HUBBARD BREAKS THE STREAK, BEATS MOONEY FOR FIRST TIME

HUBBARD, Ohio –
Since 1961, the Hubbard Eagles and Cardinal Mooney Cardinals have faced off 14 times. For Cardinal Mooney, it has been nothing but pure domination of the series. With the majority of their matchups coming from their days as rival members of the Steel Valley Conference, the Cardinals came into the night with an unblemished record against the Eagles, outscoring them 366-72.
Looking for their first win in program history, Hubbard knew they were going to have to lead on their work horse, T.C. Caffey, and he delivered early. Through the first two Hubbard drives, Caffey touted the rock 12 times for just over 90 yards and got his Eagles out to an early 14-0 lead.
With momentum firmly on the side of the Eagles, the Mooney offense botched a snap and gave the ball back to Hubbard in plus territory. Just three plays later, Mooney finally caught a break, well, Davontae Miller created one, leveling a Hubbard ball carrier to create a turnover. Just three plays later, Miller would reach pay dirt from 23 yards out to cut Hubbard’s lead in half.
After forcing the Eagles to go 3 and out, Mooney would strike quickly once again. Sophomore quarterback, Ashton O’Brien, hit Daqua Douglas on a quick out from the backfield. With lots of green and a few blocker out in front of him, Douglas would take the ball up the Mooney sideline before cutting it back across to the opposite hash and winning a foot race to the endzone. A missed extra point left Mooney short of tying things up, 14-13.
Both teams would exchange trips into each other’s territory, but neither would come away with points, taking the score where it was into the half.
Coming out of half with the ball, Mooney would pick up one first down before being forced to punt the ball away to T.C. Caffey and Co. The Eagles ensuing drive, Caffey would carry the ball on 7 of the Eagles 8 plays, before capping their 72 yard drive off with an 8-yard touchdown run.
Answering the bell as they had done all night, Mooney’s first play from scrimmage on their next drive went for 31 yards into Hubbard territory. A couple Ashton O’Brien throws later and the Cardinals were in the endzone again, but, after missing their extra point earlier in the game, Mooney had to keep the offense out to try and go for 2. Looking to lean on their bell cow in Miller, Mooney turned and gave it to the senior power back, but would be stuffed at the goal line by the stout Hubbard front.
After stomping out the Mooney 2-point conversion attempt, Hubbard was able to hold on to their lead and secure their first victory over the catholic powerhouse in school history, 21-19.
BIG PERFORMERS
HUBBARD:
TC Caffey: 39 carries, 208 rushing yards, 3 TDs
CARDINAL MOONEY:
Ashton O’Brien: 8-12, 173 passing yards, 2 TDs
Davontae Miller: 15 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD
Ty Reali: 6 catches, 105 receiving yards, 1 TD
UP NEXT
Hubbard: Starting off the season 2-0 for the 8th time in 10 years, the Eagles will continue their home stint to start the year, playing host to East Cleveland Shaw (0-1). The Eagles last faced off with Shaw back in 2019, a game that ended 21-0.
Cardinal Mooney: The Cardinals will face off with another team with a slow start to the season in fellow Youngstown school, the Chaney Cowboys (0-2). Mooney will be looking to avenge their 30-0 loss to Chaney last season.