SVC Mooney rebounds for big win

Harding blew a 19-point lead to earn its third-straight loss.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mooney High football players Derrell Johnson and Nate Burney put on a spectacular rushing display to bring the Cardinals back from a 19-point second-quarter deficit against Warren Harding.
The duo rushed for 495 yards and five touchdowns as Mooney rallied for a 36-19 victory Saturday at Youngstown State University's Stambaugh Stadium.
The Division IV Cardinals (4-0, 1-0 Steel Valley Conference) handed the Raiders (1-3, 0-1) their third straight defeat and break a five-year winless streak against Harding.
"I was a little shocked that we got down so quick," Mooney quarterback Johnson said. "We settled down and played hard and things took care of themselves.
"We worked hard this week to prepare and it paid off," Johnson said.
Plenty of daylight
After a slow first-quarter start, Johnson and Burney found lots of daylight behind a huge offensive line.
Johnson finished with 245 yards rushing in 16 carries, including a 73-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give Mooney momentum for a strong second-half surge.
The Cardinals took control in the final two periods by scoring on all four possessions.
Burney, who rushed for 250 yards on 23 carries, scored twice in the third quarter on runs of 20 and 79 yards.
Not to be outdone, Johnson added scoring runs of 41 and 19 yards as Mooney pulled away.
Harding was led by tailback Dan Herron, who rushed for 289 yards on 26 carries as he helped the Raiders jump out to the quick start.
Cardinal Mooney coach P.J. Fecko wasn't necessarily surprised by Harding's success.
"Nobody here thought that Harding wasn't any good," Fecko said. "They are a good football team and we knew that they were capable of what they did to us at the start.
"I think we did a better job of tackling and played with a lot more confidence in the second half."
Harding strikes first
Harding opened the scoring by taking the opening kickoff and marching 66 yards in seven plays.
Sidney Glover scored on a 10-yard keeper following a 45-yard run by Herron. Alena Westover's kick gave the Raiders a 7-0 lead.
On Mooney's first possession, Glover blocked a Cardinals' punt and the Raiders took over at midfield. Herron then ripped off another run of 50 yards for a score.
Harding scored again early in the second quarter following Chris Rucker's interception of Johnson's pass.
The Raiders went 72 yards in only six plays before Glover scored from six yards out to give Harding a 19-0 lead. The score was set up by Herron's 61-yard run.
Mooney got back into the game near the end of the first half on a spectacular, 73-yard scoring run by Johnson which pulled the Cardinals within 12 points at halftime.