2008 Ursuline Vs. Kirtland

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Ursuline Regional Champs 08

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Despite getting hit hard by graduation, the Irish line has jelled and excelled this fall.

By Joe Scalzo

YOUNGSTOWN — Senior Dan Baco, Ursuline’s self-proclaimed “serious” offensive lineman, couldn’t even stay on message for two seconds when asked to describe his fellow linemen.

“[Mike] Herns is the guy who kind of knows what’s going on and kind of doesn’t,” said Baco.

“Yeah, he’s always 50-50,” added senior Matt Krause.

Since Herns wasn’t there to defend himself, that role fell to Irish coach Dan Reardon, who was doing a TV interview a few feet away.

“Hey guys,” Reardon said, trying to stifle a grin. “Maybe you could point out the positives?”

“Oh sure,” Baco said. “Herns is a really good player.”

One of the biggest reasons Ursuline is off to its best start in school history is because its line has allowed the Irish to control the line of scrimmage, clearing holes for their bevy of talented running backs en route to a 13-0 record and a second-straight berth in the state semifinals.

And one of the biggest reasons the line has been so successful is because it has terrific chemistry, which allows them to get away with busting on each other.

“We’re a real close group,” said Krause, a first-team all-district guard. “We trust each other and we love playing with each other.

“We have each other’s back, no matter what.”

Although the top-ranked Irish (13-0) have been state championship favorites since August, they entered the season with a few question marks. None was bigger than the offensive line.

Ursuline graduated four starters in its front five, including two Division I-level linemen in Justin Brown and Harold Coates.

“We had to replace a handful of starters and we knew we had quality people to do it,” said Reardon. “But at the beginning of the season, it was uncertain who was gonna fit in what mold at what part.”

They didn’t have much time to develop, either. With all-Ohioan Jamel Turner anchoring a talented defense front, the Irish linemen could either compete in practice or get embarrassed.

In an effort to use all his talent, and to give his starters a breather, Reardon has rotated more than five linemen.

Krause (5-10, 225), who came over from Chaney last year after his family moved to Austintown, mans one guard position while Baco (6-2, 265), a four-year letterman who is getting looks from YSU and Villanova, mans the other. Junior Joey Wess (5-10, 224) also sees plenty of action at guard and junior David Rossi (5-11, 214) plays center. Three players rotate at tackle: Sophomore Zach Conlan (5-11, 289), senior Herns (6-4, 264) and senior Josh Bermann (6-1, 248).

When naming linemen, Reardon also mentions fullbacks Dwight Wright and Jimmy Mszanski.

“They’re just guards wearing [different] numbers,” he said.

Rossi, Conlan and Krause are jokesters. Baco and Bermann are serious. Herns is both. Krause is the smartest — he holds a 3.8 grade point average and is in National Honor Society. Krause and Baco are captains, although Baco said he’s the leader of the line.

“When it comes time to go on the field, I have to be the guy who settles us down,” said Baco.

When asked if he agreed, Krause said, “I ain’t gonna burst his bubble. I do that all the time.”

It’s a diverse group with diverse backgrounds, but it clearly works. The Irish, relying mainly on their ground game this year, average 34 points per game and need fewer than 100 yards rushing this weekend to reach 3,000 on the season. Four Irish players have at least 400 yards rushing, led by junior Allen Jones (950 yards, 15 TDs).

“We’ve come together extremely well,” said Baco. “From the front five to the entire team, if something goes wrong, we’re here for each other.

“When we say we’re a family, we mean it.”

That growth has come through the bad times and, now, the good ones. The seniors went 8-12 over their first two seasons and 25-3 over the last two. Now Ursuline has a chance to do what the 14-1 2000 team couldn’t — win a state title and go unbeaten.

“We’ve worked hard to go from 3-7 to now having a chance to make history,” said Baco. “That’s something that’s real important to all of us.”

scalzo@vindy.com