Big Red has tough opening opponent
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STEUBENVILLE -- Big Red’s opening night opponent will be far from a walk in the park.
After a long summer of hard work, the Big Red football team will make the walk up the ramp into what is sure to be a packed Harding Stadium for the first time in 2026 on Friday night to host Painesville Riverside.
Riverside is a new opponent to the schedule this year, but is coming off a playoff season last fall.
“We just know about them what we have seen on film,” Saccoccia said. “We don’t know anything personally about them, just what we see on film from last year and this year is what all preparations will be made from.”
What he does know is the Beavers will be a tough opponent.
“This is probably one of the best teams that we’ve played in an opening game since the Penn Hills game (in 2018),” Saccoccia said. “They remind me of Penn Hills in a lot of ways.”
His respect for the Beavers is for good reason. Riverside went 7-4 a season ago and have a lot back.
Quarterback Bo Bradenoff had 1,264 yards and 11 passing touchdowns a year ago, rushing for 417 yards and four more endzone trips. He was the second leading rusher on the team.
They will be looking to replace their leading rusher, graduated K McCaleb who had over 1,700 yards and 25 TDs, and over 2,000 all-purpose yards, but have their leading receiver back in David Seibert, who hauled in 21 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Alexavier Calogar, a linebacker that led the team with two sacks, two fumble recoveries, 14 tackles for loss and 101 tackles, is back to lead the defense for the Beavers.
While openers are special, Saccoccia knows it’s more special if the end of the night the team is celebrating on the way back down the ramp.
“It will be as special as the final outcome,” he said. “We just have to stay focused and each day improve on our game plan. On Thursday, we’ve got to throw out what we’re not doing very well. Whatever we’re doing the best on Thursday is what we’ve got to bring into the game Friday.”
The opening kick is set for 7 p.m.