Girard has its work cut out to stop Ursuline's potent offense in regional championship game

By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
GIRARD -- Girard High football coach Bud McSuley is impressed with his team's opponent in the Division IV regional championship game.
"Ursuline has a lot of big, offensive skilled players and we'll have to tackle really well and be gap sound," Girard coach Bud McSuley said.
The Indians (11-1) will be counting on a defense that includes Jake Racick and Paul Cole at tackles, Todd Prodnick and Andrew Stevens at ends, Mark Grdinich and Victor Mills at outside linebackers, Nick Shirey and Sal Ponzio at inside linebackers, Dustin Helle and Brian Charles at defensive backs and Bobby Hepfner at safety.
Backup players are Je'riel Harrison and Greg Doran at tackles and Dan O'Neill at outside linebacker.
"The kids worked real hard in the weight room during the off-season and at summer conditioning," said McSuley. "They have a lot of game experience, are very aggressive and swarm to the football."
The Indians last reached the regional championship game in 1992, where they lost to Mentor Lake Catholic.
In Ursuline (7-5), the Indians may see some of the most potent offensive players they have faced this season.
Irish junior Delbert Ferguson has 18 touchdowns, 1,408 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, while senior Terrence Graves has picked up 625 yards and seven touchdowns.
Girard can't afford to defend against the run alone since Ursuline junior quarterback Daryll Clark is dangerous. Clark has completed 81 of 147 passing attempts for 1,586 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Good receivers
Louis Irizarry and Isaiah Poindexter are the top Irish receivers with 52 catches for 1,045 yards combined.
Eight times this year the Irish have scored 28 or more points in a game.
Girard's defense shut out Niles, Newton Falls and Champion and held Brookfield, Hubbard and Liberty to just one touchdown apiece.
The Indian offense is led by junior quarterback Matt Zuppo, who's having a breakout year. Zuppo is 142-for-227 for 2,214 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Helle, an all-state pick as a junior, has been 46 receptions for 973 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Shirey has 35 receptions for 451 yards.