Ursuline coach Dan Reardon says the next opponent deserves recognition for an impressive 12-1
Ursuline Regional Champs 08
2008 Ursuline Vs. Kirtland
By Tom Williams
Ursuline coach Dan Reardon says the next opponent deserves recognition for an impressive 12-1 record.
YOUNGSTOWN — When you’re the coach of the top-ranked Division V team in the state, every playoff opponent is generally considered to be the underdog.
In Saturday’s state semifinal contest, undefeated Ursuline will take on Liberty Union from the Fairfield County community of Baltimore.
But Irish (13-0) coach Dan Reardon is not ready to slip a glass slipper on to the Lions (12-1) even though they were the sixth seed when the Region 19 playoffs began three weeks ago.
Asked if Liberty Union might be attempting to write a Cinderella story, Reardon disagreed.
“The only reason they didn’t earn a [first-round] home game was because of secondary [computer ratings] points,” Reardon said. “They were 9-1 [in the regular season] so calling them Cinderella wouldn’t be entirely accurate.
“They are a very, very good football team.”
Reardon and his staff already have begun studying film of the Lions, who are making their third appearance in the state tournament. Liberty Union last qualified for the postseason in 1999.
“They are a very physical team and not real fancy scheme-wise,” Reardon said. “They run the ball effectively and have a physical defense. That seems to be a common thread among teams still alive this late.”
Reardon should know.
Last year’s Irish advanced to the state title game where they lost to Maria Stein Marion Local, 20-14.
Marion Local (12-1) remains alive in this year’s tournament after beating West Jefferson, 21-14, in the Region 20 final.
Saturday, Marion Local will play Findlay Liberty-Benton in the other state semifinal in Findlay.
Liberty-Benton (13-0) shut out Hamler Patrick Henry, 28-0, in the Region 18 final. Three years ago, Patrick Henry team won the state title after defeating South Range in the state semifinals.
Many expected Ursuline to be matched up with Liberty-Benton in the state semifinal. Reardon was not one of them because he had been told that the Region 17 winner would face the Region 19 champion, just like last season.
Ursuline defeated Columbus Bishop Ready in the 2007 state semifinals. Saturday, Liberty Union defeated Ready, 13-3.
Ursuline advanced by defeating Kirtland, 18-17, at Mollenkopf Stadium.
The Irish trailed 17-12 midway through the fourth quarter.
Ursuline lived up to its reputation and top-ranked status by engineering a scoring drive capped by wide receiver Dale Peterman’s 37-yard touchdown reception with 2:29 to go.
Peterman caught quarterback Dawalyn Harper’s short toss then zipped through the middle of the field for the deciding points.
Reardon was impressed with that catch as well as Peterman’s interception in the first half that thwarted a Kirtland threat.
Also impressing the coach was two-way lineman Matt Krause.
“He played extremely well on offense and defense,” said Reardon of his second-year two-way starter.
Allen Jones scored Ursuline’s other touchdowns in the one-point win. One came in a 29-yard run in the first quarter while the other covered 42 yards in the third quarter. He finished with 169 yards on 15 carries.
The Irish defense limited Kirtland to 90 yards rushing on 43 carries and 160 yards passing.
Ursuline was penalized 106 yards on 10 infractions.
Reardon suggested it’s way too soon to worry about teams west of Columbus.
“We’re pretty focused on the task at hand,” the fifth-year head coach said. “We’re not paying too much attention to the other side of the state.”
williams@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