This week’s Q&A Mooney’s P.J. Fecko

Coming off a big win over arch-rival Ursuline — which had won the last three meetings — P.J. Fecko’s Cardinal Mooney team is rounding into form as the playoffs approach. The Cardinals’ three losses came against teams with a combined 23-1 record heading into last week. The difficult schedule continues this week with a game against undefeated Austintown Fitch.

Q. Did the coaching staff talk to the players about having lost three in a row to Ursuline, or did the kids talk about it among themselves? Were they aware of the streak and did in play in their motivation?

A. No, we kind deal with week to week, of getting better. We don’t do anything with the past. We deal with the team in front of us. Whether we were state champ the year before or whatever, we have a new set of guys, a new set of dynamics all across the board for each team. I think our guys did a great job of preparing for the week and a great job of coming out and playing.

Q. Is it difficult to get the team back down from the high of beating an arch-rival, or does the fact you face Fitch this week make it easier?

A. It’s not difficult, we are a week-to-week team. Each week is a whole new set of challenges. We’ve always approached it that way over the years and this year is no different. Last week is behind us and it’s time to move on to the next team and get ready for them.

Q. Wins and losses aside, are you pleased with how your team has progressed throughout the season?

A. Absolutely. All along, each and every week, we’ve got better and better. The kids committed themselves to getting better and fortunately all that hard work has paid off and we’ve gotten better each and every week.

Q. Are there any pleasant surprises with this team?

A. It’s hard to pinpoint one thing and surprise is probably not a good word. We knew we had some capable people and the guys gelled well in the off-season. They created a positive chemistry and that continued on into the season.

Q. What about Fitch, your opponent this week?

A. Fitch is an outstanding football team and they’ve been solid all year long obviously. Not only through their record, you can see it in all phases of the game. They play with a tremendous amount of confidence. They execute well in all three phases of the game and that puts them in a situation with a 9-0 record.

Interview by Vindicator sports writer Doug Chapin. Email him at dchapin@vindy.com.