Fallen players are not forgotten

Teammates held on to the memories of two teammates who died in March.
CANTON -- The euphoria surrounding Cardinal Mooney's Division IV state championship Friday was tempered somewhat by the memories of two teammates who were lost prior to the season.
Anthony C. Childs, 18, and Isiah M. Thomas, 16, died from injuries suffered in an auto accident March 27 in Mill Creek Park.
Both were members of the Mooney football team.
"It has affected all of us," said senior lineman Jon Italiano. "We kept them in our minds and hearts from the beginning of the season.
"The last thing we talked about before we took the field tonight was how good it was going to feel to put that state championship ring on Isiah's dad's finger."
Burney bounced back
Junior tailback Nate Burney fumbled the first two times he carried the ball in Friday's game. The turnovers didn't result in any Versailles points, however, and after the coaching staff kept him out of one series, he returned with a vengeance.
Burney finished with a game-high 118 yards on 19 carries, an average of 6.2 yards per attempt.
"It started off a little rough for me," Burney said, "but the coaches kept their faith in me. They told me at halftime to put the first half behind me."
In the second half, Burney carried 13 times for 69 yards.
"This is the last time I am going to play with these seniors," Burney said. "It means a lot to me."
Burney also made mention of the friends he lost in March.
"I promised myself at the beginning of the season we were going to win state for them."
Traditions carried on
Italiano said he was proud to carry on the traditions of Mooney football: Championships and a family atmosphere.
"That's the thing you always learn about growing up," he said. "When we go back to the school we'll ring our victory bell. The seniors will run their last lap. It's exciting, but it's also going to be sad."
For coach P.J. Fecko, who played at Mooney and served as an assistant coach before succeeding Don Bucci as head coach, winning a state championship solidifies his place in the school's athletic heritage.
The title comes just three seasons after the Cardinals went winless, save for one win by forfeit.
"We put in place a clear plan that needed to be done," he said. "I've been blessed to play at this school and coach here.
"Tonight, we knew it was going to be a battle, and that sometime there would be a mismatch and somebody would pop out of there with a big play. Thank goodness we made more big ones."