CANFIELD OH- Last season, both of these two powerhouse local programs met for the first time with Ursuline walking away with the final of 38 to 31 in a close matchup.  With two of the best coaches in Dan Reardon and Ken Harris Many thought we’d see the same outcome, but little did they know, what was thought to have turned into a shootout on both sides quickly turned into one sided domination in the Regional Finals.  

Remember, the Irish were so close last season, but a loss to Mentor Lake Catholic halted their plans to make it to the State Semis in 2020.  Part of that was the contact tracing incident before that same Friday of last season.  This time however, everyone was healthy and ready to go.   

For the Warriors meanwhile, they came in as the first seed and looked to be the second undefeated state title team since the talented Warriors football program from the 1994 season. 

West Branch started the game off with a bang when quarterback and cornerback Dru DeShields picked off Brady Shannon going to the Irish 19 yard line.  Three plays later and DeShields finds Nick Wilson in the endzone from 11-yards out making it 7 to 0 Warriors.  

The hot Ursuline offense that everyone has seen all year along came back on the first drive however when on a play action, Shannon found the Harvard Commit Dean Boyd in the endzone 46-yards out tying it all at seven. 

Wilson and DeShields kept their show rolling, showing chemistry like McNabb and T.O. In the early 2000s with both connecting on a two-yard touchdown making it 14-7. 

However after that West Branch score, everything after that became the Ursuline show.  First was an end around sweep by Jakylan Irving who went 37-yards to pader.  After that it became the DMAC, DeMarcus McElroy show with three touchdowns.  One breaking free from the open hole going 42-yards and the other ones being nine and a yard out. 

Ursuline continued to run up the score with Shannon getting a three-yard touchdown making it 42-21.  DeShields found Wilson in the endzone again for the touchdown but it was not enough to catch the Irish as a Christian Lynch score put the game on Ice in the fourth quarter with the final score being 64 to 35. 

Stats 

DeMarcus McElroy 27-243, three touchdowns in a row

Brady Shannon: nine of 15 for 102 yards one touchdown and two interceptions. 

Jakylyn Irving  two carries for 45 yards, two receptions for 12 yards. Rushing TD. 

Christian Lynch three carries for 44 yards and a touchdown. 

Dean Boyd: two receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.  

Steven Marra 13 carries for 72 yards

 Dru DeShields 26-35 322 yards four touchdowns and three interceptions.  Rushed 11 times for 30 yards. 

Nick Wilson, seven receptions for 116 yards. 

Up Next

Third seed Ursuline (10-3) are Regional Final Champions and will play fourth seed Port Clinton (13-1) from region 14 in the State Semis who are coming off of a big 49-21 win against the Van West Cougars who finish their season with a record of 12 and two. 

West Branch finishes their season with a 13 and one record, nearly having that undefeated season like the 1994 state champion team, but will have to wait for 2022 to try and accomplish that milestone again. 

*contributed by YSN’s Ian O’Brien*