Mooney captures AP title in Div. 3

YOUNGSTOWN — The Cardinal Mooney High football team captured another Associated Press poll title, only this time it’s in Division III.

Mooney (10-0) won its third AP crown in four years — and sixth overall — after sweeping through one of the state’s most difficult schedules.

It earned 28 of a possible 29 first-place votes, with No. 2 Steubenville (9-1) earning the other.

The Cardinals defeated four ranked teams during the regular season: Mentor Lake Catholic (No. 4 in Div. II), Columbus DeSales (No. 5 in Div. III) and Ursuline (No. 14 in Div. V). Six of their nine Ohio opponents made the playoffs.

“It’s definitely an honor to be recognized throughout the state,” said Cardinals coach P.J. Fecko. “To go through 10 games and to finish undefeated with our schedule is really a tribute to our players and the hard work and dedication and focus they put in throughout the year.”

Mooney also finished undefeated in the regular season in 2006 and 2007 en route to Division IV AP poll crowns.

Mooney’s other poll titles came in 1981 (AA), 1987 (III) and 1999 (IV).

Only four area teams have ever won poll titles and state titles in the same year: Ursuline last year, Mooney in 1987 and 2006 and Poland in 1999.

Area teams have won 18 poll titles, including 12 since the OHSAA began playoff competition in 1972.

Overall, 49 of the 170 poll champions have gone on to win titles.

Also in Division III, Poland (8-2) finished sixth and Hubbard (9-1) 12th.

The Bulldogs defeated the Eagles in Week One.

In Division IV, Girard (10-0) finished fifth, earning two first-place votes.

The Indians, who won the All-American Conference White Tier, went undefeated for the first time in school history.

Crestview (9-1) finished seventh in Division V and earned one first-place vote. The Rebels won Tier One of the Inter Tri-County League.

No. 14 Ursuline (6-3), which won last year’s state and poll titles, has played in two straight state finals.

McDonald (10-0), which finished off its second straight unbeaten season on Friday, is ranked fifth in Division V.

The Blue Devils, winners of the ITCL’s Tier Two title, earned two first-place votes.

Howland (9-1), which shared the Red Tier crown in the AAC, finished 10th in Division II and Canfield (9-1) is 13th.

The Tigers defeated the Cardinals earlier this season.

No area teams were ranked in Division I.

Other area teams that have won poll titles are: Niles (1961, AAA and 1963, AAA), Warren Harding (1971, AAA and 2002-03, both in Div. I), Warren Western Reserve (1973, AAA), McDonald (1974, A), Chaney (2000, Div. II), Campbell (1990, Div. IV) and South Range (2006, Div. V).