YOUNGSTOWN OH- With the Penguins on the road, fans still saw an exciting Regional Quarterfinal playoff game at Stambaugh Stadium, Dike Beede field between two coaches in Dan Readon and the third seeded Ursuline faced off against Ron Johnson’s sixth seed Salem Quakers.  Both coaches were once the head coach for Canton McKinley, turning that program around and this was the first meeting between the two. 

In the first quarter, the Quakers got off to a strong start as junior Jackson Johnson found conference leader in receptions Blaize Exline for a 23-yard touchdown making it 7 to 0.  Ursuline didn’t back down after an early touchdown by Salem as record breaker senior Brady Shannon found Harvard commit Dean Boyd for a 38-yard touchdown.  However, Raegan Smith’s PAT was no good and the Quakers were still up by one. 

Both teams went back and forth before the end of the first after.  Johnson took one in himself from five-yards out making it 14 to six and then Shannon finding Marc Manning three yards out in the back of the endzone making it 14-13 after the Smith PAT.  

The second quarter once again saw fireworks on the offensive side but it slowed down for the Quakers after a Johnson one yard rush for the touchdown.  Ursuline scored two more times before half with a DeMarcus McElroy 21-yard touchdown and a Shannon to Boyd who kept the toes in making it a touchdown and going into the half, the Irish had the momentum leading 26-21. 

 Part of the change in momentum too was a CJ Frasco interception and Will Burney’s return having magic in his feet, which led the Irish to dominate the third.  Two touchdowns from McElroy from one-yard out and from seven yards out.  Johnson broke free for a big 37-yard touchdown run and then a two yard run in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough as Ursuline’s offense became too powerful to stop.  One more Shannon to Boyd pass from 37-yards and a McElroy run iced the game as Ursuline will move on to the Regional Semifinals with the big 54-35 victory against the Salem Quakers.

Ursuline Stats

Shannon: 11-16 for 167 yards and four touchdowns.  Shannon: 10 carries for 100 yards

McElroy: 29 carries for 209 yards and four touchdowns. 

Boyd: five receptions for 108 yards and three touchdowns.  

Manning: three receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown.  

Salem Stats

Johnson: 16-31 for 147 yards one touchdown and two interceptions.  28 carries for 187 yards and four rushing touchdowns.  

Exline: eight receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown. 

Up Next:

Third seed Ursuline (8-3) will head to neutral territory where they will be facing off against the seventh seed Cleveland Glenville Tarblooders (9-3) after a big upset victory against second seed Cleveland Villa Angela St Joseph Vikings who finish their season with a record of 7-2. 

Salem Meanwhile, will turn their equipment in and look forward to off season lifting and the 2022 season. 

*Contributed by YSN’s Ian O’Brien*