STEUBENVILLE — By the time Maeve Gray was crowned Big Red’s 2022 homecoming queen during halftime festivities, the outcome of Friday’s game with Pittsburgh Allderdice had pretty much been decided.

Big Red, now 7-1 and the top club in the Ohio Division IV Region 15 computer ratings, put 27 points on the board during the initial 24 minutes and rolled to a 32-6 victory over the Dragons inside Harding Stadium.

Offensively, Reno Saccoccia’s squad finished the half with 252 total yards (132 rushing and 120 passing). Meanwhile, the Steubenville defense recorded five tackles for a loss, force fived punts and held Allderdice to just one first down.

“It was a good win–every win is a good win,” Saccoccia said. “It’s hard to win. But, we still have not improved on what need to improve upon.

“We have to fix the penalties. If we fix the penalties, we will be very good offensively. We had penalties on offense, defense and special teams. We have to fix our penalties going forward.”

The Big Red took advantage of short fields to score its initial touchdowns. Spencer Ostovich capped a 48-yard drive when he bulled his way in from a yard away. Cole Bowers nailed his conversion kick.

Savier Faulks found the end zone on a 32-yard sprint, capping a 45-yard march. Bowers again split the uprights.

The second quarter belong to the Hills. Phaeton Hill hit Isaac Hill for a 9-yard touchdown which ended a 63-yard Big Red drive. They hooked up again for a 12-yard score. Bowers converted one kick but had his second blocked and Steubenville led 27-0 at the half.

On Big Red’s first possession of the third quarter, Gavin Bozica broke loose for what appeared to be a 78-yard scoring run. Unfortunately, an Allderdice defender punched the ball out as Bozica was crossing the goal line and the Dragons recovered.

Steubenville’s defense forced a punt three plays later and the snap sailed over the head of Allerdice’s punter, giving Big Red a safety and a 29-0 advantage.

With 5:23 left in the third, Bowers took full advantage of his first field goal opportunity. The freshman nailed the three-pointer from 30 yards away. His boot put the OHSAA mercy rule into effect.

The Allderdice score cane with just 21 seconds left when Mekhi Butler connected with Naeron Smith from 32 yards out.

“I respect Pittsburgh city schools,” Saccoccia said. “Those kids play. The coaches coach them up and the kids play hard. They play for 48 minutes.”

Offensively, Big Red finished the night with 430 yards (243 coming on the ground and 187 through the air). Eleven different backs toted the rock for Saccoccia’s club.

Bozica led the way with 120 yards while Faulks added 66. P. Hill completed 11 passes for 160. Ayden Manning and Sabron Felton both connected on their only passing attempts.

I. Hill finished with five receptions for 73 yards. Hakim Edwards hauled in two P. Hill aerials.

“I like the fact that we were able to get so many guys in the game,” said Saccoccia. “I’m proud of the effort our kids are giving us. But again, until we fix the penalties we are not going to be as good as we can be.

“That is going to be the focus for the rest of the season–however long it lasts.”

Allderdice was limited to 48 rushing yards on 26 carries. The Dragons, now 2-5, did managed to gain 111 yards through the air.

Big Red will head north next week for a Saturday afternoon date with Youngstown Cardinal Mooney. On Friday, the Cardinals overcame a 17-0 halftime deficit to knock off Warren Harding 26-17.

Mooney, now 5-3, plays its home games at Mineral Ridge High School. The Week 9 kick is set for 1 p.m.

Big Red will drop the regular season curtain when it entertains Rock Creek Christian, based in Maryland, on Oct. 21.

Steubenville 32, Pittsburgh Allderdice 6

Allderdice 0 0 0 6

Big Red 14 13 5 0

S: Ostovich 1 run (Bowers kick)

S: Faulks 32 run (Bowers kick)

S: I. Hill 9 pass from P. Hill (Bowers kick)

S: I. Hill 12 pass from P. Hill (kick failed)

S: Safety snap on punt rolled through end zone

S: Bowers 30 field goal

A: Smith 32 pass from Butler (kick failed)

RUSHING: Allderdice 26-48 (Jetter 12-2; Butler 8-39; McPherson 1-7; James 3-(-1); Hill 2-1); Big Red 35-243-2 (Bozica 6-120; Faulks 9-66-1; Ostovich 1-1-1; Hopkins 3-8; P. Hill 2-10; Edwards 1-2; Minniefield 6-28; Douglas 1-6; Simmons 2-0; Felton 3-1; West 1-1).

PASSING: Allderdice 4-9-111-1 (Jetter 2-5-54; Butler 2-4-57-1); Big Red 13-28-187-2 (P. Hill 11-26-160-2; Manning 1-1-22; Felton 1-1-5).

RECEIVING: Allderdice 4-111-1 (Smith 2-57-1; James 1-42; Coleman 1-12); Big Red 13-187-2 (I. Hill 5-73-2; Edwards 2-32; Buggs 1-13; Sewell 1-1; Kernahan 1-11; Pierce 1-40; Thorn 1-22; Douglas 1-5).

FIRST DOWNS: Allderdice 7; Big Red 20.

PENALTIES-YARDS: Allderdice 6-36; Big Red 3-35.

FUMBLES-LOST: Allderdice 1-0; Big Red 1-1.