Cardinals struggle in 33-9 loss

By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANTON -- For the Mooney High football team, nothing proved harder than defending its state championship.
Minus the running threat created by an injury to quarterback Derrell Johnson, Mooney's offense struggled against a strong Coldwater defense in a 33-9 loss Saturday at Fawcett Stadium in the Division IV title contest.
"They are worthy champions, no question," said Mooney coach P.J. Fecko after the Cavaliers limited Mooney's offense to no touchdowns, 29 yards passing and 97 yards rushing.
Cardinals senior Desmond Marrow admitted that winning the championship a year ago generated added pressure.
"Everybody probably marked us on their schedules because everyone wants to beat us," Marrow said.
Burney short of record
Senior Nate Burney rushed for 136 yards on 33 carries, finishing his career 26 yards short of Ted Bell's school record of 4,428.
Johnson's absence made a difference, Coldwater linebacker Ross Homan said.
"It was a little easier because with Johnson out there it's like having two running backs in the backfield," the Ohio State recruit said. "With the misdirection they can give, it could be Burney or Johnson. With Johnson out of there, we keyed on Burney and it made it a lot easier for us."
Just 92 seconds into the game, Mooney trailed 6-0 as the Cavaliers drove 60 yards on six plays.
Perfect pass play
In the end zone, Justin Kahlig reached over Mooney defender Dom Scarnecchia to pull down a high toss from quarterback Steve Borger for a 35-yard touchdown.
"I knew he had his guy burned a little bit -- I had to make a perfect pass," Borger said. "Justin made a heckuva catch. He had to turn around and lay it out -- it was a great adjustment."
The extra-point kick failed, keeping Coldwater's lead at 6-0.
Mooney responded with their own scoring drive capped by Will Kandray's 32-yard field goal.
Late in the first quarter, Mooney defender Robert Walker hit Borger as he was throwing and Jack Zizzo intercepted, returning the ball to the Coldwater 31.
Costly fumble
Moments later came the play that knocked the wind out of the Cardinals' sails. Coldwater's Ryan Geier sacked quarterback Tony Brunetti for a 23-yard loss and the ball popped loose. Gaston Pleiman scooped up the ball and raced 70 yards for a 12-3 lead.
"That was a great momentum swing," Fecko said. "It was 6-3 and we were inside the 10 and we're looking at points and it turns around with them getting points. We could have made it 10-6 or 6-6."
Blocked punt helped
Trailing 13-3 on the first play of the second quarter, Mooney defender Dan McCarthy blocked Brady Geier's punt. Walker returned the ball 36 yards for Mooney's touchdown. The extra point kick missed, keeping Coldwater ahead by four points.
On their next possession, the Cavaliers marched 73 yards on eight plays. Borger hit Geier on a crossing pattern in the end zone for a 20-9 lead.
The biggest play of the scoreless third quarter was a Geier punt that rolled to the Mooney 1.
Kandray's punt four plays later was returned by Kahlig to the Mooney 15.
Homan broke right and scored a 15-yard touchdown for a 27-9 lead with 11:54 to play.
"It's very hard," said Mooney linebacker Pat Kelley of playing a year after winning it all. "The season begins with a big target on your back -- everyone is looking for you. It's hard to get to this point, but we're just glad to be here.
"They were probably the toughest team we were up against all year as far as blocking and down-and-out physicalness," Kelley said.
williams@vindy.com