Published: Saturday, November 4, 2006
Mooney off and running
The Cardinals opened the playoffs with a 28-0 win over Cuyahoga Valley Academy.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORT STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — Linebacker Mike McGlone's career-high eight points combined with backup halfback Brandon Beachum's two touchdowns were more than enough to get the Mooney High football team rolling towards another long playoff run.
McGlone capped a wild conversion score then blocked a punt and picked up the ball for a touchdown as Mooney (10-0) opened the Division IV Region 13 playoffs Friday with a 28-0 victory over Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy at Youngstown State University's Stambaugh Stadium.
"To be honest that's the first time I've scored in high school," McGlone said. "It was cool."
Beachum said being undefeated in November "is a great feeling. We had a tough season so I think we are well-prepared for the postseason."
Another streak begins
Two years ago, Mooney won the state championship. Last December, they lost to Coldwater in the state title game. The Cardinals rolled to nine straight wins and many expect the streak to last another month.
"All of us try not to get big-headed about how teams and people talk about [us] being in the state finals," said Beachum, a junior. "We try not to get hyped up on stuff like that and just keep ourselves level-headed."
After a sluggish, scoreless first quarter where the Cardinals outrushed the Royals 26-22, the tide turned when the Cardinals capped their second possession with five straight handoffs to Beachum.
The halfback, relieving starter Jamelle Bowers, gained 28 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown for a 6-0 lead with 10:19 remaining before halftime.
Scrambling conversion
The Cardinals lined up for a point-after kick but a high snap sent holder Jason Hehr scrambling. About to be tackled, Hehr pitched the ball to McGlone who ran into the end zone for an 8-0 lead.
"The extra point was like a backyard football play," McGlone said. "He called 'fire' and I didn't hear it. He got stuck at the 1 and I said to him, 'Back here, Hehr' and looked right at me and threw it.
"That was just backyard football," said McGlone who added that he and Hehr have been teammates since fifth grade at St. Charles. "We've been playing together since we were little."
A few minutes later, the Cardinals had a two-touchdown lead when McGlone burst through the Royals line to block Garrett Brown's punt then picked up the ball at the CVCA 15 and scored.
With two seconds remaining before the break, quarterback Kyle McCarthy capped a 53-yard drive with a 3-yard run for a 21-0 lead.
On Mooney's first possession of the second half, Beachum scored on a 9-yard run.
"Those guys up front did a pretty good job of opening up some holes and sustaining some blocks for him," Mooney coach P.J. Fecko said.
Injury-riddled season
Beachum said injuries have made his season a difficult one. He suffered a deep thigh bruise week before the season began and a bad foot sprain in Week 3, causing him to sit out the Harding game.
"Obviously, the team didn't lose a beat," said Beachum of the win over their Steel Valley Conference rivals. " We did really well and I slowly rehabbed it and worked my way back into the rotation."
Beachum, who said he doesn't yet feel as well as he did before the foot sprain, added that it doesn't matter who starts in the backfield.
"I don't have a problem with coming off the bench because I don't look at it as he's starting over me or I'm starting over him," Beachum said. "It's just that I'm relieving him when he needs a break or he relieves me when I need a break."
Defense shines
Defensively, the Cardinals shut down the Royals rushing attack. Tailback John Pettigrew, who rushed for 1,558 yards in the regulars season, was limited to 63 yards on 16 carries.
As the Cardinals prepare for another month of action, McGlone said the players know what's at stake as they prepare to play fourth-seeded Perry next Friday.
"We, especially the seniors, have gone to state and won, and we've gone to state and lost, so we have an extreme advantage in the playoffs," McGlone said. "We've been there and done that. So we know what it takes and the amount of work we have to put in during the week to achieve our goals."
williams@vindy.com
Saturday, November 4, 2006
The Cardinals opened the playoffs with a 28-0 win over Cuyahoga Valley Academy.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORT STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — Linebacker Mike McGlone's career-high eight points combined with backup halfback Brandon Beachum's two touchdowns were more than enough to get the Mooney High football team rolling towards another long playoff run.
McGlone capped a wild conversion score then blocked a punt and picked up the ball for a touchdown as Mooney (10-0) opened the Division IV Region 13 playoffs Friday with a 28-0 victory over Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy at Youngstown State University's Stambaugh Stadium.
"To be honest that's the first time I've scored in high school," McGlone said. "It was cool."
Beachum said being undefeated in November "is a great feeling. We had a tough season so I think we are well-prepared for the postseason."
Another streak begins
Two years ago, Mooney won the state championship. Last December, they lost to Coldwater in the state title game. The Cardinals rolled to nine straight wins and many expect the streak to last another month.
"All of us try not to get big-headed about how teams and people talk about [us] being in the state finals," said Beachum, a junior. "We try not to get hyped up on stuff like that and just keep ourselves level-headed."
After a sluggish, scoreless first quarter where the Cardinals outrushed the Royals 26-22, the tide turned when the Cardinals capped their second possession with five straight handoffs to Beachum.
The halfback, relieving starter Jamelle Bowers, gained 28 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown for a 6-0 lead with 10:19 remaining before halftime.
Scrambling conversion
The Cardinals lined up for a point-after kick but a high snap sent holder Jason Hehr scrambling. About to be tackled, Hehr pitched the ball to McGlone who ran into the end zone for an 8-0 lead.
"The extra point was like a backyard football play," McGlone said. "He called 'fire' and I didn't hear it. He got stuck at the 1 and I said to him, 'Back here, Hehr' and looked right at me and threw it.
"That was just backyard football," said McGlone who added that he and Hehr have been teammates since fifth grade at St. Charles. "We've been playing together since we were little."
A few minutes later, the Cardinals had a two-touchdown lead when McGlone burst through the Royals line to block Garrett Brown's punt then picked up the ball at the CVCA 15 and scored.
With two seconds remaining before the break, quarterback Kyle McCarthy capped a 53-yard drive with a 3-yard run for a 21-0 lead.
On Mooney's first possession of the second half, Beachum scored on a 9-yard run.
"Those guys up front did a pretty good job of opening up some holes and sustaining some blocks for him," Mooney coach P.J. Fecko said.
Injury-riddled season
Beachum said injuries have made his season a difficult one. He suffered a deep thigh bruise week before the season began and a bad foot sprain in Week 3, causing him to sit out the Harding game.
"Obviously, the team didn't lose a beat," said Beachum of the win over their Steel Valley Conference rivals. " We did really well and I slowly rehabbed it and worked my way back into the rotation."
Beachum, who said he doesn't yet feel as well as he did before the foot sprain, added that it doesn't matter who starts in the backfield.
"I don't have a problem with coming off the bench because I don't look at it as he's starting over me or I'm starting over him," Beachum said. "It's just that I'm relieving him when he needs a break or he relieves me when I need a break."
Defense shines
Defensively, the Cardinals shut down the Royals rushing attack. Tailback John Pettigrew, who rushed for 1,558 yards in the regulars season, was limited to 63 yards on 16 carries.
As the Cardinals prepare for another month of action, McGlone said the players know what's at stake as they prepare to play fourth-seeded Perry next Friday.
"We, especially the seniors, have gone to state and won, and we've gone to state and lost, so we have an extreme advantage in the playoffs," McGlone said. "We've been there and done that. So we know what it takes and the amount of work we have to put in during the week to achieve our goals."
williams@vindy.com
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Linebacker Mike McGlone's career-high eight points combined with backup halfback Brandon Beachum's two touchdowns were...
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