Cardinal Mooney football leaning on brotherhood in wake of tragedy
· Yahoo Sports
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) - Cardinal Mooney has faced adversity this season that extends far beyond the football field as the school copes with the loss of a fellow student.
Despite the circumstances, the Cardinals took the field last Friday and came away with a 21-7 victory over Benedictine.
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Head coach Frank Colaprete says the way his team and the entire school community responded meant more than any result on the scoreboard.
"The community's been amazing," says Colaprete. "The entire school, as well as this team, the way they responded was really mature and something that no one at their ages should have to go through. And yet they did. And they did it together. I couldn't be more proud as a coach."
The togetherness and bond of this team has been especially important as players continue supporting each other through a difficult time.
"I think it's just always helping each other out," quarterback Vince Gentile said. "Always help your brother in need and just build off each other. Just getting that confidence and making sure everybody else is okay."
The Cardinals are back on the practice field this week, where Warren G. Harding is now the focus.
"Warren Harding, it's going to be a good old-school Steel Valley type game," said Colaprete. "They are physical. They're big. They're athletic. They're fast. They kind of present problems at every level."
"They're going to come up and hit," says Gentile. "Just play our game though, play Mooney football. Definitely establish the run first. Make the defenses feel us and then hit them over the top."
Cardinal Mooney will welcome Warren G. Harding to Stambaugh Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday night.
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