The Cardinal Mooney football team already has more state championship banners hanging in the gym than all but 3 other teams in the State of Ohio. On Friday, they have a chance to add yet another and move into 2nd place all-time behind only Cleveland St. Ignatius.
"It would mean everything," stated senior quarterback P.J. Quinn. "Going out victorious in my last game as a high schooler... nothing's better."
"It means everything. It means the world," said senior tailback Roosevelt Griffin. "I mean, it's what I've always wanted since I was a freshman."
Friday marks the eleventh time Mooney's made the state championship game; looking for title number eight. So to say there's a gold standard here would be an understatement, but that's why these kids come here... the pressure to maintain the tradition.
"I love it," Quinn said. "We're expected to be this powerhouse... to be this team. You love it. I love it. I'm glad I came here; best decision I've ever made, and I love being the top dogs every year."
"It's a place we've been to... expect to be to," added Fecko. "I think that our guys understand the expectations are high here and the tradition that we have here, and all the players that come here before, each one of them has set that bar so high, and our guys understand that and come into the season in trying to reach that and build on that."
"if you come to Mooney, the expectation is to go to State and win State," stated Griffin. "not go to State and lose State, but to go win it."
So what does this version of the Cardinals need to do to get a ring?
"Not care," said Griffin. "We just got to go out there like we're absolutely nuts; just let loose every play, and just don't give up."
"We've got to come out from the beginning whistle: fast, physical, Mooney football," added Quinn. "Play Mooney football, and we should be alright."
The Cards kick it off Friday at 3 p.m. with undefeated Springfield Shawnee.
The team buses will leave for Canton from the rear school parking lot at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. Parents, fans, alumni and students are all invited to give the team a memorable send-off.
