Similar situation awaits Cards
Mooney has won 28 straight games since losing to
Coldwater in 2005.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — Dec. 3, 2005 was a cold day and P.J. Fecko’s state championship dreams were doused with a heavy dose of, well, cold water.
Cardinal Mooney has won two of the last three Div. IV state championships, but you can bet the Cardinals’ focus this week will be on the one they didn’t win.
Two years ago, in the state final at Fawcett Stadium, Coldwater ended the Cardinals’ dreams with a convincing 33-9 victory. Mooney hasn’t lost a game since and will look to avenge that 2005 loss on Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium in Massillon.
“Obviously it’s a unique situation,” said Fecko, whose team has won 28 straight games. “It’s a different setup and it’s a different team, but by the same token, it was in the state finals. These seniors were sophomores in that game and they’ve seen both ends of the state finals.”
Will they want revenge?
“It takes more than revenge to beat a team like Coldwater,” said Fecko.
“The game of football is more complex than that.”
Fecko doesn’t think about that game much, but he does remember feeling two things: cold and disappointment.
“The other thing that sticks out is what a great team Coldwater had,” he said.
There’s two other parallels to that game.
First, like the 2005 team, the Cardinals are trying to win back-to-back titles for the first time in school history.
The second involves Mooney’s quarterback. The 2005 starter, Derrell Johnson, was injured in the 2005 state semifinal and missed the championship game, which put a huge damper on the Cardinals’ chances.
This year, Mooney quarterback Dan McCarthy suffered a season-ending neck injury in the regional semifinals, meaning Mooney will once again play a backup against the Cavaliers.
“Danny’s obviously an outstanding player,” said Fecko. “He’s a leader of this team and he’s been our quarterback the last two years. Anytime you lose an athlete of his ability and a leader of his ability, it’s difficult to replace.
“But this is a team sport. There are a lot of other guys on the team.”
Senior Tim Marlowe, McCarthy’s best friend, has filled in well at quarterback the past two weeks, rushing for more than 100 yards last Saturday. Senior Brandon Beachum has topped 150 yards each of the last two weeks, while senior Michael Zordich has pounded out big yards inside, as he’s done all season.
Losing your quarterback always hurts, but this Mooney team seems better equipped to replace him than the 2005 team.
“Tim’s definitely done a good job filling in,” said Fecko.
Coldwater coach John Reed won his only state championship two years ago after losing in the state finals in 1998 (Orrville) and 2000 (Ursuline).
Like everyone else, he’s been impressed by the Cardinals this year.
“I think the thing that jumps out on film is their athleticism on both sides of the ball,” he said.
“It’s obvious they have great players and they’ve played against great teams throughout their schedule.
“They don’t have to suddenly take their game to the next level. They’ve already played at a level it takes to compete at this level.”
scalzo@vindy.com
Subscribe Today
Sign up for our email newsletter to receive daily news.
Want more? Click here to subscribe to either the Print or Digital Editions.
AP News