The Irish are one win away from reaching their goal of winning a state title.

By JOE SCALZO

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Back in the early spring, Ursuline High football coach Dan Reardon gathered his returning players for an all-night lock-in to build team unity and set goals for the upcoming fall.

And not small goals, either.

“We set a goal of winning a state championship,” said Reardon.

This was an eye-opener for three reasons.

First, the Irish had gone 8-12 over their past two seasons, missing the playoffs both times.

Second, they were losing their best player in Air Force recruit Matt Yarab.

Third, they were in the same region as Cardinal Mooney. (Or so they thought.)

“We had no idea what division we were going to be in,” said Reardon, whose team dropped to Div. V this fall. “We thought we’d be in Div. IV.”

That didn’t stop them from dreaming big. The Irish had six starters returning on both sides of the ball, including all-state defensive back Ross Revella, promising junior Darrell Mason and a good core of linemen. They added the final piece of the puzzle in the summer when former Wilson quarterback Lamar McQueen transferred following the school’s closing.

The only question was whether Ursuline could survive its schedule, which consisted of six schools in Div. I or II. Losses to Massillon (14-3) and Mooney (37-14) made things interesting, but the Irish ended the suspense with a huge overtime win over Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary in Week 10.

The Irish followed that up with dominating playoff victories over Bedford Chanel, Apple Creek Waynedale, South Range and Columbus Ready — winning by a combined score of 131-19 — to earn a spot in Friday’s state championship game against last year’s Div. VI champion, Maria Stein Marion Local.

When asked if he was happy to avoid Mooney in the playoffs, Reardon scoffed.

“No, we have a great rivalry with them,” he said.

“We have great respect for them, but if we had been in Div. IV, we would have competed with them. We play who we play.”

Marion Local has won 26 straight games, including a decisive 35-14 win over Div. IV state finalist Coldwater in Week Two, but Flyers coach Tim Goodwin said he hasn’t seen a team quite like Ursuline this season.

“Not really,” Goodwin said. “Ursuline, when you look at their roster and their starters, they’re just huge. They’re by far the biggest and most physical team we’ve went against.”

Although McQueen has thrown for 1,254 yards, the Irish are a run-first team.

McQueen, the district offensive player of the year, has rushed for 948 yards, while Mason has rushed for 1,100 yards and talented sophomore Allen Jones has 800. Led by Division I prospects Harold Coates and Justin Brown, the line has been dominant.

“I think balance means incorporating a lot of people on offense,” said Reardon.

“We’ve done that. We force you to defend every position on the field.”

This is just the second playoff team for Reardon in his five years at Ursuline, but he does have state experience. He was an assistant on Warren Harding’s 2002 Division I state runner-up team.

“The first thing you realize is how quickly this week goes,” said Reardon. “There’s so many things going on. Pep rallies. Excitement. This and that.

“I remember how much fun the whole process was for players and coaches. We were not on the winning end, but what an experience.”

scalzo@vindy.com