By Dean Eversole
MaxPreps.com
When Youngstown Cardinal Mooney won the Division IV state title in 2004, there were whispers that the dynasty was back. Three years later the whispers are gone, but the dynasty is in full swing.
A certified powerhouse, the Cardinals have won six state titles - including two in the last three years - with a state runner-up finish in 2005 under the guidance of head coach Pete Fecko. A Mooney grad, Fecko took over the program in 2000 following in the footsteps of legendary coach Don Bucci.
To no surprise, Cardinal Mooney enters the 2007 campaign as everyone's pick to repeat in Division IV, and for very good reason. Mooney's roster is full of Division I prospects, starting with quarterback/defensive back Dan McCarthy.
McCarthy, who is expected to play safety in college, was offered scholarships by 11 different schools, including Ohio State, Michigan, West Virginia, LSU and Notre Dame. In the end he chose to join his brother, Kyle, at Notre Dame, announcing his verbal commitment this summer. Kyle was the quarterback on the first Fecko title team in 2004, beginning the impressive Mooney run.
Last year McCarthy threw for over 700 yards, but most of his damage was done on the ground. Running a modified option offense, McCarthy gained 1,910 rushing yards and tallied 21 touchdowns. On defense he recorded 112 tackles and snared two interceptions.
McCarthy is the heart of the Cards attack, but he is far from the only weapon.
Joining him in the backfield are Penn State recruits Brandon Beachum and Mike Zordich. Beachum, a 225-pound tailback, settled on the Nittany Lions after flirting with LSU and Oklahoma. Last year for Mooney Beachum tallied 1,500 yards rushing and scored 16 times. Beachum is looking to add to those numbers for Fecko and crew in 2007.
Zordich is a bruising fullback whose future is at the linebacker spot. Zordich's dad, Mike, played for Penn State, and Mike is following suit. Zordich is the heart of a Mooney defense that allowed nine points per game last season. With the All-State middle linebacker and McCarthy at safety, that number has the potential to shrink in 2007.
Mooney on paper has the most talent in Division IV, but winning on the football field requires a lot more. With Division III state champion Steubenville and runner-up Kettering Alter moving down, the division is shaping up to be simply brutal. Add in traditional powers Jonathan Alder, Coldwater, Oak Harbor and Marion Pleasant, the road to Massillon is loaded with pitfalls.
But that's the story of Mooney's entire season, brutal. The Cards are use to a difficult schedule playing a number of Division I and II teams, but with their entry in the Burger King Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge, the 2007 schedule got even tougher. Mooney will play Western Pennsylvania power Gateway at Canton's Fawcett Stadium Sept. 1.
The game is an opportunity for Mooney to jump on the national stage, taking Cardinal football to a new level.
If they survive the Challenge, games with Columbus Waterson, Cleveland St. Benedict, and cross-town rival Youngstown Ursuline lurk. With the loaded schedule, anything beyond six wins should put the Cards in the playoffs for an opportunity at a fourth-consecutive title game appearance.
