PLAYOFF TIME — The Big Red took the field at Harding Stadium last Friday to end the regular season and begin the playoffs again this Friday, hosting Delaware Licking Valley in the Division III, Region 11 postseason. Start the playoffs. – Andrew Grimm
STEUBENVILLE — This is the 37th time in 44 years that Ohio State has employed a playoff format, and the 24th consecutive season, the Big Red is preparing for a playoff game.
Steubenville, which finished second in Division III, Region 11, will host No. 15 seed Buckeye Valley, Delaware, in its season opener Friday night at Harding Stadium, ending the state’s longest playoff winning streak. Start recording.
“Right now everyone is 0-0.” Big Red head coach Leno Saccoccia said. “There are 700 schools in the state of Ohio, and they all start a day or two with the same goal, and they all want to make the playoffs. Once they make the playoffs, they reset their goals. , we’ve reset our goals too, and hopefully we can get the same amount of effort and focus that we’ve been getting over the past four weeks.
“Their preparation and effort was great and they brought it back to the field. I hope they continue to do that.”
Steubenville finished the regular season 10-0 for the first time since 2017, but the province counted only nine of those wins into the computer’s point calculations, excluding the win over Huron Heights, Ont., in Canada.
In postseason history, the Big Red has an overall playoff record of 77-32. They reached the state semifinals in each of the past two seasons while in Division IV.
Conversely, all of the Barons’ playoff history is recent, with the program’s three playoff appearances all coming in the last four years. This is Buckeye Valley’s third straight playoff appearance and the program is looking for its first playoff win.
The 6-4 Barons have wins over Heath, Pataskala Licking Heights, Columbus-Hamilton Township, Columbus-Bexley, Columbus St. Charles and Whitehall Yearling. The losers were Delaware Hayes, Caledonia River Valley, Columbus Bishop Lady and Gahanna Columbus Academy.
These losses are to teams with a combined record of 27 wins and 13 losses, including Division I opponents.
The Barons averaged 23.5 points per game and allowed 20.7 points per game.
“We’ve watched quite a bit of film about Buckeye Valley, and one thing I can tell you is they’re a very solid football team.” Mr. Saccoccia said. “They’re fundamentally sound, their offense is sound, but defensively they’re a mix of even and odd, with some games blitzing and others not.
“They’re a versatile team, they play a competitive schedule, they’re well-rounded, they’re well-coached. If they get a few different breaks throughout the year, they could go 8-2. ”
Meanwhile, the Big Red is averaging 36.5 points per game and allowing just 15.8 points. The Big Red scored 120 points in the second quarter and ended the first half with several wins, including last week’s win over Long Island Lutheran.
The fourth quarter is also a strength, averaging 10 points per fourth quarter.
Senior QB Aiden Davis has more than 1,500 passing yards and 21 total touchdowns, Jalen Minniefield has eight rushing scores, and reigning East Defensive Player of the Year Brody Saccoccia has five rushing scores. Impacted on both sides of the ball with a receiving score and three interceptions. About defense.
The winner of Friday’s game will face the winner of No. 7 Athens and No. 10 Linden-McKinley in the second round. These teams will also play each other on Friday night. If the Big Red wins, the second round game will also be played at home at Harding Stadium.
Fans are reminded that ticket sales for the playoffs are handled by OHSAA and tickets can be purchased in advance at ohsaa.org/tickets.
Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the match at the stadium counter with cash only.
Season ticket cards do not allow attendees to attend games, but they do allow attendees to sit in their season ticket seats.
Tickets are $11 for adults and $5 for students.
Friday night’s opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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