Photo

P.J. Fecko

Photo by: Robert K. Yosay

Photo

Ursuline High senior Mike Zappa (57) comes into help on a play during the Irish’s victory over Cardinal Mooney this season. Zappa has been a backup player for Ursuline until this season, and is one of the team’s mainstays on the off ensive and defensive lines.

By John Bassetti

bassetti@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A close finish in a playoff game doesn’t help a coach’s hair color, but it will be a highlight for TV.

In P.J. Fecko’s case, Cardinal Mooney’s 27-20 win over Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s on Saturday will also help the Cardinals down the road, starting with its next opponent: Akron Buchtel.

Carmen Leonelli’s 71-yard interception return for a touchdown against SVSM made for an electrifying finish for the Cardinals (7-4), who managed to stay alive for another week.

“Anytime you’re in a tight game where the momentum is swinging back and forth and you’re able to answer each time and pull out a victory is a plus,” Fecko said.

“The experience of playing in that type of game and playing with a sense of urgency sure can’t hurt,” the coach of the defending Division IV state champion said. “Having that momentum swing back your way is important.”

Although Mooney lost to Cincinnati Moeller, Ursuline, Lakewood St. Edward and Columbus DeSales, the Cards’ schedule has helped it survive to this point.

“With the schedule we played the first 10 weeks is a huge benefit to us,” Fecko said. “Teams we played are top-caliber people who made us better.”

Fecko-coached Mooney teams have no history against Buchtel, but he does have a general idea of what he’s up against.

“I know they’re a team that’s been playing well as of late. They’ve beaten some good opponents and had close losses. To be at this point, obviously, they’ve played some good football.”

Butchel’s first playoff win was over Poland, 20-18.

Except for Pat McGlone, who was lost for the season due to a neck injury in the Ursuline game, Mooney should be back to full strength this week, including running back Roosevelt Griffin, who had a surgical procedure on a finger, an injury suffered in Mooney’s 28-0 win over Field two weeks ago.

“It looks like he’ll be back on Saturday,” Fecko said of Griffin.