by Youngstown, Ohio – The Ursuline Fighting Irish overcame an early 14-0 deficit to defeat visiting Tallmadge, 45-28, Friday evening at Stambaugh Stadium.
The Blue Devils got out to their early lead thanks to the ground game. Senior running back Jackson Dougherty had a 22 yard touchdown run to put Tallmadge up 7-0 halfway through the first.
After a missed field goal from Ursuline, the Blue Devils reached the end zone once again, behind the legs of Dougherty. He went in from ten yards out this time to increase the lead to 14-0. He had ten carries for 57 yards and a pair of scores.
Ursuline drove down the field and got to the one-yard line. However, Tallmadge turned them away and got the ball in the shadow of their own red zone.
A Michael Branch sack put the Fighting Irish on the board in the second quarter. The Irish made another defensive stop, and capitalized when Will Burney took a punt 70 yards to the house.
The ensuing two-point try was good, and Ursuline cut their deficit to 14-10 going to halftime.
It didn’t take long for Ursuline to take the lead.
Junior quarterback Jack Erickson found Will Burney for a 40 yard touchdown toss. This put the Fighting Irish up 17-14 with 8:51 left in the third.
After a punt, Ursuline added to their lead when Erickson found senior wide receiver Marc Manning for a 74 yard touchdown toss. This increased the lead to 24-14. After an onside kick recovery, Christian Lynch added a ten yard rushing touchdown. Lynch had 22 carries for 112 yards and a score.
In the blink of an eye, a 14-10 deficit turned into a 31-10 lead for the Fighting Irish.
After a defensive stop, Marc Manning found pay dirt once again, with a 73 yard touchdown run in the fourth. This increased their lead to 38-10 with 11:01 left.
Tallmadge would find the end zone when senior quarterback Ty Hurst found Collin Dixon for a five-yard touchdown reception with 8:03 left.
Ursuline sophomore athlete DC Ferrell countered with a 30-yard touchdown run of his own to increase the lead to 45-20. Ferrell also had seven catches for 66 yards, and ran for 70. Tallmadge would respond with a Zander Hopkins touchdown run and two-point conversion with 2:53 to play for the final margin.
Jack Erickson went 11 of 15 passing for 168 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Marc Manning had two catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Ursuline moves to 11-1 and advances to the Division III Regional Semifinal to face Canfield.
Tallmadge finishes up their season at 8-4. Ty Hurst went 30 of 34 for 293 yards passing. Wisconsin commit Collin Dixon had 15 catches for 156 yards and a score.
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