URSULINE HANDLES THE WILDCATS
YOUNGSTOWN OH- With the regular season over, it was time for the Ursuline Fighting Irish to take the next step. Last season, they made it far but came up short. This season, it was back to the postseason and get past round one. In order to do that, they would have to get past the fourteenth seeded Canton South Wildcat led by coach Matt Denninson in his first year, with nearly the same wins and losses, beating teams in Marlington, Alliance, Akron North and the likes of Minerva, but have also lost to Northern Buckeye Conference rivals in Carrollton (34-28), West Branch (63-42) and Salem (35-32). Tonight would be a test if the Wildcats could upset the Irish or if this was the same old story and become all Irish again?
The Irish got on the board first when punter Brady Noll muffed a punt which after getting hit led to a scoop and score by Marc Manning. A two-point conversion later, and it was not 8-0 Ursuline early.
After that, the Irish continued their power game on the ground with DeMarcus McElroy scoring from 14-yards out and then from 38-yards out making it 22-7. That one score by Canton South was a two yard touchdown quarterback sneak by Poochie Snyder.
Ursuline had a dominant third quarter as Shannons QB option went five-yards to the endzone making it 36-7 Ursuline. After a missed field goal for the Wildcats before the half, they bounced pack and clawed their way to the endzone when Snyder found wide receiver Caleb Lott for a 10-yard strike making it 36-14.
However, Canton South only scored once more when Tam Church went 49-yards out giving the Wildcats 20 points on the night. All of Ursuline’s scores were touchdown passes to Dean Boyd 20-yards out and Dylan Sztary four-yards out.
The Irish got their last touchdown when Christian Lynch broke the pile for a 10-yard touchdown making the final 48-20. This night also had big history as Brady Shannon once again passed former Ursuline and Penn State Nittany Lion quarterback Daryll Clark for most passing touchdowns in a career.
Stats
Brady Shannon: 13-19 for 170 yards and two touchdowns (rushing touchdown).
DeMarcus McElroy: 12 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
Christian Lynch: nine carries for 51 yards one touchdown
Marc Manning: three receptions for 68 yards, Dean Boyd four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. Dylan Sztary had one reception for four yards and a touchdown.
Poochie Snyder: 20-35 for 205 yards one touchdown and one interception (rushing touchdown).
Tam Church: 11 Carrie’s for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Receiving: Akil Martin: five receptions for 53 yards. Caleb Lott: eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Up Next:
Third seed Ursuline (7-3) will host another Northern Buckeye conference team in the sixth seeded Salem Quakers (8-3) who got a big 48-14 victory Friday against Woodridge. Kickoff is Friday 7pm on YSN LIVE!!!
*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*
