OHIO FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS Irish loaded with talent in 2000

Eleven players off that team went on to play Division I college football.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The quarterback now throws for Washington State, one tailback went to Toledo, the fullback picked Villanova, one wide receiver chose Louisville, the tight end finally selected Ohio State, the center went to Bowling Green and a defensive end picked Miami (Ohio).
When it comes to one team sending players to top collegiate football competition, it's hard to imagine too many more successful than the 2000 Ursuline High squad that blasted through the Division IV playoffs.
"There was so much talent that the main thing for us was to put them on the field and then get out of the way," said Jim Vivo, who guided the Fighting Irish to their only state championship in just his second season as Ursuline's coach.
Ursuline's talented players included quarterback Josh Swogger, tailback Terrance Graves, fullback John Angelo, wide receiver Jimmy Riley, tight end Louis Irizarry, center Ross Kollar and defensive end Marcus Johnson.
Also on that Irish team were kicker Jon Ameen (Toledo), strong safety/wide receiver Simon Arias (Mercyhurst), lineman Brandon Brown (Youngstown State), cornerback Justin Adams (Mercyhurst), lineman Tom Manning (Mount Union), lineman Brandon Dotson (Mount Union), guard Rhyan Pegues (Mount Union), lineman Mark Ziemianski (YSU) and tackle John Bartos (YSU).
Freshman included Daryll Clark, Walter Lacey and Juan Vega (all seniors at Ursuline) and Delbert Ferguson (a transfer to Warren Harding). Their college decisions are still to be made.
"It was an amazing collection of talent," said Vivo, who coached Westerville North in 2002 and was offensive coordinator for Green this fall. "These kids were the most unselfish group I had ever been around.
"It's kind of hard to keep that many talented players happy when there's only one football to spread around," Vivo said. "Those kids really taught me a lot about what they can accomplish when you don't worry about whose name gets in the paper."
One close call
The only close call the Irish (14-1) experienced in the playoffs was in the state title game at Canton's Fawcett Stadium where they defeated Coldwater, 49-37, on a snowy, slippery field on Dec. 1, 2000.
While tailbacks Ferguson and Graves (a sophomore) were rushing for a combined 499 yards, Coldwater quarterback Kyle Hoyng broke the Div. IV state record for passing yards (422) by completing 28-of-47 passes.
After the game, Vivo said he and his staff "underestimated their offense. Their line was very good at picking up stunts and blitzes."
But the Coldwater run defense was helpless against the powerful Irish line springing Ferguson and Graves.
Ferguson, who broke a leg this fall while playing for the Raiders, broke four state title game records -- yards rushing (280), touchdowns (five), rushing touchdowns (five) and points (30). His touchdowns included runs of 41 and 68 yards.
Graves rushed for 219 yards and scored twice.
Irish trailed once
Coldwater led once in the game when Jeff Pax kicked a 21-yard field goal early in the second quarter for a 10-7 lead.
Ursuline answered with Ferguson's first two touchdowns (6 and 7 yards) for a 21-17 halftime lead.
After each team scored a touchdown in the third quarter, Ferguson broke free for a 41-yard run that put Ursuline ahead, 35-23.
The wild fourth quarter saw the teams score two more times each. Hoyng hit Tyler Vogel for touchdowns of 5 and 19 yards. Ferguson answered with scores of 8 and 68 yards.
And Ursuline had its only state football championship in its illustrious history.
williams@vindy.com