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Curbstoners honor Ursuline football team
By Greg Gulas
Vindicator Correspondent
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Ursuline High School Coach Dan Reardon gets doused by player Allen Jones during final moments of State championship win 112/29/08 in Massilon. William D. Lewis / The Vindicator
Ursuline vs Coldwater
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Ursuline Vs. Coldwater
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Ursuline and Mooney Celebration
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BOARDMAN — As the first school in the Valley to record back-to-back state football championships, it shouldn’t be too hard to guess Ursuline High’s theme for the 2010 season.
Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon meeting at the Blue Wolf Banquet Center, coach Dan Reardon noted that the team called for a repeat after their first title in 2008 and their goal for 2010 is to “three-peat.”
“I cannot tell you how proud I am to be associated with the first football team from the Mahoning Valley to win consecutive state football championships,” said Reardon.
“After winning the 2008 crown, the returning seniors and team members immediately said [repeat] so that was our goal this past season.
“We started 1-2 and at that point, no one was thinking title. All we wanted to do was right our ship with the hopes of making a return trip to the playoffs and then hoping to make some noise.
“The key to our turnaround came after the third week when we made some position moves defensively; some non-traditional moves that really worked out for us,” Reardon said.
The Fighting Irish are 38-6 over the past three seasons and Reardon, who just completed his sixth season as coach, is 53-23 overall with four playoff appearances.
Reardon said continuity of staff and senior leadership has also been a key during their championship runs.
“Senior leadership is always big because they want to leave their mark before they graduate. They help you guard against complacency.
“We graduated 14 great seniors and they will be hard to replace. With 12 seniors returning, however, they will now have a chance to show their leadership abilities and we, as a staff, will count upon them quite a bit throughout the season.”
Of the 12 seniors expected to return next season, three were all-state selections in 2009 while quarterback Paul Kempe is a three-year starter.
The three all-state selections are lineman Zach Conlan, wide receiver Akise Teague and safety Jeff Podolsky.
“Every year since my arrival our goal has been to win the state title. That’s something I am not ashamed to say, realizing that I am very fortunate to be coaching at a place where it is a very realistic and attainable goal,” Reardon said.
Two members of last year’s title team, running back Allen Jones (Youngstown State) and linebacker Dawalyn Harper (Toledo) will sign Division I scholarships.
At least half a dozen others are expected to play at various levels next season.
“We expect both Allen and Dawalyn to be very successful at the next level,” said Reardon. “Allen is our career rushing and scoring leader and one of a bevy of talented backs to have played at Ursuline.
“Dawalyn was moved from linebacker to the defensive line after the third week so you can see how unselfish and team-oriented he is.
“Both players are coachable, hard-workers who have the talent to be impact players at their respective universities,” Reardon added.
The biggest announcement on Monday, though, came off the field. Reardon and his wife Amanda, who works in the YSU Development Office, are expecting their third child this August.
Next week, Len Perry, a sports health and occupational safety officer and faculty member in the YSU Bitonte College of Health & Human Services will serve as guest speaker.