The victors, the fans, the spoils

Mooney's principal received not only the state trophy but also a key to the city.
ON AN 18-INCH-BY-6-INCH EMPTY space in the middle of a trophy case near Cardinal Mooney High School's main entrance will soon rest the latest piece of Mooney hardware: a state football championship trophy, the school's fifth.
But Friday it was in the hands of the players who earned it, as hundreds of students, staff and alumni members attended a victory rally at the Youngstown diocesan high school.
Praise
State Sen. Bob Hagan, D-33rd, praised this year's state champions for their performance and for "dedicating your season to your fallen comrades," referring to Isiah M. Thomas and Anthony C. Childs, both of whom were killed March 27 in a car accident in Mill Creek Park.
County Commissioner Ed Reese led a school chant before shaking several players' hands. Reese is a 1977 Mooney graduate.
And Mayor George McKelvey presented Principal Sister Jane Marie Kudlacz with a key to the city of Youngstown.
But the most thunderous rounds of applause were reserved for the beginning and end of the hourlong event when the team and its head coach, P.J. Fecko, were introduced.
The players ran onto the basketball court to a standing ovation as "We are the Champions,'' a 1970s song by the rock group Queen, played behind them. Campbell then read the names of each player and member of the coaching staff.
Mooney (12-2) won the 2004 Division IV state championship game Dec. 3 in Canton by beating Versailles 28-6 in front of more than 7,900 fans.
A father's appreciation
John McCarthy, a real estate broker for Mayo & amp; Associates Inc. of Boardman and father of quarterback Kyle McCarthy, said the game was an opportunity for the school's alumni to come together and "rally behind the school." He also spoke modestly about his son's accomplishments on the field.
"My son was in the right place at the right time and fortunately he's blessed with speed to make the plays when they needed to be made," McCarthy said.
Kyle McCarthy ran 13 yards for the team's first touchdown, turned an interception into a score and connected on a 47-yard pass to tight end Dan Buccino for a third touchdown. On defense, McCarthy made three touchdown-saving tackles.
Chris Reider, Mooney's alumni association president, said "tradition" and "family" were the ingredients that went into the team's victory.
Anthony Patella, president of the Golden Cardinals Association, said many past Mooney graduates traveled long distances to attend the championship game. He also praised staff and players for turning the football team around after it went 0-10 in 2001.
"The kids are a part of the Mooney family," Patella said. "[Alumni members] look after the school, even though we're gone."
Mooney also won state championships in 1973, '80, '82 and '87.