MOONEY-CHAGRIN FALLS Points rarely result when strong defenses take root

The Division IV regional semifinal game is Friday at West Branch.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Cardinal Mooney and Chagrin Falls, two teams with strong defenses who are riding substantial winning streaks, will clash Friday in a Division IV regional semifinal game at West Branch High's Heacock Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
Mooney (8-2), which has won four games in a row since losing to Cleveland Benedictine Oct. 8, 49-25, built a 42-0 lead over Garrettsville Garfield last Friday and went on to a 42-21 win to advance. The Cardinals held the G-Men to 143 yards rushing.
Chagrin Falls (9-2), which has won eight games in a row since losing to Liberty in the third game of the season, 7-3, limited Massillon Tuslaw to only 145 yards, including 133 rushing, in posting a 26-8 win last week to advance.
Chagrin Falls' only other loss was to Hunting Valley University School in week two, 27-21. Mooney's other defeat came at the hands of Warren Harding, 22-20, in the fourth game.
Friday's winner will advance to a regional final against the winner of Friday's other regional semifinal between Ursuline (7-4) and Liberty (10-1), who meet at Austintown Fitch Falcon Stadium, also at 7:30 p.m.
Mooney beat Ursuline on Oct. 22, 55-27.
Defense pitches shutout
"Our defense didn't give up any points [against Tuslaw]," said Chagrin Falls coach Mark Iammarino, who is in his 10th season, noting that Tuslaw's only TD came when their defense stripped the ball and went the distance.
Iammarino said three linebackers spearheaded the Tigers' defense, led by middle linebacker Quinn Canter with 12 tackles, while Tim Herbener added 11 and Drew Ward nine .
"Our three linebackers did an exceptional job and our safety Zak Gebler also had 10 tackles and caused a fumble," said Iammarino, whose Tigers are in their fourth trip to the playoffs. Their deepest advance was to a regional semifinal three years ago against Canton Central Catholic, in which they lost, 27-26.
Chagrin Falls' offense against Tuslaw was led by tailback Josh Menendez with 150 yards rushing and quarterback Mike Hermanson, who was 14-for-25 passing for 200 yards and three TDs.
Mooney has tested team
But the Tigers will have their hands full with Mooney, which has been tested by high-quality teams throughout the season and also boasts a potent offense and a big-and-strong offensive line.
Quarterback P.J. McCarthy, who is very fast and elusive in the open field, keyed the win over Garfield by streaking for two touchdowns on long runs (34 and 86 yards), and helping to set up two other scores on another long run (85 yards) and a pass (33 yards).
He wound up with 225 yards rushing in nine carries.
kovach@vindy.com