This year’s Kirk Herbstreit Challenge can be viewed this week on the NFL Network.

By J.J. BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

CANTON — It took three years for a team from the Mahoning Valley to receive an invitation to the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge.

But it took Cardinal Mooney only one game to prove why more area teams belong at the annual event.

The Cardinals racked up 313 yards of offense — including 264 on the ground — en route to a 27-6 victory over Gateway (Pennsylvania) Saturday night at Fawcett Stadium.

Mooney quarterback Dan McCarthy scored three touchdowns — two by ground and one by air — as the Cardinals improved to 2-0.

The senior ran 20 times for 130 yards and was 2-of-4 passing for 43 yards.

The impact

“It was a big win for the program and for all the people in the area,” McCarthy said. “We came out and showed a lot of heart, and I’m proud of all the guys on the team.”

Michael Zordich rushed eight times for 81 yards and scored once. His touchdown came after he intercepted Stephen Vranka’s pass at the Gateway 7-yard line, and two plays later he ran in from 6 yards out with 2:12 left in the first quarter. 

Zordich broke five tackles on a 57-yard run in the second quarter. On the next play, McCarthy scored on a quarterback draw from 24 yards out, giving the Cardinals a 14-0 lead with 10:32 left in the first half.

Mooney caused five Gateway turnovers, including two fumbles and three interceptions. Tim Marlowe had two interceptions while Ray Vinopal and Scott Brandenstein each recovered fumbles.

“This was one of the biggest wins for us in school history,” said Marlowe, a senior. “A lot of the credit goes to the coaches. They had us prepared and had us in the right spots.”

Good field position

It took Mooney less than a minute to score in each of its four scoring drives as it benefited from good field position on the turnovers. The Cardinals’ longest scoring drive was a three-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 43-yard pass from McCarthy to Marlowe with 5:24 left in the first half, putting Mooney ahead 20-0. The drive took one minute, 16 seconds.

“We forced those turnovers, and that’s always a big advantage to win the turnover ratio,” Mooney coach P.J. Fecko said. “And it came against an outstanding team. This was a fun event to play for Ohio.”

Mooney had just 22 yards of offense in the first quarter — along with 20 yards in penalties. But by the end of the first half the Cardinals tallied 234 yards, 185 of which came on the ground. 

The Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge matches some of the top Ohio football programs against an assortment of national teams.

In its 2005 inception the competition had just two games with only one out-of-state team, but grew from nine games last season to 11 this summer.

Powerhouse programs

This year’s Challenge, which can be viewed this week on NFL Network, featured 11 Ohio teams matched against powerhouse programs from Georgia, California, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Indiana, Alaska, North Carolina, Maryland and Kentucky.

For the Mooney players, the opportunity to represent the Mahoning Valley — and the state of Ohio — was an experience they’ll never forget, especially since the game can be viewed nationally.

“I’m sure we’ll be watching this one over the weekend,” Marlowe said. “It was a great win for us.”