photo by: Andrew Grimm
Steubenville Big Red’s Ja’khi Muntz rushes to the outside during Steubenville’s game Friday against Dover. Big Red rolled to a win to move to 5-0 on the season.
STEUBENVILLE – Many high school football observers saw last week’s Dover versus Steubenville game on Reno Field inside Harding Stadium as another classic battle between two of the best teams in the Eastern District.
Well, such was the case early until Big Red received a huge defensive play that ignited a 30-point second quarter that led to a 42-7 victory before a huge gathering.
Steubenville’s Noah West caused a Crimson Tornadoes’ fumble deep in their own territory and Landon Crosier went 21 yards on a scoop-and-score.
After that quarterback Aiden Davis found Jalen Minniefield twice and Brody Saccoccia once for touchdowns, with Minniefield also scoring on a run. Cole Bowers booted a 26-yard field goal and a two-point run by Davis capped the outburst as Steubenville led 30-0 at the half..
Ca’Juan Bryant and Ta’Jon Hython added short touchdowns runs in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.
Big Red accumulated 302 yards of total offense to 159 for Dover.
Steubenville, which heads south on Ohio 7 to Wheeling Island Stadium this Friday to meet Wheeling Park, now leads the all-time series with the Crimson Tornadoes, 22-6-1.
Getting That First ‘W’
Shadyside got on the winning side of the ledger Saturday with a 48-18 romp past visiting Portsmouth Notre Dame on Homecoming at Fleming Field.
The Tigers unleashed a balanced offensive attack that saw them run for 226 yards and two touchdowns while also passing for 206 and four scores. They also returned a punt for six points.
Airing It Out
Sophomore quarterback Jayden Johnson tossed three of the TDs, with two of them covering 19 yards to Michael Hendershot and Griffin Kritz. The other went to Ace Nelson from 17. Johnson, who was injured in the season-opener at Martins Ferry, completed 9-of-17 passes for 115 yards.
Davis connected on 14 of 18 attempts for 152 yards and the two aforementioned TDs in Steubenville’s lop-sided win.
Barnesville’s Casey Carpenter was perfect on all six of his passing attempts, with three going for touchdowns, as the Shamrocks rolled past River, 63-0. He found Eli Messenger twice (52 and 12) while also connecting with Bradey McIntire (52).
Monroe Central’s Tucker Howell completed 13 of 21 passes for 249 yards and five touchdowns in the Seminoles’ 42-19 win over Buckeye Local. Howell also ran for 104 yards.
In his first varsity start, Wheeling Central’s Nico Kusic completed eight passes for 130 yards. He also ran for 45 yards.
Streaking
Barnesville continued its impressive play with its rout of host River at Martin Flannery Field. The Shamrocks have now won 31 straight regular-season outings, which is the third current active streak in the Buckeye State behind Marion Local and Sugarcreek Garaway. They had 35 points in the first quarter against the short-handed Pilots.
Barnesville looks to extend its streak Friday at Shadyside.
Doing It All
Valley’s Gavin Derby had 404 yards of total offense as the Lumberjacks outscored Frontier 47-34 on Friday.
The fleet-footed senior ran for 303 and five touchdowns (10, 5, 10, 10, 65) while completing 5 of 7 passes for 101 and another TD. He also kicked three PATs.
In the process, Derby surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing barrier in just four games.
Monroe Central’s Corbin Farnsworth was all over the statsheet against Buckeye Local, catching two passes for 74 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown catch. Farnsworth also tallied two sacks and a pass deflection.
Shadyside’s Cole Micker rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown; was 2-for-2 passing for 91 yards and a TD – that coming on a 70-yard halfback to Michael Hendershot; and he recorded an interception on defense.
Carrying The Load
Wheeling Park’s Brennan Wack had 27 carries for 177 yards as the Patriots picked up a huge road win at University. He also found the end zone four times.
Union Local’s Brody Perzanowski averaged over 20 yards a carry in the Jets’ 48-7 demolition of Shenandoah last week, taking seven carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Perzanowski had touchdowns rushes of 64, 36 and eight yards.
Cameron’s Slaton Pettit ran for three touchdowns as the Dragons demolished Magnolia, 52-16.
Cameron’s Klypsan Wallace had two rushing touchdowns.
St. Clairsville’s Gavin Schoolcraft ran for 175 yards and three touchdowns in the Red Devils’ 35-14 nod over East Liverpool.
St. Clairsville’s Ollie Muhly added 116 stripes, including a 52-yard scoring jaunt.
Martins Ferry’s Tev’n Williams had scoring runs of 52 and 58 yards as the Purple Riders throttled Brownsville, Pa., 49-0. He also caught a 40-yard TD pass.
Indian Creek’s Zion McGee ran for 120 and two TDs as the Redskins held off Brooke, 30-24.
Brooke’s Ty Sperringer rushed for 145 yards and threw three touchdowns for Brooke.
Steubenville Central’s Jimmy Hernon had 130 yards and two TDs as the Crusaders made Homecoming sweet with a 32-22 win over Fairport Harbor Harding.
Wheeling Central’s Isaac Martin ran for 110 yards and a TD on 15 carries. He also recovered a fumble in the end zone for six more points.
Getting Their Kicks
Barnesville’s Evan Lough set a school record with nine PAT kicks in the Shamrocks huge win over River.
Shadyside’s Gavin Bommer had six extra-point kicks as the Tigers picked up their first win.
Brooke’s Chase Hile kicked three PATs and a field goal.
(This roundup is compiled from statistics reported to The Intelligencer Sports Department. Statistics can be sent to knorth@theintelligencer.net or nhenthorn@theintelligencer.net, preferably Friday night after the game, but no later than Monday afternoon.)