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Mooney makes early statement in Division III
Gallery
The Cardinals were too tough for state power Columbus DeSales, powering their way to a 21-14 victory.
By JOE SCALZO
Vindicator sports staff
YOUNGSTOWN — Two of Division III’s best teams collided at Stambaugh Stadium on Friday night in the type of game that set offensive football back about four decades — and doubtlessly left Cardinal Mooney’s legendary coach Don Bucci grinning.
With Mooney’s front-seven playing fast, physical defense, the Cardinals shut down Columbus DeSales 21-14 in what could be the first of two meetings between the teams this fall.
When asked if he’d be OK with that scenario, Stallions coach Ryan Wiggins smiled and said, “Yeah, because I guess if we see them again it’s because we’re in the state final, which would be a great thing.”
Cardinals senior Mark Brandenstein had another terrific game at linebacker, spearheading a defense that stymied DeSales’ powerful option running attack. The Stallions managed 191 yards on the ground, but it took 41 carries, and for most of the night, DeSales’ backs would have found more running room in a crowded elevator.
The loss snapped DeSales’ 21-game regular-season win streak.
“We knew what they were doing, and we had a good scheme set up,” said Brandenstein, who also scored two TDs at fullback on 1-yard plunges. “[Defensive coordinator Ron] Stoops really put it to us, and we came in there and played hard-nosed ball.”
The Cardinals’ offense, meanwhile, ground out 330 yards on the ground, spreading the ball around to seven players. They even dusted off Bucci’s beloved stacked-I formation on a few plays, and completed just one pass all night.
Senior Braylon Heard, a West Virginia recruit, led all rushers with 176 yards on 16 carries, including a 90-yard TD run on Mooney’s second possession.
“All the guys get different touches and they all have great attributes,” said Mooney coach P.J. Fecko. “What it does is keep everyone fresh. Not just on offense, but also on defense.”
The Cardinals sent a message on the game’s first drive, going 80 yards in 15 plays while chewing up more than six minutes on the clock. DeSales managed just four plays on its first possession before punting, setting up Heard’s TD run.
DeSales finally answered midway through the second quarter when Warren Ball scampered for a 30-yard TD run. The drive was actually set up by a Mooney interception. Cardinal senior Donald D’Alesio snagged Mitch Herbert’s pass deep in Mooney territory, but fumbled it away on the return to give DeSales a second chance.
Mooney scored its final TD late in the third quarter, again on a Brandenstein run, before DeSales made things interesting midway through the fourth. On fourth-and-3 and the Cardinals’ 16, Herbert hit Gary Lewis on a slant for a TD that made it 21-14 with 4:57 left.
The Stallions opted to kick it away and the Cardinals drained all the drama out of the final minutes, gaining three first downs to run out the clock.
“These games are what high school football is all about,” said Fecko. “Going out there and competing at the highest level you possibly can.
“Obviously, if you’re fortunate enough to get a victory, it’s very rewarding.”
And after last week’s big win over Boardman, the Cardinals look like a team ready to play deep into the postseason.
“It feels great,” said Brandenstein, whose team beat Boardman last week. “Our goal since the beginning of the season was to be state champs.
“All our guys are real experienced and we’ve got everything under control this. We have a lot of trust in every single one of the guys.”
scalzo@vindy.com