Mooney mania fuels pep rally

YOUNGSTOWN — It may seem to some people that after a high school football team reaches the state championship game three consecutive years, the excitement could reach a plateau in anticipation of the third go-around.

But don’t tell that to Joe St. George.

“It’s even more exciting than before,” said St. George, a Cardinal Mooney High School senior and student council president. “We’re building a dynasty and it’s real fun to be part of a dynasty.”

St. George was talking about the Cardinals (13-0), who have found themselves in the state title game for the third time in as many years. The team will play Plain City Jonathan Alder (13-1) in the Division IV championship game at 11 a.m. today at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.

On Thursday, St. George was a ubiquitous figure as he led an hourlong pep rally at the school. The event was intended to get students, staff, parents and alumni fired up for the game and to honor the team.

“Each week, this team has gotten better. You see it on the field and in their temperament in school,” added St. George, wearing a red feathered hat and pink sports jacket.

Little empty wall space in the gym greeted those who attended the rally. Instead, students and others couldn’t help but notice several banners that left little to the imagination: “Pulverize Plain City,” “State bound Mooney-licious” and “Winnin’ is our biz-ness & biz-ness is gooood.”