URSULINE IMPRESSES IN SEASON OPENER

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio- Coming off a heartbreaking last-minute loss in the 2021 Division IV State Championship game against Clinton Massie, the Ursuline Irish could not wait to begin the 2022 campaign and get last year behind them. With some holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball with the graduation of three of the most prolific athletes to ever dawn the Green and Gold in Brady Shannon (UCF Baseball), DeMarcus McElroy (Marshall), and Dean Boyd (Harvard), some new names were going to have to step up for Ursuline to get back to their winning ways against a very athletic Brookfield team.

The Irish welcomed the Warriors in front of an energetic crowd on opening night at Stambaugh Stadium, and they wasted very little time letting their presence be felt. New Quarterback Jack Ericson scampered into the end zone from 21 yards out to open the scoring not even two full minutes into the game. After a Brookfield three-and-out, the high-powered Irish offense once again quickly moved down the field, and Ericson used his arm to find Will Burney for a touchdown through the air. By the end of the first quarter, Ursuline had already built a 21-7 lead.

The second quarter was when Ursuline really started to flex their muscles, as Brookfield struggled mightily all night long on finding a way to slow down the Irish attack. A 33-yard field goal by James McGlone followed by touchdown runs by Christian Lynch and Ericson pulled Ursuline out to a comfortable 38-7 lead by the time the teams went to their respective locker rooms.

Sophomore standout D.C. Ferrell then showed in the third quarter just a glimpse of the ball player that he is. The Liberty transfer intercepted a Donovan Pawlowski pass and returned it to the house for a pick-six. Ferrell finished the night with three catches for 102 yards to help go along with his defensive interception.

A long touchdown run by Joe Balog was the icing on the cake for the Irish, as they came away with a 52-14 victory.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jack Ericson, as mentioned earlier, had a standout performance for the Irish in his first career start as the Varsity Quarterback for the Ursuline. Ericson finished the night going 9-for-13 for 178 yards and a touchdown through the air, while also carrying the ball six times for 55 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground.

*Contributed By YSN’s Anthony Romo

Postgame Interview With Dan Reardon:

Postgame Interview With Jack Ericson: