Staff file photo / Greg Macafee
Ursuline quarterback Jack Ericson throws a touchdown pass against Brookfield last season.
YOUNGSTOWN — Since Dan Reardon returned to Ursuline for his second stint with the program in 2019, the Fighting Irish have been synonymous with one thing every season — offense.
With all the skill the team returns this season, that looks to, yet again, remain the case, especially with senior Jack Ericson back to reprise his role as Ursuline’s quarterback.
In his first season as the starter last year, Ericson completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,715 yards and 13 touchdowns, to go with 116 carries for 445 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
However, this season Ursuline is replacing five starters on the offensive line.
Ericson isn’t worried though. He’s confident that the Irish won’t miss a beat.
“It’s never changed in my four years here — every year we reload, every year there’s something that we lost — skill positions, a quarterback or a receiver,” Ericson said. “This year, everyone’s saying, ‘oh they lost their line,’ but we don’t look at it like that. We just look at it as next man up, let’s go win football games.”
To help ease the transition and burden on the new linemen, Reardon is expecting Ericson to lead the way.
“Last year, it was our veteran O-line that was protecting a brand new quarterback and in some ways, that made it easier on the new guys,” Reardon said. “This year, our experienced quarterback has to make good decisions and get the ball out on time to protect the young guys up front as they’re earning reps and playing time and all those things.”
Reardon is looking for the same from returning running back Christian Lynch, who has set a high goal of rushing for 2,000 yards this year after running for more than 1,800 last season.
“This year, (Lynch) is the veteran player — he needs to make those guys good,” Reardon said. “Last year (the offensive linemen) were the veterans and they needed to play well as Christian was learning.”
While Ericson said there have been some “growing pains” in practice as the offensive line builds reps and gets up to speed, he added that he’s embraced the leadership role expected of him and he’s up to the task.
“There were (growing pains) last year with the skill guys,” Ericson said. “Everyone in their first year starting, they’re going to have their off days, their on days, their bad days and good days. It’s really just about staying on them, repping everything we can with the offensive line coaches and just getting extra reps, extra snaps or just extra plays.”
In addition to expanding his leadership on offense this season, Ericson feels his skillset as a quarterback has improved, as well.
“I’ve definitely gotten stronger and with strength, comes confidence,” Ericson said. “I feel like this year, (offensive coordinator) Coach (John DeSantis), isn’t going to have to hold anything back in the playbook throwing wise because I feel like my arsenal as a quarterback in the throwing game has just gotten a lot stronger because I’ve gotten stronger. I feel like just about any throw on the field, I can make. Whatever position I’m put in, I feel like I would react well to it.”
Ursuline will really be throwing those new offensive linemen into the fire early on, since Ericson and the Irish open their season Thursday night against perennial powerhouse Steubenville at Stambaugh Stadium at 7 p.m.
“Week one, it all happens,” Ericson said. “We won’t know what (the offensive line) has until it’s (Thursday) night. We’ll evaluate from there and just grow as we grow.”
nmadhavan@tribtoday.com