Ursuline fights off stunning comeback attempt from VASJ

Editor’s note: This story corrects an error in next week’s matchup. We regret the error.

MARLINGTON, Ohio (WKBN) – #1 seeded Ursuline survived a late rally from #5 Villa Angela-St. Joseph Friday night, 27-20, in a wild game that featured not one, but two 99-yard touchdowns.

Ursuline’s Jack Ericson threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to give Ursuline a 27-0 lead in the fourth quarter, appearing to put the game away. But the Vikings would not go down without a fight, scoring three touchdowns in four minutes of game time, the last score a 99-yard touchdown of their own.

The Irish would get the ball back and eventually run out the clock to seal their place in the next round.

Ursuline advances in the Division III, Region 9 Playoffs to face Chardon who defeated Aurora 31-7.

VASJ finishes the season with a record of 9-4 while Ursuline’s perfect record remains intact, 13-0.

Ericson would finish the game with two touchdown passes on the night.

Joe Balog got the Irish on the board with a touchdown run in the first quarter. The 14-yard score would be the only points of the first half as Ursuline took a 6-0 lead into the locker room.

Midway through the third quarter, a John Frangos touchdown reception from Ericson extended the Ursuline lead to 13-0.

The Irish closed out the third quarter with a 20-0 lead following a Ty-Req Donlow touchdown run.

Early in the fourth quarter, a Jy’Quise Liason interception stopped a Vikings touchdown threat, but left Ursuline with the ball at their own one-yard line. That’s when Ericson connected with Taylor for a 99-yard touchdown pass before VASJ began their rally that fell just short.

This was a rematch from the regular season when Ursuline defeated VASJ in week eight. Ursuline defeated defending state-champion Canfield last week.