BELLAIRE — To say the second half of Bellaire’s 2017 football schedule is daunting would be understating the case.

The young Big Reds reached the season’s halfway point with a 3-2 mark, fresh of a beatdown of Buckeye Local. If Coach Mark Spigarelli’s charges go on to earn a second successive OHSAA state-playoff berth, they will definitely have earned it.

In the next three weeks, Bellaire faces teams that are currently 4-1 followed by Union Local (5-0) before hosting ancient rival Martins Ferry in Week 10.

Challenging indeed.

The Big Reds’ arduous journey commences this Saturday when a potent Beaver Local outfit pays a visit to Nelson Field. The Beavers harbor hopes for a Division IV Region 13 playoff berth as well as an OVAC 5A championship.

Coach Mike McKenzie’s Columbiana County charges’ lone blemish came at the hands of Linsly School, 28-17. The Beavers have impressively dispatched the likes of Wellsville (66-6), West Branch (39-36), Edison (33-6) and East Liverpool (43-12).

Spigarelli, meanwhile, who did a remarkable job of leading a program in disarray into the playoffs in his first year at the helm, has seen his Big Reds drop close nods to a pair of quality foes in River and John Marshall while pocketing wins over Caldwell and Harrison Central, in addition to Buckeye Local.

“I am somewhat pleased with where we are right now. It is basically the same situation as we were last year,” Spigarelli said.

Spigarelli realizes his Big Reds face an acid test in Beaver Local.

“Beaver is big and physical. They have big lines on both sides of the ball. They have a quick quarterback and run a lot of shotgun and spread. They have a quality tailback,” Spigarelli said. “Defensively, Beaver runs a four-man front and likes to blitz a lot.

“But it will be nice to be back at home after playing four of our first five on the road,” he continued. “It should be a great atmosphere with a good crowd as we are celebrating Homecoming.”

McKenzie, meanwhile, has a clear grasp on what his Beavers will be facing in the All-American Town.

“Bellaire is a very good team. Offensively they have a great quarterback and very good skill people,” the former Edison High head coach said.

The Bellaire offense is triggered by senior quarterback Mason Ramsay. The talented senior has completed 43-of-72 tosses for 793 yards and 10 TDs. He has only been picked three times.

Gabe Rejonis is his favorite target, hauling in 18 passes for four TDs. He is averaging a whopping 21 yards.

The Bellaire ground attack is fueled by a pair of solid ball-toters. Rugged senior Thor Duffy leads the way with 381 yards and two six-pointers. Sophomore Cole Porter is a nice complement with 218 stripes.

Defensively, Trace Sechrest leads the team in tackles while Grant Gheen has recorded 6.5 tackles for loss.