D6 Sports Network Twenty Greatest Teams of the 2000's. #7

7. 2001 Bishop McCort


The Scoop-The 2001 Bishop McCort team finally broke through an achieved post season success. The Crushers made their way to the Western Final an went 11-3 along the way. The Crushers played in some memorable games, and played very under pressure.  The offense for the Crushers started with their senior Quarterback, Joe Arcurio. Arcurio had the size and moxie to lead a Championship squad.  He lead the area in passing his Senior season. He had weapons all over the field, Pat Schrey and Ryan Regula provided great targets.  Ray Forgas and Mike Gehlmann led a host of talented backs that shared the duty.   The Crimson Crusher's line that year was massive led by the Delich twins and Anthony Rizzo.  The Defense headed by Rizzo and two Junior Linebackers, Oreskovitch and Hockyco was also stout. The Crushers posted a 7-2 regular season campaign.  The Huskies defeated McCort, and McCort went on to lose in perhaps the biggest upset in D6 History to Central-Martinsburg.  That loss changed the tide as the Crushers won five straight. They defeated Bellwood-Antis 21-14 in the District Six Championship. The Crushers won another tight game over Sharon in the state quarter-finals.  The Crushers dropped a 42-21 contest to Washington in the Western Final.

The Stars-Joe Arcurio went on to attend Slippery Rock for Football, but later came to UPJ for baseball.  Matt Domonkos was the lone representative for McCort on the All State teams as a Kicker and earned a scholarship at Wisconsin. Andrew Hawkins was just a Sophomore, but he went on to play at Toledo, and now is with the Cincinnati Bengals.  Ryan Regula went on to walk-on at Pitt. This team had size and they were a complete and balanced team across the board.


The Argument-I will not lie, it is getting really tough as we enter the best of the best. 2001 Bishop McCort is a team revered very highly in Bishop McCort circles. They are arguably the best McCort team of the modern era. They had it all as a team. They had a balanced offense, and stingy defense, and great special teams. They did lose to a Central team that was very bad, and lost to Bishop Carroll as well.  Washington was a very good team that year and basically forced a running clock on almost everyone they played.   McCort stuck around with those guys.  This was a real tough call. I could see this team anywhere in the next two or three spots.  Let the Debate begin.