DIVISION IV Ursuline ousts top-seed Manchester

The Irish credited the victory to their strength of schedule.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
AKRON -- The Ursuline High football team played some of the best teams in the state during the regular season, posting a 5-5 record.
So playing the top team in its region to open the postseason wasn't about to faze the Irish.
Ursuline overcame five first-half turnovers to knock off top-seeded Akron Manchester 28-10 in Friday's Division IV regional quarterfinal at Manchester High School.
The Irish will play East Palestine next Friday at a site to be announced Sunday.
Manchester, which posted eight shutouts during a perfect 10-0 season and hadn't allowed a touchdown since the first game, was no match for Ursuline's strong running game and outstanding defense.
Winning factors
Delbert Ferguson rushed for 146 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns, while the Irish defense limited Manchester to 89 yards rushing and 96 through the air.
"Our defense was outstanding tonight," Ursuline coach Dan Murphy said.
"When you give up the football five times by halftime and we're still winning, that's all about defense."
The Irish fell behind quickly after turning the ball over on an interception in the first quarter.
Akron's Nick Manson picked off Ursuline QB Daryll Clark and returned the ball to the Irish 14.
The Irish defense held on three plays and Manson booted a 26-yard field goal to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead.
Taking control
Ursuline then got its running game going, turning to the power I and repeatedly handing the football to Ferguson and Terrence Graves.
Early in the second quarter, Ferguson broke around right end and raced 79 yards to the Akron 6. Two plays later, Ferguson scored the first touchdown against the Panthers in nine weeks.
Ursuline scored once more in the first half after taking advantage of a Manchester turnover.
Derrick Stewart picked off the first of his two interceptions and returned the ball 62 yards to the Panther 5.
Clark scored two plays later on a quarterback sneak.
"We had our chances in the first half," Manchester coach Jim France said.
"We couldn't get any points and they made the most of our mistakes."
Late rally thwarted
Manchester tried to get back into the game early in the third quarter after scoring on a 43-yard pass play.
The Panthers were then successful on recovering an onside kick.
Ursuline's defense again rose to the challenge and shut down Manchester the rest of the way.
The Irish scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to put the game away.
Ferguson scored on a 28-yard run and Clark threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Louis Irizarry.
"Playing the best teams in the state helps prepare us to compete in the state [tournament]," Murphy said. "I think our kids now realize how that schedule benefits us."