By Tim Corso
YOUNGSTOWN OH- Ursuline topped Cardinal Mooney 30-0 in the Holy War Friday night.
For the first time since 2000 the Irish held its rival scoreless, with this being dominant fashion.
Ursuline’s defense faced an early test as the Cardinals had the ball on the Irish 23 after a muffed punt, but their defense held.
After the defense forced a turnover on downs, DC Ferrell took the designed run 75 yards to the house to put his squad up 6-0 early.
Ursuline would add a field goal later in the quarter, but it was a big touchdown from Ray Javey near the end of the half that gave Ursuline a 16-0 lead going into the intermission.
On the very first possession of the second half, Mooney signal caller Vince Gentile was intercepted by John Frangos that set the Irish up with great territory.
That short field was capped off by a 13-yard Ferrell scamper for six, extending the lead to 23.
From that point, it was all Ursuline.
Whether it was a recovered onside kick, or Ferrell connecting with Devonte Taylor on a pitch and catch to bring the lead to 30, it seemed like Cardinal Mooney had no answer for Dan Reardon’s attack.
This was the first time in program history that the Irish have defeated their rival in six consecutive games.
They now have also clinched their sixth consecutive Steel Valley Conference title.
Both Ursuline and Mooney will play playoff games next week.
The Irish (9-1) will host an opponent that will be named soon, while the Cardinals (3-7) will travel to a top seed in their respective region.