Monday, November 19, 2007
Mooney and Ursuline will represent the area in state semifinals this weekend.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — Arch-rivals Cardinal Mooney and Ursuline Highs, powered by prolific rushing offenses, will carry the area banner into the state semifinal football games this weekend.
Undefeated Mooney (13-0), coming off a 35-20 win over Steubenville last Saturday in a Division IV regional final, returns to Fawcett Stadium in Canton to play Marion Pleasant (12-1) Saturday at 7 p.m.
Ursuline (11-2), which beat South Range, 31-7, in a Div. V regional final last Friday, will oppose Columbus Ready (12-1) in a state semifinal Friday at Canton Central Catholic’s Klinefelter Field at 7:30 p.m. The Irish also get a repeat trip — they defeated Waynedale there in a regional semifinal.
Mooney, which built a 28-0 halftime lead over Steubenville, was led by an outstanding ground attack that produced 342 yards in 53 attempts.
Leading the way was Brandon Beachum, who rushed for 237 yards in 32 carries and scored three TDs.
The Cardinals, who were playing without injured quarterback Dan McCarthy, also got TDs from Tim Marlowe on a 69-yard punt return and Marlowe’s 5-yard TD pass to Mike Gemma.
That was Marlowe’s only completion of just two passes thrown in the game. Meanwhile, Ed Reese was 5-for-5 in extra points.
Marlowe filled in at quarterback for McCarthy, who is out for the season with a concussion.
“Marlowe fared very well,” said Mooney coach P.J. Fecko. “Timmy is a great athlete. He has made a lot of plays for us all season on offense, defense and special teams, and now with only a few plays at quarterback he made some great decisions and got our offense into some positive positions.”
Ursuline, which led South Range by 31-0 at the half and the three-quarter mark, also was powered by a prolific ground attack that manufactured 412 yards in 40 attempts.
The rushing offense was sparked by Darrell Mason and Allen Jones. Mason rushed for 142 yards in 10 carries and a 56-yard TD dash, while Jones churned for 127 yards in 12 carries and two TDs of 67 and 4 yards.
Dwaine Thomas got Ursuline’s other TD on a 4-yard run, while Lamar McQueen was 3-for-5 passing for 75 yards.
In addition, Michael Metzinger kicked a 30-yard FG and was 4-for-4 kicking extra points.
kovach@vindy.com