Mooney mentor praises rivalry

For the 10th time, P.J. Fecko will coach against Ursuline’s football team.

By Greg Gulas

BOARDMAN — For the third time in four years, the Cardinal Mooney High football team under Coach P.J. Fecko has started a season 8-0.

If they expect to make it nine wins in a row on Friday, then they better be at the top of their game against rival Ursuline.

Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon meeting at the Blue Wolf Banquet Center, Fecko noted the success both teams have enjoyed over the past several seasons will surely add to the debate as to who will or should win the game.

The records — the Fighting Irish are 5-2 overall with four straight wins — will mean absolutely nothing.

“This is a very special week, not only for the Cardinal Mooney camp but to those in the Ursuline camp as well,” Fecko said.

“It’s a fun week with plenty of excitement at both schools for not only is student body interest at its peak, but the week also creates alumni interest as well.”

The Cardinals, despite facing a 9-0 first quarter deficit, reeled off 34 straight points and are coming off a 34-9 victory last weekend at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. Ursuline, behind Allen Jones’ 211 yards rushing and three touchdowns, defeated Akron Buchtel, 35-0.

“Ursuline is playing good football right now,” Fecko said. “They played some excellent competition in Pittsburgh Central Catholic and Mentor Lake Catholic and they do a great job defensively.

“Offensively, they can move the football while defensively they make opponents work for every yard they get.

“With so many weapons, they give you a lot that you have to deal with when preparing for them as a staff,” Fecko said.

The fact that Cardinal Mooney is Division III and Ursuline is Div. V will have no bearing on the outcome.

“We’re fortunate to be where we are at this point in the season,” Fecko said. “The key is that we are playing pretty good team football.

“Offensively, we have four different backs who don’t care much about individual statistics, running the ball for us.

“Braylon Heard, who has already committed to West Virginia University; Ray Vinopal; Carrington Griffin, and Charlie Brown complement a front that has been stellar thus far.

“Our defensive front eight has been excellent while our special teams have been a concern for opponents,” Fecko said.

While the Ursuline-Cardinal Mooney rivalry ranks as one of the best in the Valley, Fecko hopes that down the road area fans might be able to witness more local match-ups.

“Our area has always been a great football area. Year after year just look at our representation in the playoffs; in the finals and then the players that go on to play at the next level.

“It was a very exciting atmosphere when we opened the season at Boardman and because of that excitement, yes, I’d very much like to see more local match-ups,” he said.

Next week, YSU men’s basketball coach Jerry Slocum will be the guest speaker.

Fecko, who is in his 10th season as head coach of Cardinal Mooney and his 16th overall with the Cardinals, has guided his team to six straight playoff appearances; two state titles and two runner-up spots during that span and a 19-3 overall playoff record.

They are 69-12 since the 2003 campaign.