Big Red’s goal to keep improving
Saccoccia close to reaching major milestone
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STEUBENVILLE -- With the program's 21st consecutive trip to the Ohio playoffs already in hand, Big Red will be looking to keep improving when it welcomes University School to Harding Stadium Friday for the regular-season finale.
"At this time of year, if you are not getting better, you are getting worse," Big Red coach Reno Saccoccia said. "No team is staying the same.
"Teams are hurt, banged up and tired. The team that can rebound, get their wits about them and get fresh will have the best chance in the playoffs."
Steubenville, 7-2, has won two straight since dropping a tough decision to Columbus DeSales. Big Red is seventh in the loaded Division III, Region 9 field. University, based in Hunting Valley near Cleveland, will bring a 1-6 mark to town. The Preppers started the season with a victory over Columbus Academy but have dropped six in a row. However, University still has a shot at finishing in the top 16 of Division II, Region 5.
University losses have come to unbeaten South Range, Bay, Kiski Prep, Gilmour Academy, Mogadore and Bedford. Those schools have a combined record of 34-13.
"We win and we are in -- at least most likely," said University coach Ben Malbasa, the son of Steubenville native Steve Malbasa. "So, we have a lot to play for this week."
The toe will meet the leather at 7 p.m. for the third all-time meeting between the schools. Big Red won the previous two encounters.
"This has been a weird season for our team -- we lost out on playing our games in Weeks 4 and 9, and we have been in almost all of our games (Week 8 got away from us)," Malbasa said. "We are a young team with one senior on the offensive line, sophomores at quarterback and running back and two junior receivers. We have two underclassmen at safety, a junior inside linebacker and our best defensive end is a junior as well.
"That said, this is one of my favorite groups I have ever coached. They work very hard together and I am excited about our opportunity to finish strong by competing this week."
Joey Zigman is University's sophomore signal caller. He has thrown for 662 yards and four touchdowns. He's completing 56 percent of his passes. Jackson Boland also saw time at QB for the Preppers and threw for 457 yards and five scores.
Brian Kellon leads the University receiving corps with 35 receptions for 572 yards and six touchdowns. Bryce Hodge has caught 33 passes for 483 yards and three scores.
Darrius Forrest is the top ground gainer (58 carries for 226 yards) followed by Quint Hanna (188 yards on 72 attempts).
"As young as we are, our senior leaders have been awesome in terms of their commitment and effort," Malbasa said. "Senior Alex Weinberg is an all-state caliber linebacker, Hodge is a play-making receiver and Gianfranco Calabrese is as tough of a lineman as I have coached."
Offensively, University is averaging 174 passing yards per contest and 76 on the ground. The defense allows 178 rushing yards and 118 through the air.
"They have had an up and down year and have lost a few games due to COVID," Saccoccia said. "They're a young team and they've been through the gamut with games being canceled and trying to schedule games a few days before they are played. No coach would want to go through that."
In nine games, Big Red's offense is averaging 31 points an outing, 255 rushing yards and 160 passing. The defense, meanwhile, allows 15 points a game, just 96 rushing yards and 122 via the air.
Junior quarterback Phaeton Hill has thrown for 1,441 yards and 12 touchdowns. Senior Inky Jones leads the receivers with 18 catches for 451 yards (an average of 25.1 yards a grab) and seven touchdowns. Junior Tylik Sims has 10 catches. Juniors Ty Pierce and Hakim Edwards have eight apiece.
The ground attack is led by junior Spencer Ostovich (603 yards on 88 trips and four touchdowns). Junior Gavin Bozica has 375 yards on 64 carries and sophomore Elijah Mullins has compiled 203 yards with his 51 attempts.
Ostovich and Mullins both ran for 100 yards in the Week 9victory over Youngstown Cardinal Mooney.
"Playing in Harding Stadium against Big Red is always a special privilege," Malbasa said. "Not only is it the best venue in the state for a football game but playing there means competing against a team that plays exceptionally hard and bring incredible passion to the field.
"Our challenge is to match this on Friday."
A Big Red victory on Friday will give Saccoccia his 400th career win.
"I want to apologize to the football gods, Big Red nation and anyone who is interested in what may go on Friday," Saccoccia said. "I'd rather focus on our seniors and have them finish up their regular season strong.
"The first thing I think about is all the people I have to thank for making it possible. I will do that with personal letters. That said let's wait until the season is over until we talk about it again."
Malbasa said knowing that Saccoccia is going for 400 wins and hoping to delay the celebration for a week makes Friday's game "even more special for me."
"Many people know about coach's success on the field but I also know about the thousands of lives he has affected and also know how much his approach has affected me," Malbasa said. "If not for growing up watching his teams, I doubt I would have ever developed the passion to be a teacher and coach. I can point to many things we do as echoes of what I have observed watching his Big Red teams."
Prior to Friday's kick, Big Red will recognize its 12 seniors. They are Rodney James, Niko Suriano, Jones, Chris Schiappa, Brandon Kinney, Kye Fleming, Peyton Tuttle, Jaylin Harris, Greg Mamula, Jaylin Gray, Blaze Wile and Chad Gardner.
"This has been a really group of seniors," Saccoccia said. "There's not a whole lot of them but it's a good group. These seniors did not miss a workout and have been dedicated to the Big Red football program.
"They have given us good leadership this year. Hopefully some of our younger guys who are playing will learn something about leadership, playing with bumps and bruises and just loving the game of football from our seniors."