2013: A very good year for high school football in Valley

The state champions have been crowned. Fifteen grueling weeks of high school gridiron action have gone into the record books. And the thrill of Friday night lights at football stadiums throughout the Mahoning Valley is gone for another eight months.

When looking back on the exciting 2013 season, one adjective towers above all others in describing the collective results of some four dozen rugged Valley teams through 15 weeks of intense play. That adjective is pride.

We are proud of the prowess of the many superlative squads, most notably the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals who rushed, passed, intercepted, received and ran wildly through thousands of yards to land just seven points shy of its ninth state championship in its loss to Clinton-Massie on Friday in Massillon.

We are proud of the cohesive and enthusiastic spirit that united players, coaches, students, faculty, staff, parents and community members behind their schools and hometowns. The cheers of spirited fans of this season’s healthy crop of teams translate into community honor and bragging rights that stretch far beyond the confines of the high school football field.

HONOR ROLL OF 16 TEAMS

And we are proud of the hundreds of young men on this season’s teams that solidly reinforced the reputation of the Mahoning Valley as a powerhouse in high school football. Their sacrifices, their can-do attitudes, their camaraderie and their commitment to excellence provide stellar role models for all of their peers. Those assets also coalesced to create an impressive roster of 16 teams that advanced into post-season play. Here then is our 2013 honor roll of the Valley’s championship-caliber squads:

The Youngstown Ursuline Irish whose 4-6 record understated its talent because of a schedule against some of the most accomplished and fierce squads in Ohio and the nation.

The Liberty Leopards who rebounded from a winless 2011 season to become shining stars of the All-American Conference this season.

The Lakeview Bulldogs who scored an impressive 290 points in the AAC.

The Brookfield Warriors who defeated some of the traditionally superpower squads in the Valley such as Warren JFK and Youngstown Christian.

The Southington Wildcats whose 5-6 record disguised its prowess as a team to be reckoned with in the Northeastern Athletic Conference.

The Lowellville Rockets who jettisoned to stellar heights in the Inter-Tri-County League before losing to Danville in first-round playoffs.

The McDonald Blue Devils who maintained their standing as a perennial force in the Inter Tri-County League.

The Poland Bulldogs who advanced to second-round playoffs where they were defeated by 2013 state champions St. Vincent St. Mary.

The Struthers Wildcats who roared all the way to second-round playoffs only to be defeated by state championship runner-up Mooney.

The South Range Raiders who blitzed undefeated through 11 opponents while amassing an amazing 511 points before their second-round playoff loss to Mogadore.

The Wellsville Tigers who rebounded wildly from a 3-6 season in 2012 to a 9-3 season and second-round playoff game this year.

The Crestview Rebels who repelled 11 of 12 opponents before falling to Akron Manchester in Week 3 of the playoff season.

The Hubbard Eagles who flew undefeated through 12 weeks of play until their elimination by perennial state champ St. Vincent St. Mary.

The Austintown Fitch Falcons, led by Associated Press Coach of the Year Phil Annarella, who barreled through 12 weeks of play including a win over Mooney until being knocked out by Lakewood St. Edward’s.

The Western Reserve Blue Devils who did their Inter-Tri-County League proud by soaring all the way to state semi-final play.

The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals who continued the legacy of excellence and fine sportsmanship for the Youngstown diocesan high school, as state runners-up in Division IV.

Congratulations to all of the winning teams. Details of each can be found on vindy.com/blitz. Also, don’t miss this month’s unveiling of The Vindicator’s Fall Athletes of the Year. For now, though, let’s let our honored teams bask in the glory of their well earned honors for themselves, their schools, their communities and the entire Mahoning Valley.