KIRTLAND Vs. URSULINE

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Blitz highlight reel

Photo by: Mark Stahl

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Ursuline's Akise Teague runs the ball against Kirtland during the first half of their game in Auora on Saturday night.

KIRTLAND Vs. URSULINE

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Blitz highlight reel

Ursuline vs Kirtland

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Ursuline vs Kirtland

Ursuline football reaches Division V state semifinals for fourth consecutive year

By John Bassetti

bassetti@vindy.com

AURORA

With the Division V, Region 17 championship trophy tucked between his arm and ribs as if he were carrying a football on a long run, Akise Teague spoke about Ursuline’s 48-0 win over Kirtland and what’s beyond.

“Our game plan was to get up on them big because we didn’t want it to be another 18-17 game that I remember from two years ago,” the speedy two-way player said of a near-loss in the Region 17 title game in 2008.

“We didn’t want to get in that predicament again, so we started off strong.”

The Irish (13-0) took a 6-0 lead just 14 seconds into Saturday night’s game when quarterback Paul Kempe rambled 80 yards for a touchdown.

“You can’t start any better than having an 80-yard touchdown run,” said Teague, who carried 17 times for 199 yards. The running back now has 1,955 yards on 181 carries is being pursued by Ohio State, among others.

“They’re talking to me right now,” the 5-foot-8, 174-pound senior said of offers. “I’m getting a lot of talks from them. Hopefully, they’ll offer me [a scholarship].”

He was asked if something should happen soon.

“It’s iffy. It depends. The last time I talked to them, they said they’d get in touch with me. Then they got in touch with me and told me to make another highlight film of physical plays. Then I got it to them and they said they’d get back to me.”

He said he sent the film last Wednesday.

“If they see good things, they’ll get in touch with me,” said Teague.

Teague is trying not to let the recruiting process become a distraction.

“I’m trying to win a state championship first,” said the elusive athlete who wears jersey No. 26 as he slips off tacklers, spins around them or faintly feels their fingertips as he outruns them.

Teague, who also plays defensive back, said he can’t wait to play in another state semifinal.

“We’re approaching it as if we were never there before — like it’s our first one,” he said.

Of his 80-yard TD, Kempe said it was the product of his backfield surroundings.

“Since teams put so much focus on our running backs, I know Coach [Dan Reardon] gives me the options. If I see a lane, I’ll take it. That’s what happened. Eighty yards later I couldn’t complain about that. I saw so much open field that I thought, ‘If I don’t score on this play I’m going to hear it for the rest of the year.’”

His offensive line of center Pete Wearsch, guards Mike Zappa and Troy Vasquez-Atkins, and tackles Ty Vasquez-Atkins, Zach Conlan and Ronald Green and end Jordan Markota is firing on all cylinders.

“We have the best line in the state,” said Kempe. “I don’t want another line. They’re great.”’

Of going back to another Week 14, Kempe said: “You have one more week, guaranteed, and we’re going to do whatever we can within our power so we’ve got two more weeks. Practicing on Thanksgiving for a fourth year in a row is fine with me.”

Ursuline has outscored its last two opponents, 90-0.

That says something for both units.

“With my dad [Larry Kempe] being defensive coordinator and all my buddies playing defense, they’re amazing,” said Kempe. “They hit hard and they do what they’re asked to do. You can’t ask for anything more.”

Snagging interceptions against Kirtland were Jeff Podolsky and Rondel Armour.

Of Ursuline’s fourth straight state semifinal appearance, Reardon said: “To be a senior class with a bare minimum of making it to the semifinals every single year is a pretty impressive statement.”