Week 5- Youngstown Ursuline (2-2) @ Warren G. Harding (2-2)
Despite the tough 44-37 loss to Massillon Jackson this past Friday night, Warren G. Harding has a lot to build on as they approach the bottom half of their schedule. While it may not be exactly by the right side of history that they’d want to be on, their 471 yards worth of total offense is the school record for the most that they’ve ever had in a loss. In fact, senior quarterback James Jones completed 15 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns, all of which are career-highs, while classmate and Central Michigan University commit Matt Richardson became the first Harding player in history to eclipse 150+ receiving yards in two different games, not to mention that he’s now done it in back-to-back contests (154 in week 3 & 153 in week 4).
Harding senior quarterback James Jones throws a quick screen to classmate Matt Richardson, who darts down the sideline for a 68-yard touchdown against Massillon Jackson on 09/11/2026.
On top of that, senior Asa Coleman hauled in a 24-yard touchdown catch for the first score of his career.
Jones throwing a 24-yard touchdown pass to fellow senior Asa Coleman against Massillon Jackson on 09/11/2026.
Meanwhile, Harding head football coach, the elder Matt Richardson, had already been pleased about the continuous development of junior tailback Makhai Brogdon. That excitement was enhanced by his career-high 219 rushing yards and pair of touchdowns on 20 carries. For the season, he now has 71 carries for 481 yards and five touchdowns. To date, he now has 831 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 129 carries in his still-young career.
Warren G. Harding junior Makhai Brogdon explodes down the left sife of the field for a 76-yard touchdown run against Massillon Jackson on 09/11/2026.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, they made a couple more mistakes than Jackson did. The Polar Bears used a unique, fast-paced offense and deceptive play calling to keep Harding off-balanced defensively as their 513 yards worth of total offense outpaced the Raiders’ aforementioned 471. That said, Harding’s last 10 quarters of football have produced 91 points. In fact, last night marked the first time that they’ve eclipsed 30+ points in back-to-back games since 2024. Again, while you want these efforts to result in winning, it illustrates that the Raiders are trending in the right direction offensively. They’ll look to continue that trend against a longtime rival that they haven’t played in a couple of seasons.
Warren G. Harding junior cornerback Elias Johnson hauls in an interception late in the first half against Jackson on 09/11/2026.
This time last year, the football program at Youngstown Ursuline was consumed by an internal issue that ultimately cancelled the final eight games of their season. Thankfully, this fall has allowed them get back into a state of normalcy as they enter the midway point of the season with a 2-2 record under the leadership of interim head football coach Tony Stephens.
The Fighting Irish have received contributions from two different quarterbacks in junior Ethan Sandusky and sophomore Patrick Reardon. Their biggest weapon on the outside is senior Ray Javey, who has proven that he can produce against the best of the best. That’s exactly what he did in week 3 against Columbus Bishop Watterson when he hauled in six receptions for 129 yards and a 25-yard touchdown catch.
Ursuline sophmore quarterback Patrick Reardon finds senior Ray Javey for a 25-yard touchdown pass against Columbus Bishop Watterson on 09/05/2026.
Ursuline’s ground attack will be headed by senior tailback Vinnie Fecko. To date, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound workhorse has 360 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Last week against the Youngstown Defenders, he compiled 116 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on 24 carries. Look for Zalin Strother and Ethan Sanducky to get their share of carries as well.
Ursuline tailback Vinnie Fecko carries the ball into the end zone from five yards out against Youngstown High School on 09/11/2026.
Defensively, Fecko (3.0), Javey (3.0), Reardon, Rahfael Pacheco, Clemate Franklin, Tyrie Humphrey, and Dale Peterman Jr. have all recorded sacks while junior defensive back John Hanuscak has hauled in an interception for Ursuline.
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