Tag Archive for: Mooney

TIGERS, KLINE MAKE THE COMEBACK, BEAT THE CARDINALS IN SEASON OPENER

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Basketball is a game of makes and misses, scoring runs and defensive stands. And in the first game of the season, the Tigers of Newton Falls and Cardinal Mooney gave fans all of the above.

After a very slow start, with plenty of turnovers from both sides, the second quarter saw Mooney go on a 10-0 run. Led by senior Devon Jenkins and junior Mike Pelini, the front court of the Cardinals combined for 14 points in the second quarter to give Mooney a 10 point lead at the half, 23-13.

But the Tigers point guard Joey Kline would take the game over in the second half. After going 0-5 from long range, Kline would hit 3 big three point shots, as well as a wild left handed layup that drew a foul. Kline finished with 24, and brought the Tigers all the way back to take the lead in the fourth. Despite the sensational game from Pelini, who would finish 25 points and a couple rebounds short of a double double, Mooney could not answer down the stretch and fell to the Tigers 45-43.

MOONEY BOYS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP1 WITH CAREY PALERMO)

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Entering his fourth year as the Mooney boys’ basketball coach, Carey Palermo brings an unwavering competitive nature and drive. Through his coaching, he hopes he instill all of those things into his players.

A young team with only four seniors will take the court in a few weeks for the Cardinals, and our own Nate Keiper sat down with Coach Palermo to discuss how the team has improved through the offseason, how last year’s roller coaster season helped build for this season, and about the importance of patience when it comes to coaching.

Episode 1 of the Coach’s Corner for Mooney Boys Basketball with Coach Palermo, brought to you by MP Vivo.

A SECOND HALF COMEBACK LIFTS THE FALCONS

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH-Football is a 48-minute long game. What happens in the first 24 matters little if you can’t perform in the final 24 minutes. Cardinal Mooney fell victim to this as the Fitch Falcons made fantastic adjustments to win 27-14.

The first half was largely dominated by the Cardinals. Walter Sweeney, in his fourth career start at QB, along with sophomore running back Zyere Rodgers marched down the field on their first two offensive possessions. Sweeney was the first to find the endzone, a 15 yard scamper that put the Cardinals up 7-0. Later in the second quarter, running back Dom Byrd had a 3 yard plunge to extend the lead before halftime to 14-0.

But the second half adjustments from the Falcons were superb. Devin Sherwood, the sophomore QB, used his legs as well as his arm to get the Falcons back into the game. After a muffed punt, Sherwood took little time to run in a touchdown for the Falcons first score of the game. Fitch’s defense put the clamps on the Mooney offense, forcing punt after punt. Sherwood would find Todd Simons for 2 more touchdowns, one at the end of the third and another in the first 2 minutes of the fourth quarter. Then, while trying to run off the clock, Sherwood broke free again for a 38 yard touchdown run.

Despite a third-quarter interception from Jack McGlone, Mooney simply could not match the second-half scoring run put on by the Falcons. Mooney falls to 4-6, Fitch playing the playoff spoiler and keeping Mooney from reaching week 11.

 

TURNOVERS SINK MOONEY

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH- It only got tougher for Walt Sweeney, playing in his second game as the QB for the Cardinals, this week as Mooney would post only one score against a talented Warren Harding Raiders squad.

Each team came into the game with a record of 4-3 and, most importantly, each was currently in the playoff picture for their respective regions. Needing a win to keep pace, Warren Harding would strike quickly, taking their first offensive possession into the endzone with a 3-yard touchdown by Elizah Smith. The Cardinal’s incurring possession would result in a punt, but the defense stood tall and forced a punt as well. Leading the charge was Michael Pastella, who led the Cardinals with 8 solo tackles and 2 sacks.

In the second, Mooney’s offense would click into high gear. The sophomore sensation, Zyere Rodgers, ripped off big run after big run. The drive was capped by Sweeney finding Mike Scavina up the middle for a 26-yard touchdown pass, the first for Walt Sweeney. But turnovers would become the story for the Cardinals. The first of two fumbles occurred in the first quarter, however, Mooney’s defense was able to hold. The second came in the second half on a muffed punt. Tack on 3 interceptions, a couple of them tipped balls, and the opportunistic Raider defense gave the offense plenty of short fields.

Marcus Brown, who came in as the wildcat formation QB, finished with two rushing touchdowns and 86 yards on the ground. QB Elijah Taylor also had a great game, 6/10 for 101 and a touchdown, a 56-yard bomb to his number one target Ty Artis. The Raiders would go on to win the game 31-7.

Cardinal Mooney finds themselves in a must-win situation next week, against arch-rival Ursuline.

The Holy War draws near…

HEARTBREAK IN OT, MOONEY FALLS TO LOUISVILLE

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Forced into action due to injuries, Walter Sweeney took his first ever snaps at quarterback in Mooney’s home game against the Louisville Leopards. It would take two extra frames of overtime to settle it, but the Cardinals would fall 20-14.

Louisville came into the game averaging well over 30 points a game, but the Cardinals leaned on their defense early on. Dino Mario D’Alesio would pick off Colton Jones on the Leopards opening possession, but Mooney could not come away with any points. A scoreless first quarter would end with the Cardinals punting it away to Louisville.

The defenses continued to dominate through the first half, with each team committing two turnovers. That was until Colton Jones found Davis Burick up the middle for a 28 yard touchdown strike on a fourth down and ten.

Both team’s offenses got going in the third quarter, exchanging touchdown drives. It was the sophomore phenom Zyere Rodgers would struck first, when Mooney took their opening second half possession straight to the endzone, a 3 yard plunge from Rodgers. Leopards responded quickly with a massive play of their own, when Jones hit Burick again but this time for a 61 yard touchdown. But Sweeney and the Cardinals refused to quit. Rodgers would again break free for a another touchdown, this one for 23 yards. Rodgers would finish with 174 yards along with the two scores.

We entered the first overtime with Louisville on offense, but two high snaps ending their scoring opportunity. Mooney’s responding drive ended with a field goal try, and Brian Philbin just barely missing a 30 yard field goal. The second overtime had Mooney on offense first. But the Leopard defense stood tall, and forced the only fumble of the game from inside their own 1 yard line. And on the ensuing possession, Louisville would need only 4 plays for Davis Burick on the wildcat snap to find pay dirt and lift the Leopards to victory. Louisville wins 20-14.

GROUND GAME CARRIES THE CARDINALS TO VICTORY

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Mooney Cardinals started off their five game home stand against in city rival, the East Golden Bears. A surprise team from last year, the Bears had a 7-3 record and made the playoffs. Both teams entered the game with a record of 3-2, looking to see who truly was the best in Y-town.

Each teams first possession ended with a touchdown, and all of the yardage coming on the ground. Junior QB for the Cardinals, Pat Guerrieri scored from 11 yards out to put Mooney of the board first, but the Bears would answer right back with a touchdown of their own, a 36 yard scamper by Maleek McIntosh. The extra point though would be blocked, and a fast moving first quarter would end 7-6 in favor of Mooney.

Once the second quarter started though, Mooney would take complete control. A huge run of 43 yards by Jeremy Thornton put the Cardinals inside the 5 yard line of East, and Guerrieri would punch it in himself. Guerrieri would also tack on a touchdown pass when he hit Michael Scavina for a 24 touchdown. Guerrieri would finish with 86 yards passing, along with 72 on the ground and 3 total touchdowns.

But it was that ground game from Mooney that became the story. The combination of Zyere Rodgers, Dom Byrd, and Jeremy Thornton was simply too much for the Bears defense. After Bears’ QB Isiah McBride was picked off by Walter Sweeney, the sophomore sensation Rodgers hit the hole and took off for a 13 yard touchdown run. Dom Byrd would find the endzone as well in the fourth quarter, and Mooney’s defense shined as well, forcing two turnovers and holding the Bears to 4/15 on third down. The Cardinals rushed for over 350 yards en route to a win, 38-13.

OAK GLEN SNAPS MOONEY WINNING STREAK

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A bittersweet moment for the Cardinals in their final home game of the season, as head coach Tony Gorvet made it clear that this would be his last home game as the Mooney volleyball coach. Ten years, a district championship, and well over 130 wins, the team surprised coach with a plaque to commemorate his wonderful career.

The Cardinals played host to the powerhouse Oak Glen Golden Bears, who not only are undefeated on the season, but have only been defeated in two total sets for the season. With each set, Mooney would trade blows with Oak Glen. Magen Petty and Katie Hough combined for 9 kills, Hough specifically brought the crowd and bench to their feet in a spectacular dig in the second set that saved a point for Mooney. Mariah Farragher also contributed 5 kills, two of them coming on back to back plays.

But Oak Glen is undefeated for a reason. Superb serving by Hannah Rogers, who had 4 aces, and pinpoint spikes from Skye Stokes proved to be too much for the Cardinals. The Cardinals fought back late in the third when they trailed 22-7 with 5 straight points, but the Golden Bears would get back on track, and finish off Mooney in 3 sets, snapping Mooney’s home winning streak. The season is not over though! As we wind down volleyball season, the ladies have four more games to play, all of them on the road. And with their talent, and the support of the Mooney family, these girls are confident that a long tournament run is in their future.

MAGEN PETTY IS RUNNIN’ DOWN A DREAM

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As Mooney nears the end of their volleyball season, many of the players find themselves feeling nostalgic. Magen Petty, senior outside hitter for the Cardinals, feels like it was just yesterday that she started playing on that very court. A home court where Mooney is 6-5, and has won three straight. Petty is voice of confidence and leadership for this team.

Magen Petty embodies all the core traits Mooney instills in their students and athletes; intelligence, humility, grit and execution. She is part of an excellent group of young ladies who not only play for one another, but hold each other accountable. They expect to win each and every time they take the court, such is the mindset of a Cardinal Mooney athlete.

Magen took some time to talk with our Nate Keiper prior to their game against Oak Glen, an undefeated powerhouse from West Virginia. And so, in this episode of Player Profile, sponsored by M.P. Vivo, MAGEN PETTY IS RUNNIN’ DOWN A DREAM.

*photo taken by Susan DeCesare

MOONEY SENIORS SHINE IN 3-1 WIN OVER STRUTHERS

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With senior night comes a bevy of emotions. Laughs, smiles, and sometimes tears as well. For the five seniors honored at Mooney’s game against Struthers, it was chance to put together a performance worthy of the adulation. And they most certainly delivered.

Mooney trail early in set one, with some excellent blocks by Struthers and some off target serves. At one point, down 8-4, the girls rallied around each other after a brief timeout. That was when Magen Petty started to hit her stride. Petty dominated at the net, with 7 kills in the first set. Fellow seniors Mariah Farragher and lebero C.J. Sapp also contributed with kills of their own. But it wasn’t just the seniors. In a spectacular sequence, Leanne Chandler aced the Wildcats on 3 consecutive serves. Mooney would take set one by a score of 25-12.

Set two was a back and forth affair, Struthers adjusting nicely to the repeated aces scored by Mooney. Heike Kaurshill and Kortnie Bolevich led the charge as Struthers would fight back to take set two 25-23.

In the third set, another underclassmen stepped up when Katie Hough made a miraculous dig as the Wildcats were mounting a comeback. Alisa Telega and Farragher kept plenty of possessions alive, and Raegen Filipowicz took over where Petty started. Raegen finished with 3 kills and also 3 blocks. Mooney takes set three 25-16.

With the game on the line, in the game winning set, Sapp and Petty would show their leadership. After a somewhat quiet second and third set, Petty exploded offensively with 7 more kills. She would finish with 14, the game’s highest. Sapp would score two more aces, and Mooney would dominate the fourth set wire to wire, picking up the win 25-13 and 3-1 in total sets.

C.J. CAN DIG IT

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As Mooney prepares to enter tournament play, they’re looking to put together a win streak to finish the 2019 season strong. One of the unquestioned leaders of the Cardinal Mooney volleyball team, C.J. Sapp has put together an incredible body of work. Most recently, Sapp eclipsed the 1000 career digs mark, something she, nor many other Mooney fans have never seen done before.

A multi-sport athlete who leads by example, C.J. personifies everything that Cardinal Mooney wants in their students and athletes.

YSN’s Nate Keiper spoke with C.J. prior to the Cardinals game against Struthers to discuss this volleyball season, and Sapp’s goals for the rest of it.

You can bet that when it comes to volleyball, C.J. CAN DIG IT.