Steubenville, Bishop Watterson both undefeated set to battle for a spot in OHSAA Div. III Final Four

 

(OHSAA)

By Gene Simmons

NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH--The stage is set for the Division III Region 11 final this Friday at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium as the Big Red of Steubenville will take on Columbus Bishop Watterson.

Steubenville has had a tremendous season to date, undefeated with some good wins over teams such as Dover; beating them twice, in the regular season and playoffs. 

Beating New Philadelphia in their house now playing for a chance to advance in the same venue, a very good Archbishop McNicholas team in a close contest and a 10-2 Athens team in a regional quarterfinal game.

The Big Red are led by longtime leader of men and Ohio's most winningest head coach Reno Saccoccia, according to the OHSAA he is sitting at 440 wins to date that's over 40 years of coaching.

One player to keep an eye on for Steubenville is senior RB Jalen Minniefield who has rushed for over a 1,000 yards on the season including a big regional semi-final game versus, Dover accumulating 227 yards on 14 carries and 4 touchdowns.

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Bishop Watterson also undefeated on the season at 13-0 with some impressive wins over Big Walnut in the first week of the season 20-0, coincidently who will play Massillon for the Division II Region 7 championship. Also defeated St. Francis DeSales in week 10, and a big win over Licking Valley in the regional semifinals.

(OHSAA)

Watterson is coached by Brian Kennedy who is in his 8th season at the helm, he was Columbus Dispatch All-Metro Coach of the Year in 2023 who's team scores a ton of points and a stingy defense that has only given up 69 total points in 13 games.

Bishop Watterson lost in the 2023 State Championship to Toledo Central Catholic 27-7.

The player to watch is junior QB Drew Bellisari who finished the regular season with 1,200 passing yards, 32 TD's and 644 yards rushing. 

@drew_bellisari is a 6’3”, 185-lb dual-threat quarterback from the class of 2026, playing at Bishop Watterson.

A lifelong quarterback, Drew_bellisari combines athleticism with football IQ, continuing a strong family tradition — his dad was a captain at Ohio State, and his… pic.twitter.com/V55AxonmAz

— Quarterback Magazine (@quarterbackmag) November 19, 2024

The winner will move on to the Division III Final Four for a chance to play for a State Championship.

(OHSAA)

**Steubenville is 13-0 week 8 contest vs. Huron Heights, ON that does not count in OHSAA rankings