By Joe Scalzo

It was the first-ever poll championship for the unbeaten Irish.

YOUNGSTOWN — When Ursuline High football coach Dan Reardon was an assistant at Warren Harding under Thom McDaniels from 1998-2003, the Raiders twice won Associated Press poll titles — in 2002 and 2003.

In 2002, they lost to Cincinnati Elder in the Div. I state final. In 2003, they lost in the second round to Lakewood St. Edward.

“Both those years we had a great regular season, but I learned having a great regular season doesn’t guarantee a state title,” said Reardon, whose Irish won their first AP poll title in school history on Monday. “But one thing Thom always said was, If they’re going to give it out, you might as well win it.”

The Irish (10-0) finished unbeaten and untied in the regular season for the first time since 1956. They garnered 21 of 28 first place votes to edge Hamler Patrick Henry 267-247.

“We are proud of it,” said Reardon, who led the Irish to the Div. V state final last fall. “But let’s just say I’m happy we have a playoff system.

“Obviously, our main goal is to win it on the field.”

Ursuline, which plays host to Cuyahoga Heights on Saturday, won a state title in 2000 after going 9-1 in the regular season. This is its third playoff appearance under Reardon.

Only two other area teams finished in the top 10 in this year’s poll. Cardinal Mooney (8-2), who won Div. IV poll titles each of the last two years, finished seventh and McDonald (10-0) was seventh in Div. VI.

Coldwater, which beat the Cardinals in last year’s state final, placed first in Div. IV for the third time in five years.

In Div. III, Poland (8-2) finished 11th and Liberty was 12th. Thornville Sheridan (10-0) finished first for the second straight year.

In Div. V, Crestview (9-1) was 12th. Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (10-0), which hosts Leetonia on Friday, finished first in Div. VI for the second straight season.

Cleveland Glenville (10-0) won the crown in Div. I and Columbus DeSales was first in Div. II. It was the first poll title for both teams.

This is the 61st year for the AP media poll. Through the 2007 playoffs, 48 of the 164 AP poll champions have gone on to also win the state playoff title.

XThe Associated Press contributed to this report.