By John Kovach

Findlay Liberty-Benton has 11 shutouts this year.

YOUNGSTOWN — The undefeated Ursuline High football team (14-0) certainly has a lot of offensive weapons in its arsenal this season.

That was proved throughout the year, including in last Saturday’s 35-0 win over Baltimore Liberty Union in a Division V state semifinal, led by the 1-2 rushing punch from Allen Jones and Akise Teague.

The two running backs combined for 306 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Paul Kempe threw for 100 yards, including a 63-yard TD pass to Dale Peterman, and six different players got into the scoring act.

But, the question is: Can the Irish defense, which has managed to contain 14 opponents so that the team could stay undefeated, be good enough Saturday to stop also-unbeaten Findlay Liberty-Benton (14-0) in the state championship game at 3 p.m. at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium?

Consider this: Liberty-Benton has not given up a single point in its four playoff games this year, outscoring its opponents, 104-0.

The Eagles blanked Delphos Jefferson, 34-0; Archbold, 42-0; and Hamler Patrick Henry, 28-0, and Maria Stein Marion Local, 35-0, to give them 11 shutouts this year while outscoring opponents, 649-36.

“They have a very good defense and may even have a better offense,” said Ursuline coach Dan Reardon in assessing Liberty-Benton. “They are averaging a ton of points this season. We have our work cut out for us.”

Reardon said Liberty-Benton is led by an outstanding quarterback.

“They have a great quarterback in Aaron Craft. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be first-team all-state. He is their best player,” said Reardon.

But then there is the converse question?

Can Liberty-Benton handle Ursuline’s array of fast and talented backs, led by Jones, Teague, Darrell Mason, Dawalyn Harper, Nico Irizarry and Jeff Podolsky, plus all-purpose yardage and pass-catching leader Peterman?

Well, it appears that the Eagles’ defense also will be severely tested.

Because Reardon doesn’t plan to change what got Ursuline to the state final — running the ball.

“Allen Jones and Akise Teague had good games running the ball,” said Reardon. “That was Teague’s best game this year. He has earned more and more playing time over the past couple of games. He has real good quickness and balance.”

Jones finished with 158 yards rushing in 18 carries for an 8.8-yard average and one TD, a 43-yard run; while Teague wound up with 148 yards rushing in only seven carries for a 21.1-yard average, including a 34-yard TD run.

Also, Darrell Mason and Dawalyn Harper each tallied on 1-yard plunges and placekicker Kevin Patrick was a perfect 6-for-6 in extra-point attempts.

Reardon also lauded the defensive work by Peterman and Harper.

“Dale Peterman had a tremedous game defensively with two interceptions. and he also had a TD catch,” said Reardon, noting that Peterman and Harper also “were the leading tacklers.”

The Irish won the 2000 Div. IV state championship but lost in last year’s state Div. V championship game to Marion Local, 20-14, to finish 12-3.

That loss will be additional motivation for Ursuline: They don’t want the same thing to happen again.

kovach@vindy.com