Regional champs collide in Game of the Week season opener

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The high school football season kicks off with Thursday’s clash amongst perennial powerhouses as Ursuline (13-1) plays host to Walsh Jesuit (12-2) on WKBN’s Game of the Week.

Last season, both teams reached their respective regional championship game. In Division 2 Region 5, the Warriors came up short against Hoban (30-6) as Ursuline was eliminated from the Division 3 Region 9 final by Chardon (31-14).

Who will get off to a strong start this year? Watch the entire game on MyYTV or WKBN.com to find out.

High School Football Game of the Week
August 23, 2024, at 7 pm (Live on MyYTV and WKBN.com)
Walsh Jesuit at Ursuline

Last 2 Meetings
Aug. 29, 2014 – Ursuline 13-9
Aug. 30, 2013 – Ursuline, 27-24

Last Meeting
Kimauni Johnson rushed 13 yards in the second quarter to post the Irish’s first score of the game. Vito Penza ran in a one-yard touchdown run in the second half to put Ursuline up for good as the Fighting Irish won, 13-9, in 2014.

2023 Team Statistics
Scoring Offense: Walsh Jesuit, 40.1; Ursuline, 35.4
Scoring Defense: Ursuline, 15.0; Walsh Jesuit, 22.1

Game Notes
-Dan Reardon’s Ursuline Irish football teams have compiled a 34-8 mark over the span of the last three seasons. In the history of Ursuline football, they’ve accomplished four consecutive double-digit win seasons once (2007-10). This season, they’ll seek its second time in school history as they’ve won three straight from 2021-23.

-A year ago, Ursuline’s offense compiled 2,596 yards passing and another 2,794 yards on the ground to average 385 yards per outing as the Irish finished 13-1.

-During the playoff era, the Fighting Irish have finished the regular season with an undefeated record three times (2008, 2010, 2023).

-Walsh Jesuit put together a 2023 season that saw the Warriors reach the Regional Final and win 12 games. The win total was the most since 1999 when the team won the Division II state title with 13 victories.

-Coach Nicholas Alexander is entering his 6th season at the helm of the Warrior program. In his initial 2019 season, Walsh Jesuit finished 1-9. Since then, they’ve accumulated a winning percentage of 78.7% (37-10).

-Ursuline has won four state championships (2000, 2008, 2009, 2010) compared to Walsh Jesuit’s one state title in 1999.

-Beginning 2026, the Ohio Catholic Athletic Conference (OCAC) will feature Ursuline and Cardinal Mooney as well as Walsh Jesuit, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Villa Angela-St. Joe’s as well as Bishop Hartley, Bishop Watterson and St. Francis DeSales.

Upcoming Schedule
Walsh Jesuit
Aug. 30 – at McDowell
Sept. 6 – St. Vincent-St. Mary
Sept. 13 – St. Ignatius

Ursuline
Aug. 30 – at Bishop Hartley
Sept. 6 – at Farrell
Sept. 13 – East

Get updated high school football scores throughout the season on the WKBN scores page .

Track the latest conference battles on the WKBN high school football standings page.

You can also watch interviews and get player profiles from some of the best players in the Valley by visiting the WKBN Big 22 page .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.