PREP FOOTBALL Irish coast to 42-6 victory

Ursuline built a 21-0 halftime lead against Rayen.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- With the game just over two minutes old, Ursuline High's junior quarterback, Daryll Clark, found tight end Louis Irizarry open along the right sideline for a 28-yard touchdown pass.
The first of six Nick Royer conversion kicks made the score 7-0, and despite The Rayen School's stubborn first-half defense against the run, Ursuline led 21-0 at the half en route to a 42-6 victory, keeping its playoff hopes alive Thursday at Stambaugh Stadium.
The second Ursuline score came after the first of Derrick Stewart's three interceptions, when Clark scored from a yard out.
21-0 advantage
And after a 50-yard punt return by Isaiah Poindexter, Clark hit Irizarry for another score, this time from 34 yards out at 7:24 of the first half, for a 21-0 lead.
Ursuline's running game was held to 61 yards in the first half, but Terrence Graves and Delbert Ferguson ran for more than 120 yards in the second half, each scoring a touchdown.
"This was an emotional night for our guys with the seniors not sure if this would be their last game, but they came out and had some fun," said Ursuline coach Dan Murphy, whose team finished the regular season with a 5-5 record.
Clark, who was 8-of-13 for 138 yards and the two touchdowns, added, "This game was dedicated to the seniors who gave so much to this program."
Clark also praised Irizarry: "Louis found his way open for both scores."
Irizarry said, "Our pride told us we had to win this one and hope for the playoffs, but winning came first and now I hope we get the help we need."
Graves, a four-year starter who ran for 66 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown, summed up the Ursuline situation: "This is my 45th game at Ursuline and I sure hope it isn't my last."
A lot of offense
Ferguson ran for 95 yards on 15 carries as Ursuline compiled 19 first downs and nearly 400 total yards, while holding Rayen to nine first downs and 145 total yards.
Rayen (4-6) coach Pete Lymber said, "We were overmatched, but our kids played hard, especially on defense with injuries having our young people see a lot of action, which bodes well for the future."
The Tigers sacked Clark three times, all in the first half, but it was sophomore quarterback Mark Jones who gave Rayen a look at their future.
Jones, with his rifle arm, came into the contest in the final period and, following Evan Walker's 46-yard kickoff return, took Rayen to its only score. Jones hit Gerald Perkins with a 17-yard strike and then a 15-yard touchdown pass.
Jones passed for 58 yards and ran for 21.