43
Ursuline pulls away, 48-14
The Fighting Irish overcome a slow start to beat Crestview
By JOHN BASSETTI
Vindicator sports staff
Gallery
AUSTINTOWN — When Allen Jones accounts for three touchdowns and Akise Teague two, why does Paul Kempe’s single TD run stand out?
With the score tied, 7-7, Kempe was ready to put the ball in Jones’ gut when the junior quarterback pulled back.
It turned into a 49-yard touchdown run that put Ursuline (8-3) ahead for good in its 48-14 Div. V, Region 17 semifinal victory over Crestview at Falcon Stadium.
“It was supposed to go to Allen, but I made a read and saw the backside end crashing down, so I pulled it [the ball], saw a hole and put my head down and ran as fast as I could.”
That quick burst reversed a slow start for the Irish, who now meet Cuyahoga Heights in the regional title game.
Although Crestview (10-2) had the Irish bogged down, Kempe was counting on his offensive line to break out.
“Because we had a great week of practice, they were opening up holes left and right and I thank them more than anything,” Kempe (6-foot, 172 pounds) said of center David Rossi, guards Joe Wess and Greg DeMario and tackles Pete Wearsch and Zach Conlan.
Jones’ touchdown runs covered 51, 50 and 17 yards, while Teague ripped off two TDs via a 60-yard punt return and a 21-yard run from scrimmage.
Sophomore linebacker Jesse Curry electrified the evening with a 99-yard fumble return of Adam Britton’s bobbled carry just one yard from Ursuline’s end zone.
Jesse Dew scored on a 17-yard run and Carter Hill’s 8-yard pass to Jacob Thompson accounted for Crestview’s scoring, along with Tristan Reynolds’ point-after kicks.
Ursuline coach Dan Reardon wasn’t buying the line that Crestview’s early seven points were an aberration.
“We were playing a very good football team that had 10 wins under its belt. We expected a fight and we got a fight from them,” he said. “Defensively they were doing some blitzes that we had to adjust to. Once we started doing that, we started moving the ball better. I’m pleased with the effort.”
Defensively, Ursuline put pressure on Hill who eventually threw two interceptions. However, Hill didn’t take a backseat as the 5-11, 188 junior completed 17 of 40 for 203 yards.
“He’s a very elusive athlete,” Reardon said. “We put a couple new blitzes in this week and got pressure. But, unfortunately, he was still completing a lot of balls and made plays with his feet, but our game plan was to contain him through pressure.”
Besides Ursuline’s down linemen, the Irish defensive backfield of Teague, Nico Irizarry, Jeff Podolsky, Aaron Edwards and Chris Collins played a big role in frustrating Hill.
Eventually, Ursuline’s team speed took its toll on the Rebels, who were playing their second game on an artificial surface.
Coach Paul Cusick noted that Crestview’s passing game progressed throughout the season, but not enough to contain the Irish for 48 minutes.
“Tonight, the speed was tough to overcome and that’s a factor. We know what we need to work on and, if you want to get to that level, you’ve got to compete at that level.”
Cusick said his players weren’t in awe of their opponent.
“We’ve had games where guys are in his [Hill’s] face. I think it was just the matter of the overall team speed and you don’t see that every day, so you’ve got to learn how to match that speed and, at least, have great technique so you don’t leave seams.”
Hill is one of several underclassmen, while the Rebels lose HB Adam Britton, LB Gary Cervone and offensive tackle Aaron Bussard.
Cusick summed up the season’s success: “It was something maybe some people outside the program didn’t expect, but we knew we had some good guys coming back. We got on a roll and our seniors are the first guys to win 10 games in back-to-back seasons.”
bassetti@vindy.com