YOUNGSTOWN RB Smith powers Sharon to second win over Mooney

Tiger tailback Marcus Smith had two touchdowns.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- The memories of a 52-8 loss at Sharon last season lingered on the Cardinal Mooney football team's sideline Friday at Stambaugh stadium.
This year, courage wasn't the Cardinals' problem; Tiger tailback Marcus Smith was.
Smith (6-1, 225) had 37 carries for 167 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tigers (2-0) to a 24-0 win over Mooney.
"We got great blocking up front and Marcus stepped it up when we needed him," Sharon quarterback Mike Schneider said.
"He's a very special player. With him running like he is in our run offense, the pass is usually there for me when I want it."
Sharon coach Jim Wildman, who won his 200th game last week, said, "Anytime you beat Mooney, you're winning over a fundamentally sound team that is very strong and physical.
"The keys to this game [were] our offensive line was able to wear them down and that Marcus Smith got stronger with more confidence as the game went on."
Schneider (6-3, 215) started the Sharon scoring by hitting Leroy Taylor for an 8-yard touchdown with 8:09 left in the second quarter to give the Tigers a 6-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Mooney's Jon Zizzo returned the ensuing kickoff 66 yards to the Sharon 19-yard line.
Clipping: A clipping call moved the Cardinals back to the 36, but two plays later quarterback Anthony King hit Patsie Malie on a screen pass for a 38-yard touchdown.
But another clipping call negated the touchdown -- and took the life out of Mooney.
"We played a good first half tonight, then we got a great return; but then we had a touchdown called back," Mooney coach P.J. Fecko said. "We aren't making other defenses pay. Our defense played hard, but was on the field too long."
Recovered fumble: Sharon then recovered a fumble by Malie on Mooney's second half kickoff to get the ball at the 38. Smith carried the first four plays, the last a 22-yard draw for a touchdown, to make it 13-0.
A Jimmy Morocco field goal made it 16-0, and Smith then scored on a 5-yard run in the fourth to close out the scoring.
"The guys up front were opening up holes all night for me," Smith said.
Schneider completed 3-of-5 passes for 32 yards and a touchdown and ran four times for 46 yards to lead Sharon. The Tigers outgained Mooney 262-74.
Kevin Dubose led the Cardinals with nine carries for 27 yards. Malie added 22 yards on 14 carries.