STEUBENVILLE — The Steubenville Big Red football team has been in the state final four in each of the last two seasons.

As they begin a quest for a third straight regional title and another journey toward December football, a lot has changed.

Steubenville moved back to Division III after two semifinals trips in Division IV, and graduated a class of 17 seniors.

A few things have not changed, however. Recent National High School Hall of Fame inductee Reno Saccoccia, Ohio’s all-time wins leader, remains at the helm for a 41st season, backed by a familiar, veteran staff, and the program is still among the most storied in the nation, ranking No. 10 in the country and third in the state with 861 victories.

“We’ve played in Division II, we’ve played in Division III and we’ve played in Division IV — we’ve been successful in all three and come up short in all three,” Saccoccia said. “It really doesn’t matter what division we’re in, what matters is how we perform. Right now that’s really what our focus is, being ready to perform. I think our schedule is competitive for Division III or IV — it’s going to test us from Week 1 through 10.”

Overcoming a large graduating class is nothing new for Saccoccia and company. In fact, they lost 19 seniors from the 2022 trip to the state semis and still made a return last season, an effort that garnered Saccoccia East District Coach of the Year honors.

The 17 who ended their careers with a 13-2 campaign were Aydan Manning, Isaac Hill, Lee Anthony Sewell, Sabron Felton, Keith Lewis, Lawson Lewis, Jace Kernahan, Carlo Schiappa, Kellen Lester, Savier Faulks, Elijah Mullins, Santonio Brown, Peyton Gorby, Demetrius Leas, Lucas Tarr, Javin Harper and Antonio Dawson.

Hill, who is now playing Division I college football at Bowling Green, was the East District and Herald-Star/Daily Times All-Area Team Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Ohioan. Manning, Faulks, Harper, Gorby, Brown, Mullins and Felton were all first-team selections in the district and the all-area teams.

The next group of seniors stepping up to lead the way already has earned accolades, led by reigning district and all-area defensive player of the year and All-Ohioan Brody Saccoccia, who also won a wrestling state title since last season.

Joining him on the senior group are Jalen Minniefield, Je’Meier Faulks, Kyliegh Hopkins, Aiden Davis, Maddox Gulan, Kail Simmons, Carmello Gordon, Chandler Hoffman, Noah West, Sylar Malcolm, Logan Lynch, Myles Cooper, Colin Miller, Ben Burgey, Daniel Irizarry, Antonio Palmer, Hayden Hicks.