Mooney's Stoops ready to carry on family name

But the senior quarterback isn't putting any extra pressure on himself.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Meticulous about detail, analytical, intense, cautious, serious.
Sounds like attributes of a Stoops.
With a grandfather who was a defensive coaching icon, a father who is a high school assistant and uncles who are heavyweights in the college coaching world, what's a kid to do?
Upholding the family tradition isn't a role 18-year-old Ron Francis Stoops takes lightly.
"It's a great honor and I'm proud of it," the quarterback/strong safety on Cardinal Mooney's football team said. "I've got to live up to it and do the best I can."
The Stoops name brings high standards. But he's not putting extra pressure on himself.
"It hasn't been too much different than being anyone else, really," said the 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior who, simply, follows the mantra that preparation, hard work and execution pay dividends.
Family ties
Making first-team All-Steel Valley Conference at safety last year seemed to be appropriate for someone with genes from the late Mooney defensive coordinator for Don Bucci.
"I don't remember him a lot," Ron Stoops said of his grandfather with the same name. "It's mostly what I've heard about him, that he was very hard-working and a quiet leader."
Ron Stoops died in 1988 after suffering a heart attack on the sidelines during a Mooney game at Boardman.
Ron, the player's father, is defensive coordinator and receivers coach for current Mooney coach P.J. Fecko. Uncles Bob and Mike Stoops are head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively, at Oklahoma. Uncle Mark is defensive backs coach at the Miami (Fla.).
It's no wonder this Ron Stoops identifies with defense.
As safety, he's the defensive quarterback.
"It's knowing where the receivers are going to go or where other defenders are going to be," Stoops said.
The knack is important on the other side of the ball, too, where the quarterback has to know where his players -- as well as the defenders -- are at all times.
If that's the case, being ranked in the top 25 in his class can't hurt.
"It helps to have a good head on your shoulders and to know the game of football real well," Stoops said.
Good experience
Stoops lettered as a sophomore when Mooney had a 1-9 season, then saw full-time action last season when the Cardinals were 5-5. He played freshman ball for coach Mike Capp.
Ron's older sister, Melanie, will be a sophomore at Ohio State, but he has 12-year-old twin brothers -- Joey and John, who attend St. Charles. His mother is Bonnie.
The father's message to the son is simple, but succinct: know your responsibility, get it done and trust that everyone around you is going to do the same.
Ron Stoops said he's learned that the little things are important. An example for a safety is to stay square or parallel to the line of scrimmage to facilitate lateral movement. Another lesson is "to keep your eyes on everything."
A career highlight so far was last year's game at Shaker Heights where the Cards were down two touchdowns.
But a teammate's fumble recovery, Stoops' 45-yard TD pass to Gino Donatelli and recovery of an onside kick helped turn the tide.
Ron Stoops gave up baseball to devote himself to football, but he still plays basketball for the Cardinals.
Last season, he averaged 11 points per game as a guard and made second-team All-Steel Valley Conference.
The Mooney player wouldn't mind playing football where one of his uncles coaches, but only "if I'm good enough."
As any Stoops knows, hard work, year-round conditioning, comprehending the playbook and repetition are key ingredients toward perfection.
It's something to feel good about without boasting.
bassetti@vindy.com