TURNOVERS SINK MOONEY

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…