Mooney rolls, Bellaire next

The Cardinals took a 30-0 lead over Central Catholic and won 30-12.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
TWINSBURG -- Want to know why Canton Central Catholic didn't come close to beating Cardinal Mooney this season?
"They're better than we are," Central coach Lowell Klinefelter said. "We couldn't control their speed and they're more physical up front."
The Cardinals, who defeated the Crusaders 42-14 in Week Five, put on an equally dominating performance in Saturday's Division IV regional final, jumping out to a 30-0 lead en route to a 30-12 victory at Twinsburg Stadium.
Mooney (11-2) will meet Bellaire in next Saturday's state semifinal in Steubenville.
"I felt going in that [the Crusaders] were a much better football team than they were the first time we faced them," Mooney coach P.J. Fecko said. "They were playing with a tremendous amount of confidence.
"Fortunately, we were able to counter that."
Johnson scores on first play
Mooney wasted no time getting the lead as quarterback Derrell Johnson scored on the game's first offensive play, play-faking to Nate Burney and then taking it himself around the left end, out-running the Central defense for an 83-yard score.
Will Kandray's extra-point attempt was blocked, but that was one of the few things that didn't go right for the Cardinals in the first three quarters.
"Fortunately, we were able to get off to a great start and that kind of swung the momentum our way," Fecko said.
Added Klinefelter, "That play really took the wind out of our sails."
With four minutes left in the quarter, Mooney defensive tackle Ishmaaily Kitchen stripped Central quarterback Joey Rhoads. Burney -- the district offensive player of the year -- picked up the fumble and raced untouched for a 44-yard score to give the Cardinals a 13-0 lead.
"I just saw the quarterback running and he had the ball in his hand, so I just tried to stick my hand in there," said Kitchen, who earned first-team all-district honors this week. "Fortunately I was able to knock the ball loose."
Burney delivers
Burney scored again early in the second quarter on a 1-yard run to make it 20-0.
One play earlier, Burney broke free for a 42-yard run, benefiting from an excellent downfield block by Desmond Marrow -- the district defensive player of the year.
Kandray added a 44-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to make it 23-0. Burney, who finished with 154 yards on 16 carries, had nine carries for 105 yards in the first half. Johnson added nine for 136 in the first half, finishing with 157 yards on 11 carries.
Burney finished out the scoring for Mooney with a 5-yard TD run late in the third quarter. Johnson was 2-of-3 for 31 yards passing and the Cardinals finished with 360 yards on the ground.
"I think the guys up front did a pretty good job of opening holes all night and that allowed Derrell and Nate to do their thing," Fecko said.
"Our coaches just told us to play hard and play physical," added Kitchen, a 6-4, 302-pound tackle. "Everyone played their hearts out."
Central scored twice in the fourth quarter on Charles Saulter TD runs of 26 and 54 yards.
Saulter finished with 19 carries for 146 yards -- 124 in the fourth quarter.
Three turnovers
Central (9-4) had three turnovers, including interceptions by Dan McCarthy and Burney. The Crusaders had 252 yards rushing and 38 passing.
"You've got to give them credit," said Klinefelter of Mooney. "They're just a better football team than we are. We wish them all the luck."
It was the second straight regional title for Mooney. The Cardinals defeated Liberty 14-6 in last year's regional championship game and went on to defeat Versailles in the state championship game 28-6 for their fifth state title.
The Crusaders, who won a Div. III state championship in 2000, were making their first playoff appearance since losing in the regional final in 2001 to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary when LeBron James was a standout wideout for the Irish.
scalzo@vindy.com