YOUNGSTOWN — Back-to-back 35-0 victories over Warren Harding and previously unbeaten Austintown Fitch have given the Ursuline Fighting Irish an impressive 5-1 record after six weeks of the season.

The Irish fans were rocking, at Youngstown State University, when Ursuline got the ball first on Friday. After a nice drive, they attempted a 20-yard field goal but it was blocked by Fitch senior Deonte Stallings.

Ursuline (5-1) forced the Falcons to punt, and the Irish went ahead 7-0 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 59-yard touchdown pass from DC Ferrell to Devonte Taylor.

Each team’s defenses forced multiple turnovers on downs, and Fitch senior Rocco DiFlorio ended one of Ursuline’s drives with a tackle for a loss.

The Falcons (5-1) put together a good drive after a run up the middle by senior Jerome Miller. Then, they attempted a 47-yard field goal that missed by banging off of the right upright.

The Irish went up 14-0 after some big chunk gains by Marquaias Patterson and Ray Javey through the air. Taylor finished the drive with a 7-yard TD catch in the corner of the end zone.

The Falcons had a chance to put points on the board before halftime. Fitch came up 1 yard short on a third and 15. Then, they attempted a 35-yard field but it missed wide right.

Ursuline forced the Falcons to punt away the opening possession of the second half, and the Irish made it 21-0 after a 1-yard QB keeper by Ferrell.

Senior Da’shaun Will intercepted the ball for the Irish, and Ferrell made it 28-0 with a 7-yard touchdown run.

After a narrow 37-35 loss to undefeated Walsh Jesuit in the opening week of the season, the Irish have outscored their opponents 178-16 during their five-game winning streak.

“We were a good defensive team last season,” Ursuline coach Dan Reardon said. “I think we’re even better this season.”

Ursuline recovered an onside kick, and the Irish scored the final touchdown of the game on a spectacular 43-yard touchdown catch by Taylor. Taylor reached around the defender to haul in a highlight reel score.

“Man, that was something else,” Reardon said. “He is such a good football player. We see stuff like that in practice almost on a daily basis. We’ve grown accustomed to it. He’s such a talented young man. He has a ton of upside. The sky’s the limit for that kid.”