Thursday, November 25, 2010
GAME TIME
Matchup: Ursuline (13-0) vs. Lima Central Catholic (12-1).
When: Saturday; kickoff at
7 p.m.
Where: Ashland Community Stadium.
By Jon Moffett
Youngstown
Ursuline High is the one Mahoning Valley football team still alive in the state playoffs.
It’s won two state championships in as many years.
If the Irish (13-0) were to win their third this year, the achievement would be the first of its kind in the Valley.
As one of the final four teams in Division V, the Irish are planning to play beyond this week, and into Dec. 4 in the title game.
Head coach Dan Reardon spent five minutes talking about the preparation for Saturday’s state semifinal game against Lima Central Catholic.
“Our mindset doesn’t change from week to week,” he said during practice this week. “We try to get better every week and try to put a better product on the field than we did the week before.
“This week is no different. There are still mistakes we have to clean up and there are still areas that we can play better,” Reardon said. “And that’s the attitude we’re going to take. We have to continue to improve and then we’ll be happy with the results.”
Reardon said he and his coaching staff approach the games the same way they do in the regular season. The only big difference, he said, is where that preparation is taking place.
The seniors, Reardon said, are given some time off from the practice field. They’re in the weight room and film room instead.
“During the regular season, the older guys get a lot more of the work,” Reardon said. “I know that may sound backward. Today, we have our JV and freshmen scrimmaging and our varsity team is in lifting weights.
“During the playoffs, we shorten practices up for the older guys to try and keep their legs fresh,” he said. “It’s more mental than anything at this point. The younger guys are getting more of the physical reps.”
The recipe is working. The Irish have won four straight regional titles. They’ve been in the past three state championship games, winning two of them.
Reardon is in his seventh year at the helm of the Irish. He’s taken his team to the playoffs in five of those seasons.
Four regional titles.
Three state titles?
“I’ve been talking about the three-peat and being perfect all year,” senior linebacker Jordan Markota said. “I didn’t want a loss on my senior schedule. We have to go down as the best class at Ursuline High School, and one of the best classes in Ohio.”
Well, until next year’s class anyway.
Those players, who are juniors now, have their sights set on winning four in a row. Reardon said the team has already begun to groom next year’s players for another run.
“That’s an ongoing process throughout the season. That’s why you have [junior varsity] and freshmen football games, to get them game-time experience,” he said. “And we’ve been fortunate because there have been a handful of varsity games where the JVs and freshmen have seen significant action.”
Video
Gallery