Maria Stein Marion Local stopped Ursuline 20-14 in the Division V championship game.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

MASSILLON — After smooth cruises to four playoff victories, the Ursuline High football team found itself on a roller coaster in Friday’s grand finale.

And when Friday’s bouncy ride came to a complete and final stop, the Irish’s fabled luck ran out in the Division V state championship game at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Like Ursuline, Maria Stein Marion Local was new to Div. V this season. And like last year, when Marion Local won the Div. VI crown, the Flyers are state champions again after a 20-14 victory.

In the fourth quarter, it appeared the Irish had found some magic to engineer their second title in eight seasons.

Thanks to defensive end Justin Brown’s strip and 50-yard return of running back Luke Holman’s giveaway, the score was tied 14-all with momentum back on the Ursuline side with 7:37 to go.

It didn’t stay long. Ben Smith’s kickoff return to the Ursuline 15 sent the field-position battle back in the Flyers’ favor.

Two minutes later, Flyers defensive end Luke Bertke intercepted Irish quarterback Lamar McQueen and returned the ball 19 yards for a 20-14 lead.

“Last time [we were in a game like this] was last year against Mooney, and we ended up at the bottom of that one, too,” Ursuline senior defensive back Ross Revella said. “My stomach was churning the whole entire game. I thought I was going to throw up before the game, halftime, fourth quarter.”

Ursuline (12-3) coach Dan Reardon credited Marion Local (15-0).

“They are an outstanding football team,” the Irish’s fourth-year coach said. “It seemed as if every single time were able getting something going on offense, their defense would come up with a big play.”

The Flyers, who won their fourth crown in eight seasons, did it with defense, limiting Ursuline’s powerful rushing attack to 98 yards.

McQueen led the Irish with 69 yards on 18 carries. Starter Darrell Mason was limited to 11 yards on 12 carries while Allen Jones ran six times for 20 yards.

McQueen’s arm and wide receiver Dale Peterman’s legs generated the Irish’s only lead.

Early in the second quarter, Peterman got behind the Flyers’ secondary and hauled in McQueen’s pass at the 35. Peterman’s legs carried him into the end zone for a 7-0 lead 11:09 before halftime.

“There was a corner on me, they were in man coverage, and I made an outside move,” said Peterman of his escape for the Div. V record.

Asked if he felt home free with ball, Peterman replied, “Not really because right after I caught it, I stumbled and almost fell. But I kept my feet and kept running.”

Flyers coach Tim Goodwin said his sideline had concern.

“They hit that big pass and we were starting to wonder a little bit on our sideline that maybe we’re outgunned a little bit,” Goodwin said.

The Flyers responded with a long march that stalled at the Ursuline 5 when linebacker Nick McGahagan knocked away quarterback Chris Stucke’s pass on fourth and 3.

Four plays later, Irish punter John Colla stood in the end zone, dropped a bad snap then punted into Flyers defender Greg Koesters.

“I saw him fumble it and I knew it was go time,” Koesters said.

Dustin Heitkamp fell on the blocked ball and Dan Fortkamp’s extra-point kick tied the game.

Right before halftime, the Flyers generated a 69-yard drive propelled by Stucke’s 27-yard run. Stucke hit Alex Moeller for a 22-yard score and 14-7 lead.

“It was just like a roller coaster,” said Stucke who rushed 12 times for 70 yards and passes for 76 more. “One minute they score and we’re down, the next we make a big play and are on Cloud Nine.”

Goodwin was pleased with how his players responded after Brown’s huge play to tie the game.

“We tried to be as positive as possible after we said, ‘Holy Cow, what a great play that kid made,’ ” Goodwin said. “He stripped the ball from Luke and ran right over Chris. It was like Superman out there.”

Goodwin said the comeback showed “things like that don’t bother them. They are tough kids mentally.”

And state champs once again.