Sunday, September 30, 2001
The sophomore was 11-of-14 for 231 yards in the Irish's 39-6 victory.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Sophomore quarterback Daryll Clark enjoyed the biggest game of his young career in leading the Ursuline High football team to a victory over the Irish's biggest rival.
After a sluggish first half, Ursuline roared to life to defeat Mooney, 39-6, in the Steel Valley Conference showdown at Youngstown State University's Stambaugh Stadium.
Clark completed 11 of 14 passes for 231 yards and three touchdown passes for Ursuline (5-1, 1-1).
"Daryll has been getting better and better every game," Irish coach Jim Vivo said. "We thought Mooney would have trouble matching up with our receivers and Daryll was able to step up and do the job."
Had fun: Clark said he was simply having fun.
"Football is supposed to be fun and I didn't even realize I did that well," Clark said. "When I'm out there, I just try to stay calm, have poise and remember my assignments."
Clark's job was made easier by talented receivers: junior tight end Louis Irizarry and senior split end Jimmy Riley.
Irizarry caught seven passes for 137 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Riley had four receptions for 84 yards, including an 41-yard touchdown.
Mooney (0-6, 0-2) did an effective job containing Graves and sophomore running back Delbert Ferguson in the first half, limiting them to 19 yards combined.
Seized control: Ahead 13-6 at halftime, the Irish seized control of the game by scoring on their first three drives of the third quarter.
"I think I tried to out-scheme myself in the first half," Vivo said. "In the second half, we made a decision to get back to basics."
The first drive was a five-play, 50-yard march keyed by junior tailback Terrence Graves, who scored from 3 yards out.
After a Mooney punt, Clark hit Riley for the 41-yard touchdown and 27-6 lead.
Graves finished with 63 yards on 18 carries.
Mooney quarterback Anthony King completed six of 10 passes for 80 yards.
First score: In the first quarter, Ursuline scored on its first possession by driving 78 yards in four plays. Graves tallied on a 1-yard run and Jon Ameen added a kick for a 7-0 lead with 10:13 remaining.
But Mooney's defense stiffened and the Cardinals began to assert their offense later in the period.
Jon Zizzo returned an Ursuline punt 19 yards to the Irish 24. After the Irish defense held firm, Mooney kicker Stelio Frangopoulos missed a 27-yard field goal attempt.
The Cardinals regrouped and hit paydirt late in the second quarter after driving 52 yards in nine plays. Rob Colaianni scored on a 5-yard run with 2:29 to go before intermission. Mooney's extra point attempt failed to keep Ursuline ahead.
Riley returned the kickoff to Mooney's 49-yard line.
Clark hit Irizarry with a 12-yard pass in the endzone for the 13-6 lead.