This time last season, Harding entered week 5 with a record of 1-3 while being outscored 98 to 75. This season to date, they have reversed that win-loss ratio by outscoring their opposition to 80 to 53. Defensively, “53” represents the fewest points that Harding has surrendered through the first four games of a season since the dynamic 2016 squad outscored their opposition 151 to 34.
Harding quarterback Chaz Coleman connectes with fellow senior Marcus Crum Jr. on a 22-yard touchdown pass against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.
What’s the biggest difference from this season to last? For starters, first-year head coach Matt Richardson hired a well-experienced staff that has brought the absolute best out of the Raiders.
Senior defensive back Donovan Salero-McCoy (#17) reacts to the football and delivers a big hit against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.
As much as we’ve heard about the defensive heroics of guys like Chaz Coleman (4.0 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, 3 interceptions, & one touchdown), Airiz Coleman Bey (2 interceptions & 1 touchdown), Kenneth Byrd Jr. ( 2.0 tackles for a loss & 2.0 sacks), Tyler Smith (3.0 tackles for a loss & 1.0 sacks), etc, you very seldom, if ever, see assistant coaches get mentioned by the media. That said, a huge part of Richardson’s recipe for success has been adding quality defensive coaches. They include Defensive Coordinator Eric Ungaro (28th year coaching), Outside Linebackers Coach Dominic Menedez (27th year coaching), Defensive Line Coach Vince Peterson (8th year coaching), and Defensive Back Coaches Alfie Burch (15th year coaching), African Grant (15th year coaching; 2-year NFL career), and Rico Murray (2nd year coaching; 12-year professional football career).
Harding senior linebacker returns his second interception against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 47 yards for a touchdown.
Every last one of those coaches, including 10-year Harding assistant Anthony Elias (1st year coaching linebackers), are largely responsible for the transformation that’s taking place with the same young men that were on the team last year. On top of that, Chaz Coleman, who didn’t even play on defense at all last year, is now considered one of Ohio’s more elite linebacker/tight end recruits. In fact, after his performance this past Friday against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (2 interceptions, 1 tackle for a loss, and a 47-yard pick-6), don’t be surprised if more Power-4 schools join Ole Miss and Kentucky as those that have offered the 6-foot-5, 230-pound athlete.
Harding junior linebacker swarms Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary's offensive backfield to register a tackle for a loss.
Offensively, Chaz Coleman is currently 18-of-27 for 194 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while adding 248 rushing yards and two additional scores on 49 carries (5.1 YPC). His touchdown total is currently matched by his brother, Brandon Coleman Jr., who has rushed for 107 yards and the pair of scores on 27 carries. Meanwhile, Raider fans will be pleased to know that their leading rusher is actually a young sophomore in Mi’King Adair, whose 154 yards and score on 13 carries against St. Vincent-St. Mary gave him 296 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries (6.7).
Harding quarterback Chaz Coleman connects with fellow senior Devon Morgan III for a 22-yard touchdown pass.
We’re all aware of Richardson’s lengthy history of coaching up solid running backs and when you throw in the expertise of Running Backs Coach Tamron Smith (20th year coaching) and H-Backs/Tight Ends Coach De’Veon Smith (1st year coaching; currently heading into his 8th season of professional football; Trumbull County’s all-time leading rusher), Adair’s progress will be interesting to follow moving forward.
Harding sophomore Mi'King Adair breaks loose for a 41-yard touchdown run against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.
This week, Harding will put all of their experience to the test against a long-time foe that knows all about building itself up for success.
Usually, when we think about a successful sports program (any level), we think about how good they are in the present. Sometimes, we collectively act as if it’s “unfair” when certain teams are better than others, but the reality is that every successful coach, athlete, and team pays their dues. For example, in 2004, then-long time Harding assistant coach Dan Reardon was hired to take over a Youngstown Ursuline program that had gone 5-5 in 2003.
Ursuline head coach Dan Reardon has won three state championships with the Fitching Irish (2008, 2009, 2010).
After leading the Fighting Irish to a combined record of 15-15 in his first three seasons, 2007 was the year that Reardon really made a splash as a 12-3 season concluded with a Division IV state runner up finish. That proved to be only a small sample of what was ahead for Ursuline as they proceeded to win 41 of their next 44 games en route to winning three consecutive state playoff titles.
Finishing with a record of 15-0, Ursuline's 2008 squad finished as the Division V state champions.
Overall, in his original eight-year stint at Ursuline (2004-2011), Reardon compiled a record of 72-29.
On April 9, 2024, senior Ursuline defensive back Tairan Davis Jr. committed to Akron over the likes of Temple and Ohio University.
After a brief coaching career in the state of Colorado and a four-year run at perennial powerhouse Canton McKinley, the GPS in Reardon’s heart ultimately led him back to 750 Wick Avenue in Youngstown in 2019. This time, the Fighting Irish were coming off of seasons that finished with records of 3-7 (2016), 2-8 (2017), and 1-9 (2018). In his first year back, Reardon started multiple freshmen on varsity en route to a 2-8 finish that included losses to Harding (34-0), Cleveland Benedictine (52-26), Austintown Fitch (27-7), Lake Catholic (36-0), Columbus Bishop Watterson (35-34), Boardman (34-19), and Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (27-7). All of which are either traditional juggernauts and/or schools with significantly larger enrollments.
Senior Ursuline linebacker Kevin Boudrey (#31) makes a tackle in their season opener against Walsh Jesuit.
However, in 2021, Ursuline finished the season 11-4 and a Division IV state runner-up finish with the same kids that went 2-8 for him as freshmen on varsity. Yet, the conversation surrounding the Fighting Irish’s success often revolves around “how unfair” it is that they are as good as they are in the “smaller divisions.” Not the greatness that Coach Reardon has produced for more than two decades now. People think, “Ursuline can’t win without transfers,” but guess what? Their track record under Reardon speaks, promotes, “recruits” itself. Of course many parents are going to entrust their kids to be under leadership!
Senior D.C. Ferrell IV is a dynamic playmaker for Ursuline.
Now in 2024, the Fighting Irish remain one of the more serious threats in the entire state. After falling just short in a 37-35 shootout with a strong Walsh Jesuit team in week 1, Ursuline has outscored their last three opponents 108 to 16 as they’ve also compiled three consecutive victories. Coming into this season, everybody on their schedule knew that they’d have to keep a close eye on senior D.C. Ferrell IV, who hauled in 56 catches for 838 and seven touchdowns in 2023. Now, he’s the one who is distributing the football as he’s 36-of-51 for 477 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, and just one interception while he's ran for 145 yards & 2 touchdowns on 33 carries. His favorite target has been junior wide receiver Devonte Taylor, who has hauled in 12 receptions for 174 yards & 3 touchdowns. In addition to that, he has also returned a kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown.
To date, junior Ursuline wide receiver Devonte Taylor has official scholarship offers from schools the likes of Indiana, Cincinnati, Temple, East carolina, and Youngstown State.
Defensively, junior linebacker Kevin Boudrey is Ursuline’s leader with 32.0 tackles (18 solo) while John Frangos, A.J. Snyder, Karter Rudsik, and Tizzel White have all recorded sacks for the Fighting Irish. Frangos’ resume also includes a blocked punt and one touchdown. They also defend the pass well as Da’Shaun Will (2), Luke Kollar, Ray Javey, and Todd White have all hauled in interceptions while Ethan Sandusky has also scored on defense.
Senior linebacker John Frangos is one of the leaders for the Ursuline defense.
In the early 2000’s, both Richardson and Reardon served on the coaching staff of former Harding head coach Thom McDaniels. This Friday will mark their first ever head-to-head matchup of his former proteges in their roles as head coaches. With Harding’s emergence, Ursuline’s consistency, and a ton of computer points on the line, this matchup adds suspense to an absolutely loaded slate of football games scheduled for September 20.