Under the direction of interim head coach Carl Pelini, Div. V Cardinal Mooney High School’s football team opens-up the season on Fri., Aug. 28 against Reno Saccocci’s Steubenville Big Red at Stambaugh Stadium. Saccocia has been Big Red head coach for some 36 years.
      Mooney and the Big Red have faced each other nine times, all in playoff action. The Cards hold a 7-2 advantage over Steubenville. The two teams last faced each other in 2017, with the Big Red mounting a 19-14 victory.
      Pelini and the Cards will head onto the field looking to better back-to-back 4-6 seasons.
      Last season’s losses included a doubel-overtime game to Lousville, that Mooney lost, 20-14.
      In game game, the Cardinal offense was led by sophomore tailback Ze’yere Rogers, who posted his second straight 200-yard game (227 yards). On one Cardinal 75-year scoring drive, Rogers lugged the ball nine times for 72 yards, including a 3-yard TD run. (The previous week Rogers had 200 yards in a Mooney 38-13 win over Youngstown East).
      On the season last year, Rogers carried the ball 203 times, running for 1,160 yards and seven thouchdowns.
      Back at quarterback is expected to be senior Pat Guerrieri, who sat out the latter portion of last season with an injury.
      Guerrieri, who also plays safety, posted 559 total yards of offense last year, rushing for 222 yards and passing for 337 yards.
      The ‘Bison’ on the Mooney front line could be 6-2, 325-lbs. Kerri Hewlett. Also featured will be Carl Farina, 6-0. 230 lbs.; and Will Skretta, 225 lbs, All are seniors.
      Expected to see action at fullback and linebacker is 6-1, 230-lbs. Mike Pastella, another senior, who had eight catches last season. Back for his senior season is 6-2, 180-lbs. senior Danny Lyons, who could see action on both sides of the ball at an end position.
      Due to rescheduling because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mooney loses previously scheduled games against Akron Archbishop Hoban, Pittsburgh Carrick, Akron St. Vincent- St. Mary and Austintown Fitch.
      Following their season opener, the Cardinals square-off against Warren G. Harding on Fri., Sept. 4 at Mollenkopf Stadium.
      CARDINAL MOONEY
      2020 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
      Aug. 28: Steubebville Big Red....YSU
      Sept. 4: Warren G. Harding....away
      Sept. 11: Youngstown East....YSU
      Sept. 19: Youngstown Chaney....YSU
      Sept. 25: Boardman....away
      Oct. 2: Ursuline....YSU
      Oct. 9: Playoffs....TBD