Published: Saturday, October 14, 2006
Zordich, defense spark
Mooney's 47-7 victory
Michael Zordich scored three times as the No. 2-ranked Cardinals stayed undefeated.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — Mooney junior Michael Zordich had mixed feelings two Fridays ago as he sat in the stands at a high school football game, watching instead of playing.
On the one hand, the Cardinals' bye week (which was a direct result of nobody wanting to play them, which was a direct result of being almost unbeatable the past two years) allowed the aches and pains of the first six weeks to heal.
"It was a nice break," he said.
On the other hand, the way Mooney was playing, who wanted to take a break? What if the Cardinals were — gasp! — rusty?
OK, it wasn't likely.
It also wasn't reality. Mooney needed just 45 seconds to score its first touchdown against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary on Friday night, a 5-yard run by Zordich that was set up by a 46-yard kickoff return by Dom Scarnecchia and a couple nifty runs by quarterback Dan McCarthy.
Zordich scored twice more and Mooney's defense stuffed the Irish all night, leading to the Cardinals' 47-7, beat-down victory at Stambaugh Stadium.
"I think today we played pretty good," Zordich said.
Mooney is dominant
Um, yes. The Cardinals (7-0), the state's second-ranked team in Division IV, rolled up a 345-95 yard advantage on the ground, outscoring the Irish 34-0 in the second half.
"I think in the first half we did a really good job of moving the ball; we just weren't finishing," Cardinals coach P.J. Fecko said. "I think our guys did a good job of coming out in the second half and playing physical and fast. We were able to break a few and be consistent on offense."
In the first half, Mooney held a huge edge in plays (35-11) and yards (159-21), but fumbled near the Irish goal line and surrendered an 80-yard kickoff return that set up St. V's only score, a 2-yard run by Harvie Tuck.
"We could have stopped them," Zordich said, frustrated.
Other than that, there wasn't much to pick on. Zordich ran 11 times for 129 yards and McCarthy added 123 on 17 carries. Brandon Beachum (44 yards, 1 TD) and Jamelle Bowers (41 yards, 1 TD) also ran well, which was due in no small part to the Cardinals' offensive line.
"I didn't really do much," Zordich said. "Our offensive line opened up some huge holes."
McCarthy also completed 2 of 6 passes for 25 yards for Mooney, which has gone 31-5 over the past three seasons.
Pelini with Irish
Irish backup quarterback Vince Pelini (son of Mooney graduate John Pelini and the nephew of Bo, the LSU defensive coordinator) was the leading ground-gainer for SVSM, carrying five times for 29 yards. Starter Jeremy Petit completed 3 of 8 passes for 32 yards for the Irish (3-5), who defeated Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit in four overtimes last week.
"They really are a good football team," Fecko said of the Irish. "They're sound and their coaches do a good job. We kind of grinded it out tonight. It's not like we ran up and down the field on them."
Expect more of the same next week as the Cardinals play Ursuline, who gave Mooney a scare last year before losing 19-14. (In fairness, the Cardinals were without injured starting quarterback Derrell Johnson in that game.)
"I'm very excited," Zordich said. "I love that game probably the most. It's such a great rivalry and the played us really tough last year."
Added Fecko, "It's one of the best rivalries in the area. It's one of the few real rivalries left. It's always exciting."
scalzo@vindy.com
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Michael Zordich scored three times as the No. 2-ranked Cardinals stayed undefeated.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — Mooney junior Michael Zordich had mixed feelings two Fridays ago as he sat in the stands at a high school football game, watching instead of playing.
On the one hand, the Cardinals' bye week (which was a direct result of nobody wanting to play them, which was a direct result of being almost unbeatable the past two years) allowed the aches and pains of the first six weeks to heal.
"It was a nice break," he said.
On the other hand, the way Mooney was playing, who wanted to take a break? What if the Cardinals were — gasp! — rusty?
OK, it wasn't likely.
It also wasn't reality. Mooney needed just 45 seconds to score its first touchdown against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary on Friday night, a 5-yard run by Zordich that was set up by a 46-yard kickoff return by Dom Scarnecchia and a couple nifty runs by quarterback Dan McCarthy.
Zordich scored twice more and Mooney's defense stuffed the Irish all night, leading to the Cardinals' 47-7, beat-down victory at Stambaugh Stadium.
"I think today we played pretty good," Zordich said.
Mooney is dominant
Um, yes. The Cardinals (7-0), the state's second-ranked team in Division IV, rolled up a 345-95 yard advantage on the ground, outscoring the Irish 34-0 in the second half.
"I think in the first half we did a really good job of moving the ball; we just weren't finishing," Cardinals coach P.J. Fecko said. "I think our guys did a good job of coming out in the second half and playing physical and fast. We were able to break a few and be consistent on offense."
In the first half, Mooney held a huge edge in plays (35-11) and yards (159-21), but fumbled near the Irish goal line and surrendered an 80-yard kickoff return that set up St. V's only score, a 2-yard run by Harvie Tuck.
"We could have stopped them," Zordich said, frustrated.
Other than that, there wasn't much to pick on. Zordich ran 11 times for 129 yards and McCarthy added 123 on 17 carries. Brandon Beachum (44 yards, 1 TD) and Jamelle Bowers (41 yards, 1 TD) also ran well, which was due in no small part to the Cardinals' offensive line.
"I didn't really do much," Zordich said. "Our offensive line opened up some huge holes."
McCarthy also completed 2 of 6 passes for 25 yards for Mooney, which has gone 31-5 over the past three seasons.
Pelini with Irish
Irish backup quarterback Vince Pelini (son of Mooney graduate John Pelini and the nephew of Bo, the LSU defensive coordinator) was the leading ground-gainer for SVSM, carrying five times for 29 yards. Starter Jeremy Petit completed 3 of 8 passes for 32 yards for the Irish (3-5), who defeated Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit in four overtimes last week.
"They really are a good football team," Fecko said of the Irish. "They're sound and their coaches do a good job. We kind of grinded it out tonight. It's not like we ran up and down the field on them."
Expect more of the same next week as the Cardinals play Ursuline, who gave Mooney a scare last year before losing 19-14. (In fairness, the Cardinals were without injured starting quarterback Derrell Johnson in that game.)
"I'm very excited," Zordich said. "I love that game probably the most. It's such a great rivalry and the played us really tough last year."
Added Fecko, "It's one of the best rivalries in the area. It's one of the few real rivalries left. It's always exciting."
scalzo@vindy.com
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Mooney junior Michael Zordich had mixed feelings two Fridays ago as he sat in the stands at a high school football game,...
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