Photo

Photo by: Robert K. Yosay

Cardinal Mooney’s Ryan Farragher has the ball knocked away by Springfield Shawnee’s Drew Young during the Division III state championship game Friday at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium. The Cardinals held on for a 21-14 victory.

By Matthew Peaslee

mpeaslee@vindy.com

After a Gatorade shower, lines of high-fives and hugs, a trophy presentation and rounds of interviews, P.J. Fecko was still on a roll.

He had just guided his team to a state championship, yet the 12th-year Mooney coach was still willing to offer advice to other coaches on how their teams can reach that point.

“People’s schedule for the regular season is the most underrated thing,” he said. “The most quality people you can play, you’re better off. You’re cheating yourself if you’re not.”

The 2011 Cardinals’ regular schedule touted programs that went 62-39, six were eventual playoff teams. Two (D-I Lakewood St. Edward and D-V Ursuline) were reigning state champs. They also roared back at the mysterious, yet well-oiled Red Lion Christian Academy from Delaware.

Drew Pasteur’s Fantastic50.net registered the rigorous schedule as the toughest in Division III.

One reporter covering the state title game against Springfield Shawnee simply described it as “insane.”

“Anybody can play with a great opponent once every 10 games, maybe three times a year,” Fecko said. “But week in and week out, it takes a special mentality and you can only get it by playing [the best teams]. If you want to beat the best, you have to play the best and beat the best.”

With the champion Cardinals (11-3) headlining a banner season, 12 other Valley teams found their way into the postseason. Boardman (7-4), Brookfield (9-2), Columbiana (8-3), Crestview (11-2), Girard (11-2), Howland (9-1), LaBrae (6-5), Poland (7-4), Springfield (8-3), Western Reserve (13-1), Wellsville (5-6) and Youngstown Christian (10-2) all advanced to the second season.

It was only Crestview, Girard, Mooney, Western Reserve and Youngstown Christian that got past the opening round.

Western Reserve captured its first regional championship, making it to the Division VI semi-final, falling to New Washington Buckeye Central, 22-21.

“When you’re good, you win big and you lose close,” said WR coach Andy Hake. “With the experience we gained, we’re not going anywhere. We’ll be back. We belong to be playing here.”

The Blue Devils were led by seniors, quarterback Jeff Clegg, running back Donnie Bolton, wide receiver Thomas Benyo and fullback Tommy Marlowe.

“It’s the most resilient crew I’ve ever been around,” the always-excitable Hake said.

The Blue Devils, as well as Howland, had their first and only loss come in the playoffs.

Another D-VI program, Youngstown Christian, made school history, too. The Eagles earned their first ever run into the postseason, but fell to Shadyside in the second-round.

“These kids are special,” YCS coach Brian Marrow said of his team. “I’m so proud of these guys because they’ve made our job as coaches easier.”

Crestview’s regional final opponent, Kirtland, completed a 15-0 season by knocking off Coldwater in the Division V state championship. The Rebels fell to the Hornets, 35-7 and they also topped Columbiana in the first round, 49-8.

Boardman’s first round foe, Cleveland St. Ignatius, defeated the Spartans 29-14 and went on to capture the Division I crown.

Girard tried to take its high-octane offense all the way in Division IV, but Creston Norwayne squelched them out in the regional final, 33-32. The Indians still averaged 43.6 points per game and boasted one of the most polished QBs in the area with Dan Graziano.

It’s now time to focus on basketball season, and before we know it, warmer weather will arise and with it comes a full slate of spring sports.

Just Mooney ended its season with a win, though, but it’s safe to bet the other playoff teams and nearly 40 others from the tri-county region are already geared up to get back on the gridiron. They’ll vie for wins and a taste of the champion lifestyle.

The Cards know the feeling — still, the buzz on Erie Street won’t fade until a ninth championship trophy comes home.