D-IV State Semi-Final: Ursuline (8-5) vs Steubenville Big Red (12-0)

[SlimCharles]

RollRed:

I tend to go the other way. I realize that Ursuline will be returning a RB and some missing lineman from our game in Week #6 (which I did not see, by the way). And I am not saying that I expect at 48-12 pasting with a running clock, as was the first game (listened to it on the radio). But having said that, I am confident that Big Red will win this game. Reno will not let us lose to a team that we already waxed 48-12.

Now, was it 2010 when Ursuline beat us in the regular season and they had that scatback/defensive back who sliced and diced us and had nearly 200 yards rushing? What was his name? What an incredible player he was!! If HE is the running back they are returning, then I am nervous. Otherwise, I feel good about the State Semifinal game.

I expect it to be a fight. But we will prevail. ROLL RED ROLL!!!

I believe it was Akise Teague. He put on a show in Harding Stadium

[BIG 1 RED]

This game is the semi final for the state championship and nobody got here by accident.This will be a hard fought game and the team that executes the best,makes the least mistakes,and plays with the most "HEART"will advance to the final game.I'm sure that RENO will instill in the boys minds that although they beat URSULINE earlier in the season things change.Players who were hurt could be back,the team could have improved,and the importance of the game , there is no tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!.This team has a lot of "HEART"and a lot of talent and they may need that and more to prevail in this up coming game.As RENO said many times over the years,it is hard to keep a team up every week on any level of competition.They will have to be sharp on both sides of the ball to win the game.I like their chances but they still have to go out on the field and play a good game.As always ROLL RED ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!

[sonofsam]

I have to ask this...

With the amount of penalties (even I agree that it has been a bit overload) and playing Salem at Minerva, now Ursuline at Boardman, do any fans feel like OHSAA is trying to derail you? Make it easier for the other team? You guys have taken care of business and your starters are un-scored upon in the playoffs, but I had this conversation at work last night with one of your former players... He informed me it was Boardman... A walk for Ursuline and an hour+ drive for you. Would like to hear the thoughts on this...

[fatty]

We all know it is a croc of $h!t to be playing this game in Youngstown against a Youngstown team. That would be like Creek playing Cambridge in the playoffs at Harding stadium! Thats about the equivalent drive time for the teams. That being said, we will still bring a bigger fan base. It doesn't matter where they are playing, as long as they are still playing. This game will be different then the first, but I still predict a win by Big Red. That Defense is just playing on another level right now!

[ferflog]

I'm with you, fatty!!

ROLL RED ROLL!!!

[SlimCharles]

I have to ask this...

With the amount of penalties (even I agree that it has been a bit overload) and playing Salem at Minerva, now Ursuline at Boardman, do any fans feel like OHSAA is trying to derail you? Make it easier for the other team? You guys have taken care of business and your starters are un-scored upon in the playoffs, but I had this conversation at work last night with one of your former players... He informed me it was Boardman... A walk for Ursuline and an hour+ drive for you. Would like to hear the thoughts on this...

It definitely feels that way including putting Beechcroft and Marion Franklin in our region midseason last year. Refs have been a joke all season but it will only make it all the more sweet when we hoist that trophy on December 5th

[bigred21]

I don't know why big red fans are so scared of the name on the opponent's jersey. Its going to take a monumental collapse on the part of big red to loose this game! I don't care who was injured or how much better ursline is playing now fact of the matter is we are two plus touchdowns better than them. This is high school when you get dominated like they did its mentally hard to recover from that when you see them again. Sure they will come out fired up and play with all they have but if big red goes up by a score or two DejaVu will kick in and you can give it up. I see a 28-14 35-21 type of game .

[SlimCharles]

I don't know why big red fans are so scared of the name on the opponent's jersey. Its going to take a monumental collapse on the part of big red to loose this game! I don't care who was injured or how much better ursline is playing now fact of the matter is we are two plus touchdowns better than them. This is high school when you get dominated like they did its mentally hard to recover from that when you see them again. Sure they will come out fired up and play with all they have but if big red goes up by a score or two DejaVu will kick in and you can give it up. I see a 28-14 35-21 type of game .

Facts!!! Who in their right mind wouldn't want to play a team you already beat 48-12 for a chance to go to the state final? It seems most Big Red fans want to play the lil engine that could role. After years of having an up hill climb against the Mooney's of the world you should feel blessed to have the roles reversed. 9 running clock wins in the last 10 games and people are talking about how much urusline has improved? I'd say so have we. You best believe urusline has that beating in the front of their minds. This game is on Big Red period! Show up, play your game, and win.

[Redengineer]

I had to check the map and see if Big Red was still part of Ohio not WVA. May be it's the common core math that keeps Ohsaa putting us in the back yard of our opponents. It's not Big Red fault the other teams does not travel well., but Reno did say he will play on rt. 7 if he had to. Well that's my two cents. I will still be there. roll red roll.

Or Piece of Pie Park!

[valuska]

Or Piece of Pie Park!

My wife had to explain this to me. lol

[shovelheadmlr]

Doesn't beaver local have turf?

[fatty]

I have played many football games at pizza pie park (as we called it), just watch out for those guardrails!!!!

[fatty]

No Beaver is grass and not big enough stands

[CFallsBlackTiger]

Pretty convenient that Ursuline fans can walk to game while our fans have to drive an hour plus....or like myself and the huge Big Red fan base in Columbus a 3 hour plus drive awaits us. Nothing neutral about this decision.

This situation puts me in mind of the 2005 season when Big Red played Canal Fulton Northwest in Massillon. That was only a 12 mile drive for the Indians.

[Dr. Pigskin]

I always thought it was piece a pizza pie park