CARDINALS SOAR PAST THE BEARS
* CONTRIBUTED BY ERIC HUGHES
YOUNGSTOWN. OH – It was a chilly Friday evening as the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals took on the East Golden Bears in a thrilling high school football matchup. The excitement in the air was palpable, and both teams were determined to claim victory on the gridiron.
The game kicked off with a burst of energy from the East Golden Bears. Just one minute into the first quarter, running back Thomas Davis exploded with a spectacular 57-yard run. The crowd cheered as Davis showcased his speed and agility. Shortly after, Davis punched the ball into the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run, giving East an early lead of 6-0. However, their two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals quickly responded, showing their resilience and offensive prowess. With 1:51 left in the first quarter, running back Adyn Page carried the ball 8 yards into the end zone, giving the Cardinals their first touchdown of the game. Kicker Chris Clautti’s extra point was good, and Mooney took the lead, 7-6.
Mooney’s momentum continued to build as the first quarter came to a close. Quarterback Ashton O’Brien displayed his passing skills, connecting with tight end Johnathan Brenner on a 19-yard touchdown pass with just 32 seconds remaining. Chris Clautti’s reliable leg added the extra point, extending Mooney’s lead to 14-6.
The East Golden Bears, however, were not to be outdone. In the second quarter, Thomas Davis struck again with a 6-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 14-12 as their two-point attempt fell short.
But the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals continued to make their presence felt. O’Brien’s arm was on full display as he connected with wide receiver Matt Kay on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 5:21 left in the second quarter. Clautti’s PAT was good, and Mooney’s lead grew to 21-12.
The East Golden Bears refused to back down and clawed their way back into the game. Quarterback Andrew Blackmon orchestrated a drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nathaniel Torres. East’s two-point conversion attempt was once again unsuccessful, but they managed to narrow the gap to 21-18 with just 1:27 remaining in the second quarter.
As the clock wound down in the second quarter, Ashton O’Brien had one more trick up his sleeve. He launched a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyon Flowers, and with Clautti’s extra point, Mooney’s lead stretched to 28-18.
The second half continued to favor the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals. With 8:45 left in the third quarter, running back Cam Paige powered through with a 4-yard touchdown run, making it 35-18 after Clautti’s PAT.
O’Brien, the talented Mooney quarterback, extended their lead even further with a 19-yard touchdown run, and kicker Mason Janis added the extra point to make it 42-18 with 5:23 left in the game.
Mooney was not finished, and in the final minutes, O’Brien connected with Matt Kay again. This time, it was an 18-yard tip-drill touchdown pass that left the East Golden Bears in disbelief. The extra point attempt was no good, but Mooney sealed the deal with a commanding 48-18 lead.
When the final whistle blew, the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals emerged as the victors, their determination and skill on full display. The win was a testament to their teamwork and resilience, and their fans celebrated this exciting victory on that chilly Friday night under the stadium lights.
