BIG RED DODGE RAINDROPS; CAN’T HIDE FROM IRISH
YOUNGSTOWN, OH- Ursuline snuck past Steubenville Thursday, 36-28, on a night filled with uncertainty.
While the Irish boasted a deep skill position group, many questioned how its line would fare after graduating all five starters from the previous season.
Ursuline came out of the gate firing when signal caller Jack Ericson found D.C. Ferrell wide open to move his squad into Big Red territory. The drive was extended with a couple of third down conversions, then capped off by a 14-yard touchdown scamper from All-State halfback Christian Lynch.
Once the Irish got going, they never surrendered the lead. A couple of stops in the second frame and timely touchdown catches from new starters Tairan Davis and Devonte Taylor put Dan Reardon’s squad up convincingly at the break, 29-12.
As if Ursuline’s home opener wasn’t going well enough, Vinny Fecko was able to force a Steubenville fumble on the first play of the third quarter. Shortly after, Ericson connected with Taylor for the second time on the evening, and the route seemed to be on with the Irish holding a commanding 36-12 lead.
The Big Red would answer back in thanks to its seniors. First on a touchdown run from Savier Faulks, then later a pick-six from Elijah Mullins. Que the storm.
The weather delay for this game lasted well over an hour, but when it resumed, the Irish had fourth and 15 from the Steubenville 45-yard line. Only 5:06 remained in the contest/
Steubenville kept fighting, scoring a late touchdown with a successful two-point conversion.
However, an Ursuline three-and-out couldn’t help the Big Red’s hopes of forcing an extra session. A last-second “Hail Mary” attempt fell about 15 yards shy of the end zone and secured an impressive victory for Ursuline.
Ericson led the way for the Irish, tossing the rock for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Davis was also big in the win, racking up well over 100 receiving yards and a pair of scores.
*Article written by YSN’s Tim Corso