Ursuline records a 35-0 shutout against Austintown Fitch | News, sports, jobs

YOUNGSTOWN – Back-to-back 35-0 victories over Warren Harding and previously unbeaten Austintown Fitch have given the Ursuline Fighting Irish an impressive 5-1 record six weeks into the season.

Irish fans rocked Youngstown State University as Ursuline got the ball first on Friday. After a nice drive, they attempted a 20-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Fitch senior Deonte Stallings.

Ursuline (5-1) forced the Falcons to punt, and the Irish took a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 59-yard touchdown pass from DC Ferrell to Devonte Taylor.

Both teams’ defenses forced multiple turnovers on downs, and Fitch senior Rocco DiFlorio ended one of Ursuline’s attacks with a tackle for a loss.

The Falcons (5-1) put together a good drive after a run up the middle by senior Jerome Miller. They then attempted a 47-yard field goal, but it missed with a bang against the right upright.

The Irish took a 14-0 lead after some big ball wins through the air by Marquaias Patterson and Ray Javey. Taylor finished the drive with a 7-yard TD catch in the corner of the end zone.

The Falcons had a chance to score points before halftime. Fitch came up 1 yard short on a third-and-15. They then tried a 35-yard field, but it missed wide right.

Ursuline forced the Falcons to put away the first possession of the second half, and the Irish made it 21-0 on a 1-yard QB keeper by Ferrell.

Senior Da’shaun Will intercepted the ball for the Irish and Ferrell made it 28-0 with a 7-yard touchdown run.

After a narrow 37-35 loss to undefeated Walsh Jesuit in the opening week of the season, the Irish have outscored their opponents 178-16 during their five-game winning streak.

“We were a good defensive team last season,” Ursuline coach Dan Reardon said. “I think we’re even better this season.”

Ursuline recovered an onside kick and the Irish scored the final touchdown of the game on a spectacular 43-yard touchdown catch by Taylor. Taylor reached around the defender for a highlight-reel score.

“Man, that was something different,” Reardon said. “He’s such a good football player. We see things like this almost every day in practice. We’ve gotten used to it. He is such a talented young man. He has a lot of advantages. The sky is the limit for this child.”