Ursuline loses more than SVC game at Boardman

The OHSAA made the Irish forfeit four games.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Friday was a lousy day for the Ursuline High football team.
Hours after learning they are forfeiting four games after using an ineligible player, the Irish lost their biggest game of the season to Boardman, 31-27, at Boardman High Stadium.
The Spartans scored all 31 points in the first half and held the high-powered Ursuline offense to just six second-half points.
"This was a great football game," Boardman coach Garry Smith said. "Our defense played tough when they had to and we put some points on the scoreboard. I had a hunch it would be a defensive struggle in the second half."
Spartan junior quarterback Tom Zetts completed 13-of-24 passes for 178 yards -- 141 in the first half -- and two touchdowns.
"This was huge," Zetts said. "We put points up in the first half. In the second half, I struggled a little. This means we're going to the playoffs for sure."
It also means the defending Division IV state champions are not.
Forfeits: The Irish began the week with a 7-1 record. The Ohio High School Athletic Association forced the Irish (3-6, 1-3) to forfeit victories over Mooney, Wilson, Alliance and Cleveland Benedictine.
Ursuline coach Jim Vivo refused comment after the game.
Evan Beard paced the Spartans (7-2, 2-1) on the ground with 22 carries for 135 yards and a 56-yard touchdown that pushed him over the 1,000 yard mark for the season.
Boardman senior Jay Upthegrove had two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and a 58-yard kickoff return that set up Andrew Good's 41-yard field goal just before halftime.
"That gave us some confidence going into halftime," Zetts said. "It turned out to be the game-winner."
Getting the ball: Before the game, Upthegrove told Zetts to get him the ball. Upthegrove finished with just three catches for 31 yards, but made several key defensive plays. Senior Brian Fee added two sacks.
"I don't consider myself a selfish player, but I wanted the ball," Upthegrove said. "This win means a lot. It means the playoffs. Last year, we were a little disappointed not making it."
Ursuline struck first when Daryll Clark hit Adam Chatman on a 54-yard pass that set up Terrence Graves' 26-yard touchdown run just 1:01 into the game.
Boardman fired back with three straight touchdowns.
Zetts threw touchdown passes to Mike Villagrana (27 yards) and Brad Beck (30 yards) and Beard's touchdown made it 21-7.
Response: Ursuline responded with a 77-yard pass from Clark to Jimmy Riley and Riley's halfback option pass found Louis Irizarry to make it 28-21.
Ursuline rounded out the scoring midway through the third quarter when Delbert Ferguson took a sweep 42 yards to the end zone. Beck blocked John Ameen's extra point attempt.
Clark finished 6-of-17 for 189 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Graves had 12 carries for 76 yards and Ferguson had 10 carries for 148 yards.
Boardman thwarted two Irish scoring opportunities in the second half, the first coming when Upthegrove intercepted Clark's pass at the Spartan 5-yard line at the end of the third quarter.
"At that point, I was getting a little weary," Upthegrove said.
Brad Harris recovered a Graves fumble at the Spartan 35 with less than three minutes left and Beard ran four times for 22 yards and two first downs as Boardman ran out the clock.
"[Ursuline] had a couple big plays in the second half but we hung in there," Smith said. "It was a big win for us. We have an even bigger one [against Fitch] coming up."
scalzo@vindy.com