Mooney's blockers, tacklers show way
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- In football, if the offensive line doesn't block and the defense doesn't tackle, it is highly unlikely that any team will win any games against good competition.
But if the offensive line is opening holes, then the skilled players like ballcarriers, passers and receivers have good chances of gaining yards and scoring.
And if the defense is doing its job, the team has a good shot at winning some games.
Such is the case with the Cardinal Mooney High team, which is only two wins away from its second straight Division IV state championship after disposing of Canton Central Catholic, 30-12, last Saturday at Twinsburg Stadium.
The Cardinals, who returned only one starting lineman on offense (senior center Colin Chambers) and two starting defensive players (senior safety Nate Burney and senior defensive back Desmond Marrow), have rebuilt their blocking and defensive teams to reinforce these three returning veterans.
As a result, skilled players like senior running back and overall workhorse Nate Burney, senior quarterback Derrell Johnson and senior wideout Desmond Marrow have been able to pile up the yardage and light up the scoreboard.
That is the main reason that Mooney (11-2) will be playing Bellaire (13-0) Saturday at 7 p.m. at Steubenville Harding Stadium in a state semifinal, according coach P.J. Fecko.
Line is key
"That's where everything starts. The lines are where it all starts. The lines have to establish the line of scrimmage in order for the skilled players to excel," said Fecko, who has a 42-26 record in five seasons, including 23-4 over the last two years and 12-2 last year for the state championship.
Fecko said that against Canton Central Catholic, "Our offensive and defensive lines did a good job controlling the line of scrimmage," and that the offensive line "did a good job playing as a unit. They communicated well and came off the ball and were very physical."But what also helped the Cardinals was their strong start in the game.
"What helped us was our ability to gain momentum early in the game by scoring on the first play," Fecko said. "Then we caused a turnovers and scored another TD. We had a lot of momentum."
Fecko said he believes that senior guard George Clarke, who is the only other returning offensive lineman, and Chambers have given Mooney an experienced nucleus to influence the three new starting offensive linemen -- tackles Ishmaaily Kitchen and Mike Madson and guard Demetrius Fambro, all juniors.
"Chambers and Clarke have had a positive effect on these the three new starters," Fecko said. "The three didn't start on the offensive line last year and they are all juniors. They impress me how fast they have come along. They had no experience."
Chambers is keystone
Fecko said Chambers, a two-year starter and first-year captain who calls all of the offensive line signals, has been the keystone to the offensive line because of his leadership ability and experience.
"Colin's ability to lead has been a key attribute. He took control of the line and has been a good leader," said Fecko, who also acknowledged the contribution of Zach Dietz, a junior guard-center.
In addition to Chambers, the other captains are Burney, Marrow and Pat Kelley, a senior fullback-linebacker.
"Their experience and leadership have been key factors," Fecko said of his four captains. "You can't teach experience and they have 15 games under their belt."
Kelley develops on defense
Mooney's defense also has been a work in progress. The Cardinals didn't have any returning starters on the defensive line and only two starters back overall on defense with Burney at safety and Marrow at cornerback.
But Kelley, a senior linebacker back from last year, has developed into one of the defensive leaders to complement Burney and Marrow, while the rest of the defense also matured quickly.
Fecko said Kelley "makes all the defensive calls. He makes all the adjustments in the line and with the linebackers. He's kind of the quarterback for the defensive crew.
"Kelly is among our leading tacklers."
Chambers is seeing double duty at defensive tackle along with Fambro and Kitchen, who also have developed into sound defenders.
The Cardinals' other defensive standouts are senior Robert Walker and junior Jack Zizzo at defensive ends andCalvin Littlejohn and Michael Zordich at linebackers.
kovach@vindy.com