offense and their basic offense and defense. But they always come up with something different to keep you off guard.

“Last year, they had a really, really good tailback. This year, they split time between their quarterback and tailback on runs. Their quarterbacks are very good passers. They’re going to make us defend the entire field. We might be one of the smaller teams that they play this year.”

Big Red, by virtue of five-straight wins, has climbed its way to No. 6 in Division III, Region 11 with two games to go. The top four get a first round bye and the top eight host at least one round, with the top 12 qualifying for the post season this year.

“It’ll be a big game for us, but not just because of the playoffs and standings,” Saccoccia said. “It’s about where we’ve started from and where we’ve gotten to. We just want to keep the attitude and the atmosphere the way that it’s been and continue to work hard.”