IRISH GET BUMPED OUT BY LAKE CATHOLIC
YOUNGSTOWN OH- The Ursuline Fighting Irish and the Mentor Lake Catholic Cougars met in the regional final Saturday night at Stambaugh Stadium. The Irish we’re down some key starters in this matchup, and Lake Catholic took full advantage of it.
The first half of the ballgame was a defensive battle, as Lake Catholic turned the ball over on downs a couple of times in Irish territory, and Ursuline couldn’t put any points on the board. Lake Catholic got the first score late in the half, as quarterback Joe Malchesky connected with receiver Charlie Vincent to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead heading into the half. Ursuline came out of the half with a long dash from Jakylan Irving as he took the opening kickoff to start the second half 90 plus yards to put the Irish on the board. Ursuline went for two after the touchdown, got it, but then a penalty brought back out senior kicker Dylan Peplowski to nail the extra point and tie the ballgame at 7.
The third quarter got ugly for the Irish after the kickoff return, as Lake Catholic scored on a 54-yard reception by Charlie Vincent, and then the Cougars defense picked off 2 passes on back to back possessions. The Cougars were able to capitalize on both turnovers, and really pull away with a 28-7 lead. Later in the second half, the Irish would turn the ball over on downs, and Joe Malchesky would run it in from 4 yards out. The Cougars would win the Regional Final 35-7, and advance to the state semifinal game. Ursuline ended the year 7-3 and had a great bounce-back season. Lake Catholic takes on Bloom-Carroll next Saturday in the state semifinal game at 7 P.M.
*Contributed by YSN’s Richie Juliano
