Correspondent photo / Michael G. Taylor Cardinal Mooney running back Ike Lake (5) breaks free from a tackle attempt for a first down during Friday’s Division V regional final against Girard at South Range.

BEAVER TOWNSHIP — Friday’s all-Mahoning Valley Division V regional final matchup between Cardinal Mooney and Girard was a battle of area heavyweights, but the Cardinals overpowered Girard en route to a 48-14 win. It marked Mooney’s 18th regional title, and first since 2013.

In his first season with the team, Mooney coach Frank Colaprete gets to coach Thanksgiving week.

“It’s truly exciting,” Colaprete said. “Being around this long means it’s just all good teams left, and to be one of the teams that are able to go on … Thanksgiving weekend is pretty special. We’re blessed.”

The Cardinals (10-2) quickly drove down the field on their first possession, culminating in a 1-yard rush from Rocco Zabel at the goal line, to give Mooney an early lead.

A well-placed punt on the Cardinals’ next possession led to another score later on in the first.

Trapping Girard inside the 5, Mooney forced an Indians punt, setting the Cardinals up with excellent field position. Mooney went to the ground again, this time to junior Brady Desmond, who leapt into the end zone on an 8-yard score to give the Cardinals a two-score lead.

But Girard had something up its sleeve.

The Indians’ pass game started gaining momentum as sophomore quarterback AJ Pearson started getting more comfortable.

Girard worked its way down the field, getting on the board after a 15-yard pass from Pearson to Joey Alejars.

Mooney responded with Vince Gentile connecting with Mike Schiraldi on a 30-yard strike to re-extend that lead.

The Cardinals nearly stalled out the Indians at the goal line on the ensuing drive, but Pearson, as he was being hit, lobbed the ball up and it landed in the hands of a diving Braxton Sloan, who came up with the catch in the end zone.

Anytime the Indians got any sort of momentum, Mooney didn’t shut down, they buckled down and responded.

“Our mental toughness is great,” Colaprete said. “We play the next play. They didn’t get down. When bad things happen, we shake it off and play the next play, and that’s what I couldn’t be more proud of.”

The Cardinals responded again, with Desmond rushing in from 4 yards out. Mooney kicked a pair of 35-yard field goals on back-to-back possessions before halftime, after forcing a Girard fumble on the kickoff. A 28-14 lead quickly became a 34-14 lead.

The second half began the same way the first half ended, with Mooney scoring.

Gentile found Tony Jackson in the corner of the end zone to further extend the Cardinals’ lead to 41-14.

Desmond capped the game off, bulldozing his way into the end zone from 3 yards out.

The loss ends Girard’s season at 12-1, the first time the Indians won 12 games since its state-title run in 2018. Despite the final score, Girard coach Pat Pearson didn’t want that to damper what was an outstanding season.

“Tonight wasn’t our night. Obviously, it’s a great team. Hats off to them. I hope they go win the whole thing,” Pearson said. “One bad game doesn’t ruin an unbelievable season for these kids. Proud of our team. I’m proud of our fight. Even tonight, we almost got back in that thing, but it just wasn’t our night. I love these seniors. They were unbelievable.

“I love this team. I love this community. Came out supported tonight. It was an unreal, unreal atmosphere again for the fifth straight week in a row. We’re sad it came to an end, but I told them it was gonna end in tears one way or another. I’m just super proud of these guys.”

Mooney will take on Wheelersville in the state semifinals next week at a location and time to be determined.