Mooney overcomes the loss of its leader

The Cardinals again advance to the state
semifinals.

By JOE SCALZO

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

CANTON — One of the best players in the state came out of the locker room Saturday night wearing a Mooney jacket over his game jersey, a pair of jeans and Timberland boots.

He spent the warm-ups walking up to every player on his team, exchanging high-fives, hugs and encouraging words.

Dan McCarthy may not have been playing, but he was definitely part of the team.

“I just tried to encourage everyone and help anyway I could,” said McCarthy, a senior quarterback/safety who suffered a neck injury last weekend and will miss the rest of the season. “It’s all I could do.”

In turn, his teammates did all they could do in his absence, forcing four first-half turnovers en route to a 35-20 win over Steubenville in a Division IV regional final in front of 11,327 fans at Fawcett Stadium.

“Those guys played their hearts out,” said McCarthy, who had never missed a football game before Saturday. “I couldn’t be more proud.” McCarthy is headed to the University of Notre Dame after graduation.

In his place, senior Tim Marlowe threw for a touchdown, returned a punt for a touchdown and helped fill the void left by McCarthy, one of the finalists for Ohio’s Mr. Football award.

“We won this regional championship for him,” Marlowe said. “He’s definitely our captain.”

Mooney (13-0) won its 27th straight game and ended a 42-game winning streak for Big Red (12-1), which had won the past two Division III state titles.

The Cardinals improved to 4-0 all-time against Steubenville, with all four wins coming in the playoffs (1981, 1982, 1985 and this year).

Mooney will play in a state semifinal next Saturday. The opponent and site will be announced today.

The Cardinals have played in three state championship games, winning last season and in 2004. Mooney has six state titles overall, also winning crowns in 1973, 1980, 1982 and 1987.