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Photo by: William D. Lewis

Ursuline quarterback Vito Penza will face off against Central Catholic QB Jake Boccuti in Saturday’s Division V regional final.

By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The Ursuline High football team survived a regular-season schedule that included seven playoff teams (including three still alive) and two playoff games (so far), so when Irish coach Larry Kempe says his team is healthy entering Week 13, it’s relative.

“Guys are sore, but you’re gonna be sore,” he said. “Everybody’s dressed. Everybody’s practicing. But it’s a long 12 weeks and that’s after June, July and August.”

As for Kempe?

“I’ve got a team of psychiatrists for minor emergencies,” he said.

The Irish (8-4) will need to be mentally and physically tough to survive the next round when they play top-ranked Canton Central Catholic (12-0) in the Division V regional final at Lake Blue Streak Stadium.

“I think once you get to Week 13, every team is pretty much equal,” Kempe said. “It’s gonna come down to who’s gonna handle the moment.”

The Irish are coming off a 23-7 win over Liberty, but Kempe didn’t show the film from that game during Monday’s team meeting, preferring to show the first half of Central’s 45-0 second-round win over Crestview.

“They’re No. 1 in the state for a reason,” Kempe said. “They do everything very well.”

Central scouting report

Central is playing in its first regional final since 2005, when the Crusaders lost to Cardinal Mooney 30-12.

Like Ursuline, Central’s offense revolves around its quarterback, Jake Boccuti (6-2, 210). After missing the final four games of the 2013 season with a life-threatening blood clot in his arm, Boccuti returned this fall and has been a big reason for the Crusaders’ best season since their 2000 state title team. Boccuti has completed 89 of 140 passes for 1,424 yards, 15 TDs and three interceptions. He’s also the team’s leading rusher with 137 carries for 752 yards and 12 TDs.

“He’s got good size and can throw the ball anywhere on the field,” said Central coach Jeff Lindesmith, who replaced the legendary Lowell Klinefelter in the offseason after serving as his assistant for 28 years. “He leads our offense.”

Boccuti’s main targets are two slot receivers with sprinter speed, Jimmy Russell (35 catches, 563 yards, 5 TDs) and John Colangelo (31 catches, 516 yards, 6 TDs). Running back Justin Ditty has added 700 yards on 132 carries, while Russell (46 rushes, 562 yards, 3 TDs) and Colangelo (32 rushes, 259 yards) also get plenty of carries. Central is averaging 35 points per game.

Central’s defense is holding opponents to eight points per game and hasn’t given up a point in either playoff game, beating Beachwood and Crestview by a combined score of 86-0. The two main headaches are linebackers Carter Blakeney (a 6-4, 215-pound senior headed to the Ivy League) and Luke Stuffel (a 6-4, 200-pound junior).

“The backbone of our team is defense,” Lindesmith said.

Central also has a terrific kicker/punter in Nick Boron, who is 48 of 50 on PATs, 6 of 8 on field goals) and averages 34.4 per punt.

Like Ursuline, Central plays a demanding schedule that included wins over three Federal League teams (Perry, Hoover and Lake). And, like Ursuline, the Crusaders don’t play in a league, which means they’re used to seeing a variety of styles.

“Neither program has ever backed down from playing anybody,” Lindesmith said. “We always say that if we get into the playoffs, we’re gonna be prepared.”

Ursuline scouting report

Ursuline is in the regional final for the sixth time in eight seasons. Two years ago, the Irish blew a 24-0 halftime lead in a 38-37 loss to Kirtland in their only other regional final under Kempe, who replaced Dan Reardon following the 2011 season.

Senior quarterback Vito Penza (6-3, 225) keys the Irish offense, completing 50 of 129 passes for 632 yards, five TDs and 11 interceptions. His main target is Dakota Hobbs (16 catches, 316 yards, four TDs).

Penza has also carried 155 times for 920 yards and 12 TDs, joining with RB Kimauni Johnson (192 carries, 1,012 yards, nine TDs) to form a physical running tandem.

Ursuline’s strength is up front, particularly its defensive line, which is capable of taking over a game.

“To me, it’s a typical Ursuline team,” Lindesmith said. “They’re very talented, very well-coached. Their quarterback is enormous from what I’ve seen.

“They’ve always put pressure on a secondary, they’ve got great skill in their own secondary, they’re fast at linebacker and they’re fast on the defensive front. They’re just put together well.”