Family legacies keep Mooney in the hunt

Four players on this year's Cardinal team had brothers playing last year.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mooney High football team again will have family tradition going for it when the Cardinals defend their Division IV state championship Saturday against Coldwater.
Four players on this year's Mooney's team -- Dom Scarnecchia, Jon Moffie, Dan McCarthy and Ryan Babyak -- all have brothers who played on last season's state-championship squad -- Victor Scarnecchia, Joshua Moffie, Kyle McCarthy and Dan Babyak -- to form the "Brothers Club."
While this year's four brothers are trying to help Mooney win its sixth state championship, all of their older brothers have gone on to college, some to continue playing football, while carrying with them the Mooney tradition.
Kyle McCarthy and Joshua Moffie now are playing at Notre Dame and The Citadel, respectively, while Victor Scarnecchia and Dan Babyak both are attending Miami (Ohio) but not playing football.
All came back
The collegiate brothers all returned to see Mooney win its last two playoff games, but had to return to school for finals and other reasons and won't be able to see Saturday's championship game, said Sam Moffie, the father of Joshua and Jon Moffie.
"There is a family tradition for football at Mooney," said Moffie. "These are brothers who all played together from fifth and sixth grades for the St. Charles Lions. Then they went on to play for the South Catholic team [combination of St. Charles, Holy Family, St. Luke and Byzantine Catholic Central]."
Moffie said that the parents of the four brothers also have become integral parts of the family football tradition at Mooney and very good friends, and continue to follow the team every year even after graduation.
"We met everyone through our kids," said Moffie. "As parents, you get involved in your kids' life."
Parents will see game together
He said the parents will be holding another reunion Saturday when they travel together to attend the game.
"[We] have rented a limo bus to go to all the games ever since they were freshmen at Mooney," said Moffie. "We've gone to all their away games. Even the empty-nesters continue to come back with us. It is a real family affair that hasn't stopped. And we'll be tailgating [Saturday]."
Moffie said that two of this year's brothers play a lot.
"Dom Scarnecchia is a starting cornerback," said Moffie. "Dan McCarthy gets extensive playing time on special teams and replaces [running back Nate] Burney when he is tired and also plays a nickel back on defense."
The other two are subs and preparing for the future.
"Jon Moffie and Ryan Babyak start on the [junior varsity]," said Moffie, noting that they don't see any varsity action.
Three started last year
Moffie said that three of last year's brothers -- Kyle McCarthy, Joshua Moffie and Dan Babyak -- were starters as seniors.
"Kyle was Mr. Everything. He played quarterback, safety and returned punts and kickoffs," said Moffie.
"Josh Moffie was the starting middle linebacker and blocking back. My son blocked. He never ran the ball. He was like a blocking lineman in the backfield. He blocked for Kyle McCarthy and Nate Burney.
"Dan Babyak started at wide receiver and played on special teams [while] Victor Scarnecchia played outside linebacker and special teams."
On to college football
Moffie said that two of the collegiate brothers -- Kyle McCarthy and Joshu Moffie -- are playing football.
"For awhile, Kyle McCathy was a second-string safety at Notre Dame but injured his shoulder in practice and had surgery and probably will be a medical redshirt," said Moffie, while "Josh Moffie is a middle linebacker at The Citadel and has been redshirted."
Moffie said Victor Scarnecchia and Dan Babyak "didn't want to play football in college. Victor Scarnecchia had the highest [grade-point average] last year on the team, and has an academic scholarship to Miami. Babyak is rooming with Victor and is interested in pursuing baseball at Miami. That was his better sport. He is planning to be a walk-on."
kovach@vindy.com