MOONEY MAKES A STATEMENT IN BIG WIN OVER MAYFIELD
Photo Credit: Mahoning Valley Sports
Youngstown, OH- The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals earned their first victory of the season with an emphatic 34-6 win over the Mayfield Wildcats, combining strong defense, key offensive plays, and special teams brilliance.
The first quarter saw a defensive battle, with both teams refusing to yield any points. Mooney’s offense finally broke through early in the second quarter. With 11:16 remaining, quarterback Vince Gentile found Carlos Gomez for a 33-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but the Cardinals took a 6-0 lead. Mooney struck again late in the quarter when Gentile delivered a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Clark. Another failed 2-point attempt left the score at 12-0 as the teams headed into halftime.
In the third quarter, Mayfield answered back. At 7:30, Lantz Reed powered through for a 4-yard touchdown run, but the Wildcats’ 2-point conversion attempt fell short, making it a 12-6 game. The Cardinals responded with a crucial drive, capped off by Vince Gentile’s 2-yard touchdown pass to his brother, Rocco Gentile, at 1:16. This time, Mooney converted the 2-point attempt, stretching their lead to 20-6.
Mooney took full control in the fourth quarter. At 8:54, Vince Gentile connected with Carlos Gomez again, this time on a spectacular 25-yard touchdown pass. Gomez fought through a pass interference call and made a diving catch in the end zone to complete the play. The extra point was good, pushing Mooney’s lead to 27-6.
The Cardinals sealed the game on special teams when Dom Letlow blocked a Mayfield punt, and Kejuan Dean scooped up the loose ball, returning it 25 yards for a touchdown. After another successful extra point, Mooney extended the lead to 34-6.
The final play of the game saw Mooney’s Adyn Paige blitz through the Mayfield line, tackling quarterback Michael Pollutro on the 1-yard line as time expired, ensuring the defense closed the game on a high note.
With the win, the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals (1-4) will aim to carry this momentum into Week 6 when they face the Boardman Spartans (3-2) on the road. The Mayfield Wildcats (2-3) will return home to begin Western Reserve Conference play against the Eastlake North Rangers (3-2).