STEUBENVILLE — Steubenville Catholic Central will be honoring the 1993 Division V state champion football team and the 1994 Division IV state champion baseball team on their 30th anniversary at the annual Hall of Fame Ceremony scheduled for Sept. 28 at Catholic Central High School.

The 1993-1994 school year is without doubt one of the greatest sport years, if not the greatest, in Central history, event organizers explained.

A total of eight CCHS Hall of Fame members — Mike Orlando, Donald Thorn, Mike Kuczykowski, Bob Sismondo, Dave Connor, JoJo Aulet, David A. Tuttle and Benji Clause — played on one or both of the teams. It was a collection of talent rarely seen at a school the size of Central.

The football team was led by Coach Gregg Bahen, the winningest football coach in school history, and an outstanding group of assistant coaches. The team became the second in school history and the first since the playoff system was implemented to win a state title. Central also became the second school in the Ohio Valley to capture an OHSAA playoff championship.

Coming off a 7-3 record and an OVAC title in 1992, the Crusaders began the season with high expectations, but found themselves at 3-2 midway through the season. A star-studded backfield comprised of Hall of Famers Orlando, Thorn and Kuczykowski, led the Crusaders on a five-game winning streak to secure another OVAC crown and the third playoff berth in school history.

After downing Howard East Knox 20-15 in the first round, the Crusaders advanced to the state semifinals with a 21-14 win over Lorain Clearview. A 19-15 win over perennial powerhouse Newark Catholic before a sellout crowd propelled Central into a matchup with Liberty Center for the state crown.

In the state title game at Massillon, Central went ahead 14-7 midway through the fourth quarter, before Liberty Center scored in the waning seconds to send the game into overtime.

The Crusaders regained the lead on a field goal on the first possession in overtime, before the defense secured the OHSAA Division V State Championship by forcing and recovering a fumble on the Tigers’ first play from scrimmage.

The Crusaders won four close playoff games on the way to their title by playing great defense and controlling the ball on offense. Winning the state championship was a team effort made possible by great players, excellent coaching, and the support of the Steubenville community, hall officials added.

The 1994 Crusaders captured the Ohio Division IV baseball championship, making Catholic Central just the fifth school in OHSAA history to win a state championship in football and baseball during the same school year. After going 24-3 and earning a berth in the Division III state semifinals the previous year, the Crusaders began the 1994 season with a state title in their sights.

Coach Craig Farrar, in his second year as coach, with quality assistants and a veteran team made it clear from day one that nothing less than a state title was acceptable. The regular season tough schedule was developed to prepare the team for the rigors of tournament play and a run for a state championship.

The Crusaders rolled to an OVAC title, breezed through both the sectional and district play to earn a berth in the regional tournament in Zanesville. Central defeated Morral Ridgedale 8-0 in the opening game of regional play and then eliminated Columbiana 15-6 in the regional finals.

Making the school’s fourth trip to the state tournament, the Crusaders joined the 1965 team as finalists by knocking off Fort Jennings 4-2 in the semifinals in Columbus. The Crusaders rallied from an early 2-0 deficit for a convincing 7-2 triumph over Crestline in the title game at Ohio State University’s Trautman Field, earning Central its first state crown on the diamond and second OHSAA title of the school year.

It was an impressive run through tournament play with Sismondo and K.C. Kirlingitis making quality starts one after the other. The pitchers were supported by solid defense behind them, especially from all-stater Aulet, third baseman Orlando and shortstop Kuczykowski. Every batter in the Crusader lineup was a threat when coming to the plate.

It was a dominant, impressive run to a state championship, organizers explained.

Doors for the dinner open at 5 p.m. To make reservations or for additional information about the dinner, e-mail Alisha Teramana, marketing and events manager, at ateramana@steubenvillecatholiccentral.org. The award ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. in Lanman Hall.