PREP PREVIEW Friday's state final
DIVISION IVMOONEY vs. PLAIN CITY JONATHAN ALDER
Game time: 11 a.m. at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon 11Radio/TV: WKBN-AM 570; ONN (live)Last meeting: First meeting.
Tickets: 9.
Mooney (13-0)Regular season
20Cuy. Falls Walsh Jesuit1428St. Francis (NY)040Akron Hoban1328Warren Harding1321Mentor Lake Catholic1652Cleveland Benedictine1447Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary710Ursuline032Columbus Watterson14
Playoffs
28CVCA041Perry050Orrville2149Bellaire7
Scouting report: Mooney is 38-14 all-time in 20 postseason appearances, winning state titles in 1973, 1980, 1982, 1987 and 2004. The Cardinals are 5-2 in the state championship game, losing in 1985 and 2005. As always, Mooney's offense is run-based, utilizing four different runners: QB Dan McCarthy, FB Michael Zordich and RBs Jamelle Bowers and Brandon Beachum. McCarthy's older brother, Kyle, was the MVP of the 2004 state championship game and now plays at Notre Dame. McCarthy, Zordich and Beachum form the so-called "Big Three" of the junior class. "Obviously, they're outstanding athletes, but they're also wonderful people," said Mooney coach P.J. Fecko. "Those guys all carry above a 3.0 in the classroom and they're total team players. They'll be the first to tell you that their success is based heavily on the guys around them." Mooney's line averages close to 300 pounds across, led by first team all-Ohioans Mike Madsen (a Miami, Ohio, recruit) and Ishmaai'ly Kitchen (the defensive player of the year in Div. IV), both seniors. McCarthy, the co-offensive player of the year in Div. IV, has a good arm, but the Cardinals have thrown just five times in the past two games combined. "They've got an outstanding football team," said Alder coach Steve Coate. "They've got a big line, speedy backs, a playmaker at quarterback and an outstanding defense. It should be a big test." The Cardinals' defense is the strength of the team, scoring three touchdowns in last week's win over Bellaire. First team all-Ohioan linebacker Zordich leads a fast and physical group. The Cardinals like to play man coverage, allowing them to use a variety of blitzes to put extreme pressure on the opposing quarterback. Junior defensive end Taylor Hill, a second team all-Ohioan, is basically unblockable one-on-one. Fecko has a 53-27 record in seven years with the Cardinals. His assistants are Paul Palumbo, Brendan McCloud, John D'Apolito, Ron Stoops, Mark Lyden, Chris Amill, Tom Velasquez, Mike Zordich and Don Augustine.
Jonathan Alder (13-1)Regular season
21Newark Licking Valley343Columbus Hamilton Township035Westerville Central1538Washington C.H. Miami Trace770London734Columbus Bishop Hartley017Columbus Bishop Ready1428Columbus St. Charles3448Greenfield McClain016Clarksville Clinton-Massie0
Playoffs
55Dayton Oakwood738Monroe Lemon-Monroe1717Blanchester024Oak Harbor7
Scouting report: Alder is 8-7 in eight postseason appearances. The Pioneers defeated Oak Harbor 24-7 in last week's state semifinal, returning two interceptions for touchdowns in the closing minutes to break open a tight game. "That kind of distorted the margin, but we're very pleased with how we played against them," said Alder coach Steve Coate. "We had a great game." Alder's offense is led by junior quarterback Austin Schlosser (6-0, 183), who has thrown for more than 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. "Physically, he's got a great arm," said Coate. "Sometimes he gets in trouble because he thinks he can get the ball in a lot of tight places. He's got one of the best throwing techniques I've ever seen and he's extremely competitive. He's got a never-give-up attitude." His main targets are seniors Zach Fleming and Kyle Rapp. "Zach is just a great player to coach," Coate said. "He wants to be extremely good and he works extra hours to perfect his routes. Him and Kyle Rapp make a pretty good tandem. It takes more than two guys to cover them." Luke Bates is the main running threat, although the Pioneers are a little stronger in the passing game than the running game. "We've taken the approach that we wanted to have an offense that can run the ball when we're able to and pass the ball when the defense puts more on the line of scrimmage," Coate said. "Last year we had three senior running backs and we had a very strong running game. This year, with the experience we had with our receivers, we throw a little more and run when we're able to." All 11 defensive starters started at least five or six games the year before, giving the Pioneers and deep and experienced group. It's led by senior Randy Hogston, a second team all-Ohioan. Senior linebackers Zack Graber, Josh Hamilton and Tim Beachy will be tested by Mooney's stout running game. Alder has no two-way players. "I'm sure that's extremely rare, especially in Division IV," said Coate. "We start with our freshman and our JVs and figure if they work three days of practice at one position instead of splitting up, in the long run they're going to be a pretty good player." Coate is in his first season as head coach of Alder, although he was an assistant under Barry Blackstone for five years. Blackstone stepped down after last season and is still the team's defensive coordinator. Mooney is a heavy favorite state-wide, but Fecko expects a difficult game. "Once again we face a very good opponent," he said. "They're good offensively and defensively and solid in the special teams. It's going to be a very daunting task and we'll have to play almost a perfect game to have a chance to compete with these guys."