Photo by: William D. Lewis

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Cardinal Mooney’s senior CB/RB Carmen Leonelli (13) will need every ounce of his speed on Saturday when his Cardinals take on the ultra-athletic Buchtel Griffins in a Division III regional final at Ravenna Stadium.

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Cardinal Mooney

Record	Div.	Conf.
4/6	Div. IV	Independents

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By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

They’ve combined for nine state titles, 37 playoff appearances and 78 playoff wins.

They’re 55 miles apart and their annual schedules are filled with common opponents.

They’re two of the most respected programs in Ohio.

And, somehow, Cardinal Mooney and Akron Buchtel will play each other in football for the first time Saturday night.

“It is unique, with them being down the road over the years and us never crossing paths,” said Cardinals coach P.J. Fecko, who said he’s seen plenty of film of the Griffins over his 11 years while scouting common opponents. “Going back even as a youngster, being a fan of seeing them in the 80s and the success that they’ve had and tradition they’ve had and now finding it again here.

“I’m sure Saturday will be an exciting one.”

On paper, it’s a matchup of speed against power. Buchtel boasts one of the most athletic teams in the state, while the Cardinals, as always, are a physical, run-first team.

Although dynamic QB Steve Parker is iffy with a broken left (non-throwing) hand, the Griffins have a capable backup in Tyler Jones, who began the year as the starting QB and led Buchtel to a 32-21 win over Parma Padua in last week’s regional semifinal.

Junior wideout Corey Smith, another speedster, is one of many weapons in the Griffins’ spread attack, which has scored 30 or more points in seven of its last nine games. First team all-district linebacker Marlon Oden leads a solid defense.

Buchtel’s biggest weakness is its special teams. The Griffins can’t make field goals and often forgo extra points, too.

Fecko said the team’s keys are controlling the tempo of the game through long offensive drives and avoiding big plays on defense and special teams.

Oh, and health will play a factor, too. Both teams enter the game banged up.

“They have great speed and they have good make-up speed, so if guys are in the wrong place at the wrong time, they can make it up with that speed,” Mooney senior Carmen Leonelli said. “Defensively, you have to wrap up, be in the right spot, make plays and be physical. And offensively, you have to block and run hard and do everything you’re taught to do.”