Ursuline playoff run falls short

Turnovers hurt the Irish, who lost 13-7 to Portsmouth West.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ZANESVILLE -- It's hard to imagine a football team with linemen pushing 300 pounds playing the role of David in a Goliath of a matchup.
But the unheralded Portsmouth West Senators, who had never won a playoff game before this season, filled the bill Friday, stunning the playoff-tested Ursuline Irish (and 2000 state champions) with a 13-7 Division IV state semifinal football victory at Sulsberger Memorial Stadium.
Despite five turnovers on a sloppy field, the Irish defeat wasn't sealed until defensive back Josh Logan batted away Irish quarterback Daryll Clark's final pass of the night.
Logan's heroics came in the Senators' end zone as the Irish came within inches of playing for their second crown in three seasons.
"Turnovers hurt us and that was the difference in the ballgame," first-year Irish coach Dan Murphy said. "We were in position to score many times.
"But I'm proud of how our kids played until the final snap of the game. Our kids hung in there," said Murphy of his team that finished 8-6 after a 5-5 regular season that included games against Division I Boardman, Warren Harding, Lakewood St. Edward and Austintown Fitch.
Scoring
The Irish dominated in the first quarter, marching to the Senators' 18 before Nick Royer's 42-yard field-goal attempt fell short.
The Senators scored the only points of the first half on their third possession as Bryson Williams' 20-yard punt return gave Portsmouth excellent field position at the Ursuline 47.
Two plays later, tailback Jeremiah Lens broke through the Ursuline line for a 36-yard gain to the 11. On third down, Lens scored from 4 yards out on an off-tackle play for the 7-0 lead.
"I really can't describe the feeling," said Lens of playing for the state title. "I thought we could [win], but I didn't know if we were going to [against a playoff-experienced team]. We just proved the point tonight that southern Ohio football still has a little bit of life."
Turnovers
The Irish gave the ball away on five of their next six possessions (four fumbles, one interception on the final play of the first half).
"They are a very physical team," Murphy said. "They did a great job of stripping the ball. We knew that was one thing they've been doing all along in the playoffs."
Late in the third quarter, Irish tailback Delbert Ferguson, who finished with 100 yards on 14 carries, fumbled and Justin Cantrell returned the ball 35 yards into Irish territory.
Following a 22-yard pickup by Lens, Williams scored a 12-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper for a 13-0 lead.
Late in the game, Ursuline caught a major break when a Portmouth punt snap was deflected, giving the Irish possession at the Senators' 30.
A pass interference call on fourth down helped set up Ferguson's 1-yard run with 3:32 to play.
Final drive
After the Irish forced the Senators off after a three-and-out, the Irish started their final drive from their own 15.
"We knew when they punted the ball that there were two minutes left and we had a chance," said Clark, who completed 10 of 21 passes in the fourth quarter for 125 yards.
A 25-yard pass to Poindexter put the Irish at midfield with a minute to go.
Completions of 6 yards (Poindexter) and 13 (tight end Louis Irizarry) put the Irish at the Senators' 13.
But three incompletions ended their playoff run that saw them blast Akron Manchester, East Palestine and Girard by a combined 115-31.
"It just came down to one play and we just couldn't punch it in," said Clark, who passed for 221 yards by completing 17 of 35 throws.
"I'm thankful that the team stuck together to the end. I love every one of them," Clark said, fighting back tears. "Unfortunately, we just couldn't score the points for the lead."
Behind their huge line, the Senators ran 44 times for 221 yards.
The Irish gained 126 yards on 28 attempts.
williams@vindy.com