Zordich enjoys longest season

The Mooney linebacker's father played for Penn State and in the NFL.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Michael Zordich, the sophomore at Cardinal Mooney High, is finding out what Michael Zordich, the former NFL player, found out.
It's a long season.
Zordich, a 16-year-old, is a starting inside linebacker for Mooney, which is approaching its 15th game.
His father played 12 seasons in the NFL seasons, playing 16 or more games.
But young Michael Zordich doesn't mind the extension, even if he isn't drawing a salary.
"It's exciting and I'm anxious to play," he said. "It's hard to pay attention to anything else this week."
The distraction is Mooney's Division IV state championship game with Coldwater on Saturday.
Last year, he was a freshman who served as a ballboy when the Cardinals defeated Versailles, 28-6.
Two sophomores start
Instead of dwelling on his statistics, the 6-foot, 205-pound Zordich feels privileged to be one of only two sophomore defensive starters.
Playing alongside senior Pat Kelley, Zordich has several assignments dancing in his head during a game.
In concert with those basic responsibilities are his instincts, ones that come naturally as the son of a 12-year NFL veteran.
"I'm probably best at getting to the ball. That's what I'm working on now," he said.
His dad has a similar assessment.
"He's pretty strong, has good speed for his size and he likes to be around the ball," said the elder Zordich. "He's also very level-headed."
After playing on an unbeaten freshman team in 2004, Zordich worked his way up and started halfway through this season.
"He was patient and worked his way into the starting lineup," the father said.
Coach
As an assistant on Mooney's staff, Michael Zordich is defensive backs coach.
Although he doesn't coach his son, the former Penn State All-American said he wouldn't have a problem doing so.
Instead, Paul "Chief" Palumbo is Michael Zordich's position coach.
"Mike enjoys being around him," the elder Zordich said.
The similarities between the father and son don't end at their appearance, speech and mannerisms.
Young Mike attended St. Christine grade school on the West Side, then Canfield Middle School before attending Mooney as a freshman.
His father attended St. Brendan's on the West Side and played for the late coach Red Saunders before playing at Chaney as a quarterback and safety.
If he truly follows in his father's footsteps, young Mike won't be able to escape being a vicious tackler.
"My dad always said that, on any given day, he'd rather have a great hit than an interception," said young Michael.
Arizona natives
Zordich, his 14-year-old brother, Alex, and 12-year-old sister Aidan were born in Arizona, but the boys spent some time around the NFL.
"They've experienced quite a bit," their father said of his days with the Eagles.
Mike said it's a great experience watching his son grow as a football player and interacting with his son at the biggest time of his life.
"Football-wise, we talk game plans and certain things to look out for, but that doesn't consume our conversation. We also talk about family and other things that are important."
For young Zordich, having an ex-NFL player as a father means much.
"He helps me so much when it comes to knowledge of the game. Being around him has really helped me strive to do better."
Mike agrees that he shares his father's personality, especially when something needs to be said.
"We're quiet except when we need to be loud. When we need to be leader that's when we open our mouths."
They share a lot, but not uniform numbers. Young Mike is No. 9 and his father was 36 with the Eagles.
One comment about his father that Mike Zordich remembers hearing while being around the Philadelphia players was made by Brian Dawkins, the team's current free safety: "I overheard him say he thought my dad was the craziest guy on the field."
bassetti@vindy.com