Central, Madonna renew rivalry
5-0 Crusaders travel across the river to test the 2-1 Dons
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WEIRTON -- Unbeaten and now state-ranked Catholic Central opens the second half of the 2023 season Saturday looking to snap a three-year losing streak.
The 5-0 Crusaders are ranked 16th in this week's Ohio AP Division VII poll and occupy the sixth spot in the Region 25 computer standings. They'll head across the river to test rival Madonna, which is 2-1 and coming off its bye week. The Blue Dons are 17th in the WVSSAC Class A playoff ratings.
The opening kick for the 24th all-time meeting between the schools is set for 7 p.m. inside Jimmy Carey Stadium. Central holds a 13-9-1 series lead but Madonna has won the last three encounters, including a 29-14 victory in 2022.
"It was a close game that came down to the end," first-year Madonna coach said about last season's contest. "It usually is a close game. We are very similar schools--the river separates us but there are similar philosophies at the schools. The kids know each other and that makes for a good game.
"We're looking forward to playing a big game at home. It's the game of the week on Saturday night, it's going to be on TV and the radio. We're looking for a big crowd. It's a rivalry game and it's going to be a special night."
In its last outing, Central had to come from behind twice to earn a hard-fought 15-9 road victory over Fairport Harbor Harding.
The Skippers were up 6-0 at the half. The Crusaders made it 7-6 in the third quarter thanks to a 3-yard Tyler Ialenti touchdown run and Daniel Bolster's conversion kick. Fairport went up 9-7 on a field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
Central, however, got the winning points on a 2-yard Ialenti plunge with 1:58 to play. The talented senior quarterback then ran for the 2-point conversion.
"I feel our defense played an unbelievable game," Central coach Eric Meek said about the win at Fairport. "We bent at times but we did not break. We held them to a touchdown and a field goal. I was proud of our defensive effort. Fairport is an athletic team with outstanding speed. We were able to keep them in front of us most the night.
"Offensively, it was a tale of two halves. In the first half, we had five turnovers (four interceptions and a fumble). When you have five turnovers in a half, you're obviously not going to score many points."
On its first touchdown drive, which came on Central's second possession of the third quarter, Tommy Pergi ripped off a 16yard run and Ialenti turned a fourth and four run into a first down.
"We had trouble moving the ball on the ground in the first half," Meek said. "Fairport's speed up front really presented problems for us. Once we got to the locker room, we were able to get things settled down. We explained a few things to our kids regarding splits. We definitely had some miscommunications in the first half. In the second half, our offense played much better. We controlled the ball on the ground.
"I can't ever remember coaching in a game where our team had six turnovers and we won the game. Our kids did not quit--they played hard to the end and I am proud of them for that. To get to 5-0 after a two and a half hour bus trip on a school day, that's a tough thing to do and our kids did very with that.
"Our winning drive was all done on the ground basically. We really, really turned things around on the ground in the second half. Fairport's defense was very fast. Going in, our game plan was to run the ball. I feel like at times since we did not have success, I kind of got away from the game plane and that was on me. Tyler busted one up the sideline on the last drive. We ran the ball last 35 yards. I really feel we controlled the clock in the second half. Obviously, we did not do that in the first half."
Madonna began its season with a 32-0 shutout of Wellsville on the road (Central topped the Tigers 37- 6 in its opener) then whipped Hancock, Md. 49-8. The Dons fell at Toronto 47-13.
"It was very good, we got some issues we had corrected," Fetty said about the bye week. "Hopefully, that will carry over into the Steubenville Central game."
Fetty called Central "a very good football team."
"They are well disciplined and they're going to run the ball," he said. "Coach Meek does a great job. He's a veteran coach in the valley. They are a very talented team with a big line and a very talented quarterback. It's going to be big task for us.
Ialenti carried the ball 33 times against Fairport, finishing with 123 yards. For the season, the Central signal caller has compiled 445 rushing yards on 80 attempts and scored six times. B.J. Fallon has 310 yards on 48 tries with five scores and Pergi has turned his 32 carries into 309 yards. He has a pair of six-pointers.
"They have controlled every game they've been in, even though they were down for a while against Fairport, they were controlling the game," Fetty said. "They run the ball and they use their physical defense and running game to wear you down. I think they've done that to every team they have played so far.
"Defensively, they fly around, switch things up and use different fronts. They have a very talented kid in No. 72 (Peyton Rauch). They have very good linebackers and they are not afraid to play man and bring some blitzes. They are very similar to us on defense. It's going to come down to who blocks and tackles and makes the least amount of mistakes."
Quarterback Chase Littleton directs the Blue Don attack. In three games, he has thrown for 425 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has added 174 yards on the ground and four scores. Luca Muzzi is averaging 6.6 yards per carry and scored four times. Koleton Grishkevich is Littleton's favorite target with 11 catches for 178 yards and three six-pointers.
Madonna has shown balance offensively -- passing for 424 and running for 384 yards.
"They are very big and athletic," Meek said when discussing the Blue Dons. "They are coming off an open week so I am sure they have been focused on us for two weeks. Madonna is a very good football team and presents a lot of issues. Their quarterback is good. You have to be careful with him--he can tuck it and run and that is very concerning. He is a very good athlete.
"They have outstanding receivers, a bunch of athletic kids and their line is big. We will have our hands full. We have to play our style of football and we are planning to get back to throwing the ball like we did earlier in the year. We probably have to spread it out a little and hopefully we can come out of Jimmy Carey Stadium with another victory."
As far as keys to victory go, Meek was quick to say:
"We need to be more physical than Madonna. We have to keep all of their skill in front of us. We have to win the turnover margin and be strong on special teams. Madonna is an athletic team, so their special teams can be deadly.
"We need to keep getting better. We have a tough hurdle to jump Saturday but I believe in our kids. I am hoping we can come back across the bridge very happy."
Fetty believes his Blue Dons need to establish the run.
"We have to run the ball to open up our passing game. We have to be able to take what they give us. If they give us some space, we have to be able to take advantage of our opportunities."
(Sports editor Andrew Grimm contributed to this report)