RIVALRY RENEWED, URSULINE TOUGHS OUT FIRST WIN OVER CHANEY
YOUNGSTOWN, OH- For Ursuline Coach Dan Reardon, it was a jubilant moment, and one that was months in the making as his Irish were able to lock in their first victory over cross-town rival, Chaney. Ursuline posted a 27-26 nailbiting victory over the Cowboys in the Steel Valley Conference Matchup-the first for the Irish since the conference has reformed in 2019.
However, it wasn’t exactly picture perfect for the Irish.
Up 20-14 in the second half, Chaney breakout star Deron Gilbert Jr. went 60 yards on an impressive run after the catch to put the Cowboys up by 12. Gilbert would finish with 7 receptions measuring out 146 yards and 2 touchdowns. Just as impressive, Delshawn Petrosky went 16-28 with those same two scores. It was the turnovers the Cowboys had that allowed the Irish to stay in the game.
Three interceptions and a costly fumble was the cost of doing business for Chaney. The Irish’s Andrew Barkett was able to pounce on that fumble in the endzone putting Ursuline down just 5 points with just under ten minutes remaining.
Matt Reardon stepped up under center after Brady Shannon left with an injury- and led the Irish downfield where Trent Hill bowled his way in from 2 yards out into the endzone to give the Irish a 27-26 lead with just over five minutes left in the game.
Chaney tried as they might, but the Irish defense arrived late like a boa constrictor, suffocating the Cowboy offense- and forcing a pair of interceptions to seal their first victory of 2019.
Chaney will look to bounce back against University School next Saturday at 2 pm, while Ursuline packs the bus and heads to Columbus to take on Bishop Watterson this Friday.