After a total of 12 games in the 2023 football season, Warren G. Harding finished the campaign with a record of 5-7. Through the first seven games of this season, the Raiders are sitting nicely with a record of 5-2, which marks the first time that they’ve been three games over .500 since the 2020 season. First year head coach Matt Richardson has, as he would say, “hit the ground running” with his loaded, hand picked coaching staff that was assembled with the goal of bringing the absolute best out of the players, which includes a senior class that has never finished with a winning season. Not only is that trend on the verge of changing, but a few of the seniors are guaranteed to play at the next level.
Warren G. Harding's defensive front swarms Boardman's offensive backfield and registers a tackle for a loss.
One of those seniors is Brown University commit Airiz Coleman Bey, who continues to showcase his athletic prowess on both sides of the ball. Over the last two weeks alone, he has carried the ball 14 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns while hauling in two interceptions on defense, which includes one that officially sealed the Raiders’ 19-14 road victory over Boardman this past Friday. He’s now tied with classmate Chaz Coleman for the team lead with three interceptions on the season.
Warren G. Harding senior and Brown University cmmit Airiz Coleman Bey seals the victory over Boardman with an interception late in the 4th quarter.
Speaking of Coleman, he also continues to shine bright for the significantly improved Raiders as he’s also the team leader in passing yards (340), touchdown passes (3), rushing yards (417), and rushing touchdowns (4). In addition to those accolades, he’s tied for the team lead with 4.0 tackles for a loss (with junior Tyler Smith) and 3.0 sacks (with fellow senior Kenneth Byrd Jr.). Meanwhile, senior Marcus Crum Jr. has hauled in 18 receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns while Coleman Bey has six catches for 84 yards. They’ll all need to be on top of their game as they’ll welcome in a long-time nemesis with a very deceiving record.
Warren G. Harding's Chaz Coleman cashes in the go-ahead score with a 7-yard touchdown run to give the Raiders a 19-14 lead over Boardman with 1:33 remaining in regulation.
You’d be hard pressed to find many high schools anywhere that have contributed more to the game of football than Youngstown Cardinal Mooney has over the years. Originating from the wisdom of the late, great coaching legend and athletic director Don Bucci, Mooney has produced a plethora of college football athletes, NFL players, and numerous coaches at both the high school and collegiate level. They all represent a proud fraternity of alumni that have extended their contributions well beyond the confines of 2545 Erie Street in Youngstown.
Classic photo of the late Don Bucci getting carried off the field during his coaching days at Cardinal Mooney. As their head coach from 1966 to 1999, he amassed a record of 302-89-5 and led them to state crowns in 1973, 1980, 1982, and 1987.
While their current record of 2-5 isn’t exactly the greatest representation for an eight-time state champion (1973, 1980, 1982, 1987, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011), it should be noted that four of Mooney’s losses came to opponents who were undefeated at the time of the matchup. In fact, those four teams (Lake Catholic, Cleveland Villa-Angela St. Joseph, Steubenville, and Garaway) enter week 8 with a combined record of 25-2, so the Cardinals are battle tested and ready to compete.
Cardinal Mooney quarterback Vince Gentile throws a touchdown pass to Rocco Gentile during their week 5 game against Mayfield.
One of the big playmakers for Mooney is junior Dennis Clark. A 2023 2nd Team All-Division IV selection, Clark is a quick, versatile athlete who utilizes his skill set all over the field. In fact, his speed is often showcased during track & field season as this past spring, he was a key piece in Mooney’s 4x100, 4x200, and 4x400 relays that made it to the 2024 OHSAA Division III State Track & Field Championships. They placed 5th in the 4x400 with a time of 3:26.88.
Mooney quarterback Vince Gentile connects with junior Dennis Clark on a 21-yard touchdown pass during their week 7 matchup against Youngstown Chaney.
Another young athlete that has made strides for Mooney is Dom Letlow. A 6-foot-3, 230-pound tight end and defensive end, the sophomore has already secured scholarship offers for the University of Kentucky and Akron. His efforts this season includes a blocked punt, which was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Brady Desmond during the Cardinals’ 27-0 demolition of Youngstown Chaney this past Friday.
Cardinal Mooney wide receiver Carlos Gomez is shown hauling in his second touchdown reception of their week 5 contest against Mayfield.
Offensively, Mooney is led by quarterback Vince Gentile, who has shown the ability to strike fast from anywhere on the field. In week 5, he threw four touchdown passes en route to a 34-6 victory over Mayfield. Two of those went to Carlos Gomez, who became the Cardinals’ all-time leader with 11 touchdown receptions.
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