Photo by: Robert K. Yosay

The Vindicator (Youngstown)

Photo

READY FOR THE SACK - State honored Jordan Markota and Keil'n Thurston play together and practice together as Ursuline makes its run for a state championship title.

KIRTLAND Vs. URSULINE

Video

Blitz highlight reel

Led by pass rushers Jordan Markota and Keil’n Thruston, the Irish D is hungry

By Jon Moffett

jmoffett@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Something very dangerous happens several times a game when Jordan Markota is on the field.

The Ursuline High senior feels tightness in his body, his heart starts to race and he starts to shake. And it’s a dangerous thing when the defensive end feels that way.

For the opposing quarterback, that is.

If Markota is feeling like that, it’s because he just laid a good hit on his opponent. And the chances are they’re feeling it too.

“You feel it all throughout your body,” Markota said. “Your heart starts going, you get all excited and jittery and you go to your teammates and celebrate.”

Markota and classmate Keil’n Thurston are the starting outside linebackers for the Irish. But were named to the all-NEO Indland district team, and together they are credited with 21 sacks, coach Dan Reardon said. They are two of the emotional leaders who have helped propel the team to an undefeated season and the school’s fourth-consecutive regional title.

While a lot is made of the vaunted Irish offense, the defense has held teams to just 126 points all year, including the playoffs — that averages out to 9.7 points per game.

But those figures can be misleading. Several of those games were all but over at halftime and younger players stepped in during the waning minutes.

Thurston, who was voted as the Division V NEO defensive player of the year, said there is nothing like an impact play on defense to pump up a team.

“It gives our team a lot of momentum,” he said. “And I just like to hear the crowd go ‘Ooh!’ It gets me excited and ready for the next play.”

Thurston and Markota are the enforcers of the team. If a big play is needed, they’re the first ones to step up and make it, Reardon said.

“They’re both hard workers and they had really good offseasons in the weight room,” he said. “They’ve led by example, first of all. Secondly, they both are emotional guys and play with a lot of passion and energy.

“They’re the type of guys that you know if you need a play, you’re just waiting for one of them to step up and make it.”

Markota and Thurston share on a bond on the field.

They consider it a race to get to the quarterback and push each other to play harder and faster. When one of them makes a play, they share a few celebratory dance moves.

“We kind of just meet the quarterback and we have this two slap, salute kind of a thing going on after one of us makes a big play,” Thurston said.

“We just want to dominate everyone,” Markota added.

Reardon said the defense has been just as important this year as it has the past two, when the Irish won back-to-back state titles. He hopes for the same result in two weeks.

“When you have seniors who have their career-best effort in their senior year, you have a chance to be good,” he said. “I think all 10 guys in our senior class are having very, very good seasons. And that’s why we’re having the level of success that we’re having.”

Reardon said the roster is full of talent, which makes his job easier. Also making his gig a little easier is having a pair of generals to help guide the troops on the battlefield.

So when he’s blue in the face, he can take a breather and let his senior rushers do the talking.

“We always talk to the seniors about being an extension of the coaching staff,” Reardon said. “And whether they’re a leader on the field, coaching a younger guy up or leading by example in the weight room, we ask our seniors to do that. And we have a lot of guys doing that.”