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URSULINE LIVE: IRISH ARE STATE CHAMPIONS!
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The Ursuline Irish are state champions!
As it did all season, Ursuline's defense led the way, returning two interceptions for touchdowns in the fourth quarter to break open a close game. Dale Peterman, who had two interceptions in the game, and LaVance Turnage took picks to the house.
The Irish also scored on a 56-yard run by running back Allen Jones in the third quarter after the teams played to a scoreless tie at halftime.
The Fighting Irish of Ursuline scored the first points of the game on their opening drive of the third quarter. The Irish scored on a 59-yard run by junior running back Allen Jones.
Findlay Liberty-Benton stopped the Irish offense before halftime, but gave up the long score in four plays when the second half opened. The Eagles punted on their first possession of the second half.
Ursuline and Liberty-Benton have failed to capitalize on mistakes of their opponents.
In the first half, the Irish stopped the Eagles on a fake punt on fourth-and-5 at the Liberty-Benton , limiting Aaron Craft to 1 yard.
In the second quarter, Craft intercepted Paul Kempe’s underthrown pass at the Ursuline 45. The Eagles marched down to the 4 where on fourth-and-1, the Irish stuffed Craft’s sneak attempt, leaving him half a yard short.
In the final minutes of the half, both offenses took chances. Both quarterbacks — Craft and Dawalyn Harper — were intercepted. The half expired with no points for either side.
With one quarter in the books, the Ursuline Irish and Findlay Liberty Benton are engaged in a scoreless tie.
On their second possession, the Eagles attempted a fake punt on a fourth-and-5, but were stopped short. The Irish looked to capitalize on good field position, but a 39-yard field goal attempt by Kevin Patrick was short.
20 MINUTES TO KICKOFF
For Ursuline Irish fans at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, there’s good news and bad news 20 minutes before kickoff of Saturday’s Division V state title game.
Liberty-Benton, Ursuline’s opponent, won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to open the game.
On the plus side, the Irish fans are seated on the North Side grandstands, most of which are in the shade. The sun is shining brightly over Massillon and the Liberty-Benton fans are seated on the side with no roof. They’re wishing they had brought hats and sunglasses.