Football
It’s Saint Ignatius versus Glenville. Here we go again!
Kevin Hopkins is honored as the Wildcats’ fourth captain.
By Eddie Dwyer
Although it didn’t take a center stage until 2003, the Saint Ignatius-Glenville football rivalry has become, in the words of Wildcats senior defensive linemen Pat Dowd and Gerry Ramella, “a special game.’’
After four consecutive nail-biting losses to the Tarblooders, including three in the regional playoffs, Saint Ignatius came up with some special moments of its own and turned back Glenville, 8-7, in last year’s Division I, Region 1 semifinal at Lakewood Stadium.
A will-testing effort by the defense, some timely special-teams play, a memorable diving catch by wide receiver Connor Ryan ’09 and the reliable leg of place kicker Seamus Hennessey ’09 enabled the Wildcats to avenge a three-point, regular-season setback to the Tarblooders. The dramatic one-point victory was part of Saint Ignatius’ record 10th state-championship season.
As was the case last year, the Wildcats and the Tarblooders are ranked 1-2, respectively, in The Plain Dealer’s seven-county preseason Top 25 poll. And, just like August of 2008, the perennial city powers, which are less than 10 miles apart, are squaring off during the opening weekend of the season.
In front of what is expected to be another large and enthusiastic crowd in Parma’s Byers Field, Glenville and Saint Ignatius will kickoff their 2009 seasons on Saturday night at 7 p.m. SportsTime Ohio will televise the game on a delayed basis at 11 p.m., and it will be aired live over the Web by the Wildcats’ knowledgeable and enthusiastic Broadcasting Club.
The Tarblooders enter the game ranked fifth in the initial National Prep Poll for 2009. Saint Ignatius, which will take a 14-game winning streak into Saturday’s action, was ranked 29th in the same poll. Since 2003, when the Wildcats prevailed, 24-21, in a regional quarterfinal, the Saint Ignatius-Glenville series stands at 4-2 in favor of the Tarblooders.
“Glenville always has a lot of heart,’’ said Dowd, one of Coach Chuck Kyle’s four captains for this season. “Of course, they’re always one of the most talented teams in the area. But they also play hard-nosed football for the entire game.’’
Dowd, who, when called upon, can also double as an offensive lineman, points to the Tarblooders’ vaunted running game, athleticism at quarterback and exceptional skill and speed at the wideout positions. He looks upon the Wildcats’ ability to contain the running and put together a consistent pass rush as being crucial on Saturday night.
“I don’t know how it started (the Saint Ignatius-Glenville rivalry), but one day we both realized that we’re the best in our area,’’ Dowd said. “And it’s probably going to be that way for a long time.
“It is two different types of football,’’ Dowd continued. “They have the athleticism and we’re always known for our technique and stuff like that. It is a game that brings out the best in both teams, a real physical game with an atmosphere that is a lot of fun to play in.’’
Ramella, whose brother, Jim, was an all-state and Plain Dealer All-Star defensive lineman on the 2004 Saint Ignatius team that lost a hard-fought regional final to Glenville, said the Tarblooders’ speed, size and strength makes them “like no other team you play.’’
“Lining up against them last year it was like, woe!’’ Ramella said of Coach Ted Ginn Sr.’s large and imposing offensive linemen. “They’re good kids; they’re fun to play against. We do some talking to each other on the field, nothing bad or anything, but yeah, they’re good kids.’’
Graduation definitely took its toll in the Wildcats’ defensive secondary and at the wide receiver positions. That said, Ramella, who was involved in 48 tackles last season, including 23 solos, five sacks and 12 other tackles for losses, sees things beginning to mesh for the 2009 ‘Cats.
“Coming into the season, there were definitely a lot of questions,’’ Ramella said. “We knew who was going to play, but we weren’t sure how they were going to play. But through the preseason, we definitely have seen the new players grow and mature.’’
While the steady maturity and development Ramella referred to have always been evident in Chuck Kyle’s teams, the man who has begun his 27th season as the head football coach at his alma mater put the emphasis on one word while discussing another meeting with his friend, Coach Ginn Sr. – “matchups.’’
“Certainly there’s a concern about matchups,’’ Coach Kyle said. “People always talk about matchups, and can this guy matchup with that guy? Glenville, within its offense, does a good job of spreading people out with various formations. And there comes a point where somebody is going to be matched up one on one with their guy. And there are some concerns with that.
“That’s part of what Glenville will want to do (Saturday night) and will want to do all season with every team they play,’’ continued Kyle. “So hopefully we can get help where help is needed – certain keys that we can get from patterns, where the free safety can help with who the primary receiver is. And maybe the safety cheats a little bit and helps us out there.’’
That “help’’ and pressure on the quarterback fueled by All-Ohio senior linebacker Scott McVey, senior linebacker Jake Ryan, Ramella and Dowd is what Coach Kyle is counting on defensively.
“People talk about Glenville’s skills in its offense,’’ said Kyle, who has 262 career victories, including a 55-11 mark in the playoffs, and has guided his ‘Cats to a state-best 21 consecutive playoff appearances. “But defensively, they’re hard to score on because they’re big, they’re strong. You create a seam, but their linebackers and secondary are so quick, they recover.’’
Offensively, Kyle and his staff will ask standout senior quarterback Mark Myers and Co. to control the football and eat some clock. The Wildcats will also look to play a field-position game, where they call on big-game tested senior kicker Jesse Franklin and the punting of Myers.
“To me, the real problem with a first game (of this magnitude) is that neither team is peaking right now technique-wise,’’ Kyle said, as he was running his Wildcats through Tuesday afternoon’s practice. “They have some guys who didn’t start last year, and we do to. We’re not at a playoff caliber yet in terms of technique.
“At this time of the year last season we weren’t a state-championship team, technique-wise. But by the end of the year we were, because we kept working.’’
HOPKINS IS NO. 4: Congratulations go out to gritty senior safety and special-teams standout Kevin Hopkins, who this week was selected as Coach Kyle’s fourth and final captain for 2009. Hopkins, who also is a mainstay for Coach Brad Ganor’s perennial state-contending baseball program, joins McVey, Dowd and senior defensive back/wide receiver Anthony Luvison as the Wildcats’ on- and off-the-field leaders.
Glenville versus Saint Ignatius varsity football recap.
Story posted on 8/30/09 at 2:57 a.m.
WILDCATS CALL ON ANOTHER WILL TO WIN.
Russo’s clutch punt, Myers’ TD strike to Gillissie, Franklin’s extra point and relentless defensive pressure down the stretch show the way in another dramatic victory over Glenville.
Victory vaults 'Cats from 29th to 11th in the latest National Prep Poll.
By Eddie Dwyer
As he stood outside the Wildcats’ locker room late Saturday night, Saint Ignatius’ gifted senior Kory Gillissie relished a moment most high school athletes can only dream about.
Gillissie, wearing a smile that would have lit up Parma’s Byers Field, yelled, “Oh yeah, definitely,’’ when asked if it was the biggest catch of his young athletic career.
The catch, a diving effort in the back of the end zone off an outstanding, across-the-body throw under pressure by standout senior southpaw quarterback Mark Myers, and the ensuing extra-point kick by senior Jesse Franklin were the final points in a 14-13, heart-pounding victory over the talent-laden Glenville Tarblooders.
The decisive pass, catch and kick came with 2:06 remaining and, after Franklin sent the ensuing kickoff into the end zone, the Tarblooders, pinned deep in their territory, couldn’t cope with a Saint Ignatius pass rush that was fueled by seniors Tom Krukemeyer, Cameron Ventling and Gerry Ramella. The dramatic victory was put on ice when junior linebacker Tyler Kette reacted quickly and broke up a fourth-down pass across the middle.
In an opening-weekend game that matched the area’s No. 1 (the Wildcats) and No. 2 teams, another large and enthusiastic crowd packed Byers Field. And, the majority of that crowd rose to its feet as Myers took the snap on a fourth-and-9 from the Tarblooders’ 16-yard line.
Rolling away from Glenville’s relentless pressure, Myers stepped forward and whistled a strike to Gillissie, who got behind the coverage and provided his quarterback with what Wildcats Coach Chuck Kyle ’69 described as a second or third option on the play call.
“Once I cut it behind the safety, I saw Mark step up a little bit, I saw the ball coming and I knew, just catch the ball,’’ said Gillissie, who is better known for his prowess as a defensive back and a special-teams player. “Just get it in (my hands), that’s all I had to do.
“It’s like Coach Kyle always says. A football is in a weird shape for a reason. It bounces all different ways. And it bounced our way tonight.’’
Coach Kyle, who watched his Wildcats win their 15th consecutive game, a mark that dates back to last season’s record 10th Division I state championship, was quick to point out the effort of a young man who was called on in a crucial situation – backup punter Peter Russo.
After Myers, the regular punter, was shaken up a bit, Saint Ignatius was forced to punt from deep in its territory. Kyle called on Russo and the 6-foot-1, 150-pound junior stepped up with a 57-yard kick that was downed at the Glenville 27 with 4:30 left.
Losing yards against a defensive charge sparked by Wildcats senior linebacker Jake Ryan and Ventling, and committing some crucial penalties, the Tarblooders were faced with a punting situation from their end zone. Glenville Coach Ted Ginn Sr. also had to call on his second punter (junior quarterback Cardale Jones) after senior Christian Bryant, the Tarblooders’ “Mr. Everything,’’ was injured and helped from the field with just over three minutes to go.
With Saint Ignatius sending the house, Jones barley got off a shank punt that went out of bounds at the Glenville 17 and set the stage for the Myers-to-Gillissie tension toss.
“Every year, it just goes like this, great competition,’’ said the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Myers, referring to the Wildcats’ past seven meetings with the Tarblooders, which included an 8-7 triumph by Saint Ignatius in last season’s regional semifinals. Glenville had defeated the Wildcats, 20-17, in last year’s season opener at Byers Field.
“They’re great guys, a great team,’’ Myers said of the Tarblooders, who entered Saturday’s game ranked fifth in the National Prep Football Poll. “It really is a great rivalry.’’
Saint Ignatius, which hosts a talented and playoff-rich Clayton Northmont team on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. in Byers Field, had some other bright spots on Saturday night.
There was the impressive inside and outside running of junior tailback Bobby Grebenc, the clutch interception by senior cornerback Kevin Johnson, the steady play of senior “mike’ linebacker Owen Callahan, who came up with a key sack in the first half, and the big-time defensive stop by Ryan, who tackled Bryant inches short of a first down at the Wildcats’ 36 with just over six minutes left.
Grebenc’s hard-nosed runs helped set up the Wildcats’ first touchdown, a 1-yard pass from Myers to All-Ohio senior linebacker/fullback Scott McVey. The TD pass to McVey, which came off Saint Ignatius’ first offensive series, was also a fourth-down play. McVey did not play the final 10:28 after injuring a shoulder during a quarterback pressure.
Although they committed more than 100 yards in penalties, the Tarblooders flashed their credentials on two field goals by Bryant of 37 and 19 yards, and a blocked punt by senior wideout/defensive back Aaron Morris that resulted in a go-ahead touchdown by senior defensive end Chris Harvey with 3:39 remaining in the first half. After Morris came free up the middle for the block, the ball rolled more than 40 yards to the Wildcats’ 1, where Harvey scooped it up and took it into the end zone.
A highlight-film scramble by Bryant, which saw Bryant pick up the loose football, avoid the rush of four defenders and fire a pass 28 yards behind the line of scrimmage that was deflected and caught on the run by junior tailback Robert Walton Jr., set up the 19-yard field goal by Bryant. The 19-yarder made the score 13-7 with slightly more than four minutes left in the third quarter.
“These are great games, aren’t they?’’ said Coach Kyle, who is in his 27th season as the head football coach at his alma mater. “Coach Overton (Tablooders offensive coordinator Tony Overton), I saw him right before the game, and he said, ‘Yeah, it’s probably going to come down to one point.’
“And I’m not changing my story,’’ Kyle continued. “I said before, look, it’s the first game. Whoever wins, that’s good. They’re going to get some computer points. I think last year, if you take a look, the losing team (Saint Ignatius) learned something.
“You play a game like this, you learn a lot. You really do.’’
A TIP OF THE CAP: Congratulations go out to the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Club, Sports Information Department, Athletic Department, Moderator Jeff McCormick '83 and students Michael Watts '11, Jacob Corrigan '10 and Marty O'Malley '10 for the outstanding job they did putting together the Wildcats' 2009 Media Relations Guide for football.
The colorful and information-stacked guide is a keepsake for the Wildcats' faithful and a great service to the newspapers, websites and radio and television stations covering the '09 'Cats.
Gentlemen, take a bow!
Clayton Northmont versus Saint Ignatius varsity football recap.
Story was posted on 9/06/09 at 1:50 a.m.
A TESTAMENT TO CHARACTER AND COMPOSURE
Ryan, Grebenc, Hopkins, Callahan, “K.J.’’ and Sorrell help Coach Kyle’s Wildcats reach from within.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, Sept. 2009
There was no yelling or screaming in Saint Ignatius’ locker room during halftime on Saturday night.
As Wildcats head coach Chuck Kyle ’69 emphasized, “We don’t do that.’’
Instead, Coach Kyle pointed out that there was no need to change a lot of things. What was important, he said, was to do those things right.
Trailing, 20-0, with 5 minutes, 8 seconds remaining in the first half, Saint Ignatius corrected the mistakes that hampered it throughout most of the first 24 minutes and stormed back to defeat a very talented Clayton Northmont team, 27-20, in another tense matchup on Byers Field in Parma’s Robert M. Boulton Stadium.
The Wildcats, who were coming off a dramatic one-point, opening-night victory over perennial power Glenville, solved Northmont’s defense with a 13-play, 78-yard drive in the final moments of the first half. A 13-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Mark Myers to senior wideout Tucker Sorrell and the ensuing extra-point kick by senior Jesse Franklin enabled Saint Ignatius to cut the deficit to 20-7 by halftime. Sorrell, who made several clutch catches in the second half, did an exceptional job of grabbing the throw from Myers and keeping his balance in the right corner of the Day Drive end zone.
“We made so many mistakes (in the first half), lined up wrong some times or messed up a block,’’ Kyle said after his team extended its winning streak to 16 games. “When we just did things right, like the last drive of the first half, we were fine and everybody was settling down.’’
Northmont (1-1), which lost just two games in 2008 – one to defending Division I state champion Saint Ignatius in the regular season and one to Division I state runner-up Cincinnati Elder in the regional playoffs – stunned the Wildcats with the big play in the early going.
The Thunderbolts, who have made four consecutive appearances in the Ohio High School Athletic Association playoffs, and seven in the last eight seasons, scored their first touchdown on a nice catch and run by junior Paul Winkler off a perfectly executed screen pass from junior quarterback Robert Sakosky.
Northmont, which has won seven consecutive Greater Western Ohio Conference divisional titles, pulled off a text-book fake punt in pushing its lead to 13-0. The fake came off a third-and-11 from the ‘Bolts 33-yard line and saw senior defensive back Xavior Johnson run for a first down at the Wildcats’ 39. The fake helped set up a leaping touchdown reception by 6-foot-2, 224-pound junior wideout Josh McClain, who caught the ball between two defenders before coming down with it in the end zone.
Eight seconds later, Saint Ignatius fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Northmont sophomore linebacker Kaleb Ringer scooped up the loose ball and returned it to the Wildcats’ 11, where gifted senior cornerback/wideout Quintin Cooper scored on a counter reverse over the left side at the 5:08 mark of the first half.
“We knew if we came out in the second half and played Saint Ignatius football, we would be right back in the game,’’ said senior strong safety and quad-captain Kevin Hopkins, who, along with senior outside linebacker Jake Ryan and senior middle linebacker Owen Callahan, led one of the strongest defensive charges in Wildcats history in the second half. “Coach Kyle told us to put everything in the first half behind us and move forward.’’
Saint Ignatius’ defense, which in the words of assistant coach Bryan Massinen ’98 “took over the game,’’ played like it could have moved mountains in the second half.
On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, the 6-3, 225-pound Ryan nearly took the handoff as he blasted both the quarterback and the ball carrier for a 5-yard loss coming off the edge on a blitz. After Callahan, who made several key stops in both halves, tackled the ball carrier for a minus 1 yard on second down, assistant coach Ryan Franzinger ’02 sent Ryan from the same blitz formation on a third-and-16 from the Northmont 14.
Blowing past two would-be blockers, Ryan hit the quarterback with a pad-rattling tackle that could be heard on Day Drive, jarred the ball loose and standout senior defensive end and quad-captain Pat Dowd recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. Franklin’s second extra point was high and true, and the ‘Cats trailed, 20-14, with 10:28 remaining in the third quarter.
“Every single down we went 100 percent,’’ said Ryan, who after making 15 tackles against Glenville came up with seven solo stops on Saturday night. “We were just really mad at ourselves at the end of the half. We came out in the second half and exploded.’’
Callahan, who along with his teammates did his best in trying to make up for not having All-Ohio senior linebacker and quad-captain Scott McVey (sidelined by a shoulder injury), talked about how Saint Ignatius rebounded from the Thunderbolts’ quick strikes in the first half.
“We played okay (in the first half), but we could have played a lot better,’’ Callahan said. “We came out in the second half with the attitude that there was no way we were going to lose. We really stepped it up. It was a lot of fun out there tonight.’’
The Wildcats had to step it up again after Northmont pulled off another fake punt that Johnson executed flawlessly by running for a first down at the Saint Ignatius 29.
But just when the ‘Bolts appeared to have recaptured the momentum, a solid shoulder tackle by Hopkins (12 tackles) caused a fumble that was recovered by Wildcats senior cornerback/running back Kevin Johnson at the Saint Ignatius 23.
From there, the Wildcats’ offense, keyed by the hard-nosed, second-effort running of junior tailback Bobby Grebenc and some clutch receptions by Sorrell, marched 77 yards in 10 plays. The 5-11, 195-pound Grebenc tied the score on a 3-yard run over the right side and Franklin, who kicked the winning extra point against Glenville, put the ball through the uprights again for a 21-20 lead with 1:45 to go in the third quarter.
Kevin Johnson also ran with authority down the stretch as “K. J.’’ gave Saint Ignatius some breathing room by capping off a six-play, 61-yard drive with an authoritative 6-yard TD run up the middle with 6:35 remaining to be played.
“Coach Kyle really inspired us,’’ said Grebenc, who rushed for 171 yards on 22 carries, with 93 of those yards coming in the second half. “They were a great team, so we started to really pick it up. I just try to get the first down and whatever I get after that is extra.
“I really just think that it’s a big honor that they gave me this opportunity,’’ Grebenc continued. “And to play along side Mark Myers, who is being looked at by a ton of colleges, is just unbelievable.’’
Yes, unbelievable.
Some of Northmont’s faithful shared the same sentiment as they headed for their buses after the Wildcats, in another display of class, ended the game by kneeling down and running out the clock deep in Thunderbolts territory.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK FOR THE NORTHMONT GAME
OFFENSE
Junior tailback Bobby Grebenc: The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Grebenc was a workhorse in the 27-20 record comeback, rushing for 172 yards on 22 carries. He scored the tying touchdown on a 3-yard burst over the right side with 1:45 left in the third quarter. Coach Kyle said if you saw Grebenc’s touchdown run on film, you would appreciate even more what a powerful effort it was.
Grebenc displayed power, balance and exceptional vision in the second half against Northmont, coming up with 93 of those 171 yards. In the 14-13, opening-night victory over Glenville, Bobby rushed for 75 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per carry.
DEFENSE
Senior strong safety and special-teams standout Kevin Hopkins: “Hoppy’’ was all over the field, making 12 tackles, including eight solos and a tackle for a loss.
A 5-10, 175-pound quad-captain, Hopkins came up with one of the game’s biggest plays in the third quarter after Northmont recaptured the momentum by executing a fake punt that resulted in a first down at the Wildcats’ 29-yard line. On the next play, Hopkins made a jarring shoulder tackle that knocked the ball loose at the Saint Ignatius 23, where it was recovered by senior cornerback Kevin Johnson. Ten plays later, Grebenc scored the tying touchdown.
“With Scott being out, people had to step up,’’ Hopkins said, referring to AP All-Ohio and MaxPreps All-American senior linebacker Scott McVey, who was resting a shoulder injury. “I felt the urgency that we were down a guy, we were down 20 points and someone had to step up. And that’s where (senior linebackers) Jake Ryan and Owen Callahan came up big, stop after stop. Like Jake said, we just exploded in the second half.
“It is a big challenge, trying to come in and fill big shoes,’’ said Hopkins of the Wildcats’ 2008 all-senior defensive secondary that featured two All-Ohio safeties – Dan Fox (now at Notre Dame) and Pat Hinkel (now at Miami of Ohio). Last year, they won a state championship, and that’s what we want to do. That was the senior leadership and camaraderie they taught us – how to get to that game. Do it right and, as Coach 'Mass' (Bryan Massinen ’98) always says, play fast.’’
BY THE NUMBERS: Along with the defensive efforts by Hopkins, Ryan, Callahan, Johnson and senior ends Pat Dowd and Jim Ramella, Saint Ignatius saw senior free safety/wideout Kory Gillissie and junior linebacker Tyler Kette take part in 12 and 10 tackles, respectively.
THIS WEEK IN WILDCATS HISTORY: Senior quarterback and Strongsville native Geoff Panteck completed 17 of 28 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown, and a relentless pass rush keyed by senior Chris Hovan was more than the Strongsville Mustangs could deal with as Saint Ignatius defeated the Mustangs, 19-7, in a 1995 regular-season matchup at Lakewood Stadium.
“We were on Leonard (Strongsville quarterback Ken Leonard) all night,’’ said Hovan, who had four of the Wildcats’ nine sacks. “You have to credit the whole line. We’re a team, not individuals.’’
ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS!
Wildcats’ comeback victory against Clayton Northmont the biggest (in terms of point deficit) in Saint Ignatius football history.
Posted by Eddie Dwyer on 9/07/09 at 3 p.m. Copyright, Sept. 2009
Here is an all-time list of the Wildcats’ impressive comebacks.
Trailing Northmont, 20-0, with 5:08 to play in the second quarter – won, 27-20.
Trailed Glen Mills (Pa.), 30-11, at halftime on Oct. 29, 1999 at Lakewood Stadium – won, 31-30.
Trailed Massillon, 21-3, midway through the third quarter on Sept. 13, 2002 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium – won, 29-21, with Anthony Gonzalez ’03 almost single handedly leading the charge.
Trailed Toledo St. John’s, 14-0, after the first quarter on Sept. 23, 1995 at Lakewood Stadium – won, 33-29.
Trailed Centerville, 21-9, at halftime in the Division I state championship game on Dec. 1, 1991 at Fawcett Stadium – won, 24-21.
Trailed Euclid, 30-19, on Nov 11, 1989 at Finnie Stadium with 10:01 to play in the Region 1 final – won, 31-30.
SOME HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY FROM MORE THAN 40 YEARS AGO
Heading into Week 4 of the 1963 season, Saint Ignatius Hall of Fame inductee Dick Zunt ’50 published his second edition of “Hi-School Sports,’’ a monthly magazine from September through June that presented recaps and features on the area’s high school sports scene, major announcements related to high school athletics, tips on health and injuries and even sports-related comic strips. The magazine sold for 30 cents per copy and $2.50 for a yearly subscription.
In the second edition’s report on West Senate football, Saint Ignatius led off the first three paragraphs. It read: “Saint Ignatius, defending West Senate and city champion, displayed an overpowering offense to shock Parma, 58-20, Cathedral Latin, 28-0 and West High, 38-6.
“Coach John Wirtz and his Wildcats were accorded the district’s No. 1 ranking on the basis of this impressive showing. The Ignatius offense revolves around a junior backfield, headed by the brilliant quarterback, Brian Dowling, who was throwing passes and running with the finesse of a veteran.
“Halfbacks Dan Milligan and Jim Grace and fullback John Minnillo, together with ends Tom Furlong and Mike Gaul give Ignatius an awesome punch which their opponents are finding hard to defense.’’
If you think the cost of the magazine was a steal, Richman Brothers, which was one of the magazine’s major advertisers, had quilted nylon jackets on sale for $14.95, corduroy car coats with shawl collars on sale for $24.95 and “Bavarian Inspired’’ ski sweaters listed at $12.95. I don’t have to tell you what similar items would cost today.
Have a good week and we'll see you at the Osborne on Friday.
Saint Ignatius at Mentor varsity football recap
Story was posted on 9/19/09 at 2:48 a.m.
Mark Myers’ powerful arm, the soft and sure hands of Brendan Carozzoni and David Joseph, George Newrones’ nose for the ball and a Scott McVey-inspired defense.
It all added up to a dominant response and a 40-point victory at Mentor’s Osborne Stadium.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, Sept. 2009
Saint Ignatius football coach Chuck Kyle ’69 stressed all week how his Wildcats needed more consistency.
Friday night, Saint Ignatius traveled to Mentor’s Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium and, after a couple of missed lines in the early going, the state’s top-ranked Division I team put on a performance that was consistent, overpowering and deserving of the ovations it received from its faithful.
The Wildcats, with senior quarterback Mark Myers firing five touchdown passes, senior defensive back George Newrones recovering two special-teams fumbles that set up TDs and All-Ohio senior linebacker Scott McVey doing his thing after missing two games with a shoulder injury, dominated the Cardinals, 47-7, in Northeast Ohio’s non-league headliner.
Saint Ignatius, which outscored Mentor, 40-0, over the final three quarters, improved to 4-0 and ended the Cardinals’ 22-game home winning streak.
The Wildcats, who lead their all-time series with Mentor, 8-2, were also the last team to defeat the Cardinals at Osborne Stadium prior to the streak. Behind a pass-and-catch show by Rudy Kirbus and Robby Parris, Saint Ignatius won at Mentor, 55-35, in 2005.
“It’s just a great feeling,’’ said Myers of the timing he had all night with his receivers, especially standout senior tight end Brendan Carozzoni and elusive junior wideout David Joseph. A 6-foot-5, 225-pound southpaw, Myers was 12-of-18 for 273 yards as the Wildcats extended their winning streak to 18 games, a mark that dates back to last year’s record 10th big-school state championship.
Mentor (2-2), the Division I state runner-up in 2006 and ’07, held a 7-0 lead after junior tailback Mike Korecz scored on a fourth-and-1 and junior kicker Greg Klisuric tacked on the extra point.
That score by the Cardinals, which came with 8 minutes, 17 seconds remaining in the opening quarter, was the last bright spot for the perennial Lake County power.
Flashing its state-championship credentials, Saint Ignatius marched 80 yards in nine plays and tied the score on a perfectly executed 12-yard touchdown pass from Myers to Carozzoni. A 6-5, 225-pound University of Pittsburgh recruit, Carozzoni caught the ball in stride, powered his way into the end zone and the extra point by senior Jesse Franklin knotted the score at 7 with 4:12 left in the first quarter.
Carozzoni, who helped set up his first touchdown of the night by making a smooth and authoritative catch of 22 yards on a fourth-and-3 from the Mentor 35, finished with five receptions for 91 yards. He also was on the receiving end of a 27-yard TD toss from Myers early in the second half.
“At no time at all (this week) did we talk about streaks or breaking a streak,’’ said Coach Kyle of Mentor’s success at home. “We’ve played at a lot of away stadiums. I don’t know what their streak is, I just know they’re a good program and you have to find out a way to beat a good program, to just play football. Offensively and defensively, I was very pleased with what happened tonight.’’
With McVey, fellow senior linebackers Jake Ryan and Owen Callahan, and senior linemen Pat Dowd, Gerry Ramella and Cameron Ventling helping keep the Cardinals grounded, the Wildcats rode their special teams to a commanding lead.
Mentor, which was coming off a four-point loss at Solon, couldn’t handle a towering and deep punt by Myers. The ball was fumbled and recovered by Newrones inside the Cardinals’ 4. Two plays later, junior tailback Bobby Grebenc fought his way over the right side and into the end zone from 5 yards out. Franklin’s second extra point made it 14-7 with 8:13 to go in the first half.
Saint Ignatius senior safety Kory Gillissie got in the act by outmaneuvering the intended receiver and coming up with a text-book interception at the Wildcats’ 15. Gillissie redeemed himself right after he gave the ball over to Mentor on a fumbled punt.
Coach Kyle’s special teams then came to the fore again and leading the way was none other than the 5-9, 165-pound Newrones.
Newrones was, as Time Warner Cable’s talented color commentator Patrick Pierson said, “Georgie on the Spot again’’ as he pounced on another fumbled punt, this time at midfield.
Newrones’ second fumble recovery led the way to a play that saw Myers avoid the rush, step up in the pocket and hit the 5-8, 160-pound Joseph in stride for a 50-yard touchdown. Myers and Joseph also hooked up on scoring passes of 15 and 64 yards, as the gritty, quick and sure-handed Joseph totaled four receptions for 159 yards.
Time Warner Cable’s “Player of the Game,’’ Joseph accounted for the final point with a kick that followed an impressive touchdown run by senior tailback Christian Sanders with 3:27 left. All of the Wildcats’ skill players singled out their offensive line, which put together another rock-solid game. Senior Kevin Smith was among the O-Linemen who relished a couple of key blocks.
“I was just trying to get down the field as fast as possible,’’ said Newrones of his two huge special-teams plays. “I saw the ball, saw my opportunity and just pounced on it. Usually I have two guys on me. This week, it was nice, there was only one guy blocking me.
“This is awesome, just to play against the best teams,’’ Newrones continued. “Everybody wants to play and when they get the chance, it is full-go. No, I’ve never had two fumble recoveries before. I don’t think I ever had one.’’
While the triumph over the Cardinals was one the entire team can enjoy this weekend, no one savored being part of it more than McVey.
“It felt great, oh God,’’ said McVey of being able to get back on the field and compete in the game he loves and plays with a passion that is admired by his opponents. “We came out a little slow, but it was a blast out there making plays and being in the huddle with all of my buddies. I needed that first big hit to kind of get me going again and hopefully I can progress and get back to where I was next week (Saturday at St. Francis in Athol Springs, N.Y.).’’
As Coach Kyle said of McVey’s return: “The warrior is back.’’
An Ohio State recruit, McVey helped the Wildcats outgain the Cardinals, 432 to 177, and shut down Mentor's potent running game. He finished with nine tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage.
HIGH PRAISE: After Mark Myers shredded the Cardinals’ secondary, Mentor’s veteran coach Steve Trivisonno described Mark as the best Saint Ignatius quarterback he has ever seen. Coach “Triv’’ couldn’t say enough about Myers’ powerful and accurate throws.
Trivisonno’s words are certainly high praise, especially when you consider Saint Ignatius has produced 15 quarterbacks who have received All-Ohio recognition, including Brian Hoyer, the back-up to the New England Patriots’ All-Pro signal-caller Tom Brady, and high school All-Americans Tom Forrestal, Joe Pickens and Scott Mutryn.
‘CAT PAWS, BY THE NUMBERS
COPYRIGHT, SEPT. 2009
Déjà vu on Center Street
- Eddie Dwyer, 9/20/09
Veteran Mentor fans had seen it before.
And, it was so familiar that some of the Cardinals’ faithful thought they were experiencing time travel.
In 1989, en route to their second Division I state championship and the first of three national titles, the Saint Ignatius Wildcats defeated the Cardinals, 43-2, in a season opener at what was known then as Mentor Cardinal Stadium.
That night, All-Ohio senior quarterback Joe Pickens played his gifted right arm through, around and over the Cardinals’ defense to the tune of 276 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Pickens, who is now a successful attorney for the firm of Chester Willcox & Saxbe in Columbus, Ohio, made his case on 17 of his 23 passing attempts.
This past Friday night, another big, strong and power-armed Wildcat signal-caller - senior Mark Myers - put together an almost identical performance as the Wildcats (4-0) overwhelmed the Cardinals, 47-7, at Mentor’s Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium. (SEE THE RECAP OF FRIDAY'S GAME IN A STORY BELOW.).
The 6-5, 225-pound Myers unleashed the lion early and often, and finished with a career-best night – 12 of 18 for 273 yards and five touchdowns.
After Pickens dominated Mentor in late summer of ’89, Mentor’s head coach at the time, Hall of Famer Dick Kerschbaum, said to The Plain Dealer: “That's as good a high school quarterback as you'll see.’’
Following Myers’ outstanding effort on Friday, Cardinals 13-year head coach Steve Trivisonno described the smooth southpaw as being the best Saint Ignatius quarterback he has seen.
As “The Corner’’ reported in this weekend’s Saint Ignatius-Mentor game recap, Trivisonno’s words are high praise. Especially when you consider the Wildcats have produced 15 quarterbacks who have received All-Ohio recognition, including All-Americans Tom Forrestal, Pickens and Scott Mutryn.
Myers’ 273 yards passing ranks him 18th on Saint Ignatius’ all-time list for passing yards in a game. The all-time, single-game leaders are Nate Szep with 389 in 2001, Brian Hoyer with 375 in 2003 and Szep again, with 370 in ’01. Hoyer is currently the back-up quarterback to New England Patriots All-Pro Tom Brady.
HIGH FIVE: Prior to Friday night, the last time a St Ignatius quarterback threw five touchdown passes in a game was Sept. 23, 2005, when Rudy Kirbus touched up Mishawaka Penn High School in a 41-19 triumph in the shadows of the University of Notre Dame’s Golden Dome. The week prior, 9-16-05, Kirbus threw four touchdown passes, all to Robby Parris, in a 20-point victory at Mentor. That was Mentor’s last home loss until this past Friday’s 40-point defeat at the paws of the Wildcats.
EMERGING ‘CAT: Junior wideout David Joseph had 159 yards receiving to go along with his three touchdowns against Mentor on Friday night. That is the best effort, receiving yards-wise, since Robby Parris' 163 yards against Mentor in ’05. Joseph now has the eighth-best receiving day in Wildcats history. Number one is Robby Parris with 240 yards versus Mishawaka Penn High in ’05.
JUST IN CASE YOU’RE WONDERING: With the mid-point of the regular season at hand, we thought we would let you know the Wildcats are 22-4 in Week 5 games under Coach Chuck Kyle. The last Week 5 loss was in 2004 to the St Francis Red Raiders, the Wildcats’ opponent on Saturday night at 7 in Athol Springs, N.Y. In that ’04 game, Doug Worthington, now a mainstay at Ohio State, led the way for St. Francis in the second half. And he did it with Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel in attendance at Byers Field.
MORE FACTS TO PONDER THIS WEEK: Since 1983, the Wildcats are 150-5 when holding an opponent under 10 points and 84-2 when scoring 40 or more points.
The five under-10 setbacks were: 1983, lost 9-0 to Lake Catholic; 1986, lost 7-6 to Valley Forge; 1987, lost 7-0 to St Joseph; 1987, lost 6-3 to Lake Catholic; and 1991, lost 8-0 to Villa Angela-St. Joseph.
The two losses when scoring 40 or points came in back-to-back weeks in 2001 – 44-41 to St Edward in overtime at Lakewood Stadium and 42-41 to Cincinnati St. Xavier at Byers Field.
And last, but not least, the Wildcats’ current winning streak of 18 games, which dates back to Week 2 of last season, is slightly ahead of the 18-game unbeaten streak compiled by the 1949 and '50 squads. Those teams combined for a 17-0-1 mark, with the tie coming in the 1950 Charity Game against Benedictine.
The 1962 and ’63 teams combined on a 19-game winning streak, going 10-0 in ’62 and 9-0 in ’63 before losing to Benedictine in the Charity Game.
Of course, Saint Ignatius’ all-time best winning streaks are 39, 38 and 25 games, all under Coach Kyle.
In closing, our thoughts, prayers and sympathy are with the Murphy Family at this time. May Daniel Rest in Peace.
God Bless, Eddie.
HERE ARE THE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK FOR THE MENTOR GAME
OFFENSE
The honor goes to Mark Myers, who completed 12 of 18 passes for 273 yards and five touchdowns in the 40-point victory at Mentor. Mark, who displayed poise, pocket presence and a big-time arm, fired TD passes of 50, 15 and 64 yards to gritty junior wideout David Joseph and scoring strikes of 12 and 27 yards to senior tight end and University of Pittsburgh recruit Brendan Carozzoni. And all of that was accomplished in less than three quarters.
Mark also got off two soaring punts that resulted in fumble recoveries by senior defensive back George Newrones, special-teams plays that resulted in touchdowns.
“Mark gets a good feel for where the protection is happening and, as you saw him do a couple of times (against Mentor), he stepped up in the seams and launched huge passes. That’s what he really keeps getting better and better at – keeping active, feeling where the seam is in the protection and keeping his eyes up field.’’ – Coach Kyle ’69.
DEFENSE
Earning their well-deserved spot on ‘The Corner’’ are the ‘Cats’ fearsome foursome, the boys up front, if you will.
This active and underrated all-senior unit – another in a long line of hard-nosed defensive fronts developed by assistant coach Dan Corrigan ’78 – made it a long night for Mentor’s offensive line. Senior ends Pat Dowd and Gerry Ramella and senior interior linemen Cameron Ventling and Tom Krukemeyer controlled the line of scrimmage and allowed the Wildcats’ talented linebackers the opportunity to roam and ruin.
Dowd, one of the Wildcats’ four captains, was in on eight tackles, including three for minus yardage. He batted down a pass, hurried the quarterback and had a quarterback hit. His partners in disruption helped contain Mentor’s powerful running game, as Ramella had five tackles, including one for a loss, and Ventling came up with four solos, a sack and another stop behind the line of scrimmage.
ONE FOR THE AGES
On Oct. 26, 1985, Chuck Kyle, in his third season at the varsity helm of his alma mater, led his Wildcats against All-Ohio quarterback Larry Wanke and the Benedictine Bengals. Benedictine entered the game with an 8-0 record and a second-place ranking in the Associated Press state poll. Coach Kyle’s Wildcats were 6-2.
In a game that attracted a standing-room-only crowd to John Marshall Field, the lead change hands eight times, including six times in the second half, before Wanke’s desperation pass from the Saint Ignatius 30-yard line with three seconds remaining fell incomplete in the end zone. The Wildcats prevailed, 34-32.
There were many memorable performances on both sides, as leading the way for the Wildcats were tailback Pete Landino, quarterback Scott Spicer, special-teams and defensive secondary standout Kevin Cook and Jim Healy (14 tackles and an interception), Bruce Ianni (12 tackles) and Chris Petrus (10 tackles and an interception).
Landino rushed for 178 yards on 33 carries and scored four touchdowns, including the game-winning score on an 8-yard burst with 34 seconds remaining.
As a side note to the game, high school reporters at The Plain Dealer were without the benefit of computers at that time. We would either race back to the office to type up our stories or, if time was of the essence, we would write the story by hand, find a phone and dictate our report.
The latter was the case that night at John Marshall Field and yours truly dictated my story on this classic game from a pay phone in front of a Convenient Store on Lorain Avenue.
As I was dictating my last paragraph, I looked over at my car, which was parked on a side street near the store, and noticed that three young men were breaking into the car.
Well, first things first. I wrapped up my story, distracted the vandals by yelling at them and went over to my car. My only losses were a small crack in my driver’s side window, 73 cents and a “Bengals Roar’’ Benedictine football program.
But hey, I made my deadline under trying circumstances and, if I do say so myself, put together a pretty good story in the short time allowed on a game that will be remembered for quite some time.
Just ask Kevin Cook.
Saint Ignatius at St. Francis varsity football recap – posted on 9/27/09 at 4:39 a.m.
Strong second half sends the Wildcats home victorious.
The undefeated Massillon Tigers are looming.
By Eddie Dwyer
ATHOL SPRINGS, N.Y. – There were spurts in the second quarter and throughout the second half on Saturday night where Saint Ignatius resembled the football team that is ranked No. 1 in Ohio in Division I by the Associated Press.
But it was the inconsistencies and the inability to take advantage of early opportunities that left Coach Chuck Kyle ’69 wanting.
“I thought we were sluggish in the beginning,’’ said Kyle, after his Wildcats improved to 5-0 and extended their winning streak to 19 games by turning away a spirited St. Francis team, 30-14. “No excuses. I don’t care how long (three-plus hours) it takes to get to a game. We have to come out and play.
“Blown opportunities,’’ Coach Kyle continued. “That’s the difference between the first half and the second half. When we had opportunities in the second half, yeah, fine, touchdowns. We were putsin around too much in the first half.’’
Late in the first quarter, the Wildcats turned the ball over on downs at the Red Raiders’ 10-yard line. Early in the second quarter, Saint Ignatius, on the strength of a strong punt return by junior wideout David Joseph and a late hit on St. Francis appeared to be in business at the Red Raiders’ 19.
The next three plays would produce just five yards, however, and the Wildcats settled for a 31-yard field goal by senior Jesse Franklin.
Saint Francis (2-2), which has been dominated by Saint Ignatius in recent meetings, turned to the passing of quarterback Mike Chuchla and the receiving of versatile split end Adam Redden.
With Redden making three big-time catches, Coach Jerry Smith’s team marched from its 35 to a first-and goal at the 5. Redden finished with 193 yards receiving.
After two inside running plays put the ball on the 2, senior outside linebacker Jake Ryan, who is having an all-state caliber season for the Wildcats, came firing up the middle and batted down a pass by Chuchla.
Now faced with a fourth-and-goal from the 2, the Red Raiders elected to pass up a possible tying field goal and decided to go for the touchdown and the momentum.
However, one of St. Francis' linemen jumped and now Coach Smith and Co. had to negotiate a fourth-and-goal from the 7. Again, the Red Raiders went for the touchdown and Chuchla’s pass fell incomplete.
It could easily be said the game was won or lost there.
Saint Ignatius, riding the wave of its defensive stand, drove 93 yards in just six plays and took a 10-0 lead on a 26-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Mark Myers to senior tight end Brendan Carozzoni and an extra-point kick by Franklin.
Helping key the drive was junior tailback Bobby Grebenc, who ripped off a 38-yard run over the left side on first-and-10 from the 7.
On the first possession of the second half, the Wildcats forced St. Francis to punt from the back line of its end zone.
Taking over at the Red Raiders’ 37, Saint Ignatius, aided by a clutch reception by junior wideout Sean Nugent, took a three-score lead on a 20-yard TD strike from Myers to senior wideout Tucker Sorrell with 8:22 remaining in the third quarter. Myers was 12-of-22 passing for 185 yards.
At that point, the Wildcats played a little special-teams surprise that seemed to take the air out of the St. Francis faithful.
On the kickoff after Sorrell’s score, Franklin got off a text-book pooch kick and the ball was recovered by standout senior safety Kevin Hopkins at the Red Raiders’ 32. Five plays layer, Grebenc, off what veteran offensive coordinator Nick Restifo described as a “great read’’ by Myers, swept the left side, juked a would-be tackler and tip-toed his way along the sideline and into the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown.
“We called that right before (it happened),’’ said Hopkins of the pooch kick. “I said, ‘Hey Jess, get me a good one.’ And he put the ball right at the kid’s feet. It bounced around, Markus (senior defensive back Markus Primes) put a hand on it and knocked it down, and I just jumped on top of it. It was a great kick by Jesse.’’
Chuchla, who completed 20 of 48 passes for well over 200 yards, put St. Francis on the board with a 10-yard touchdown pass to wideout Roland Kerr with 1:07 left in the third quarter. He also scored the game’s final TD on a 1-yard keeper with 14 seconds remaining to be played.
In between those Red Raiders scores, Grebenc, who carried the ball 24 times for 129 yards, gave the ‘Cats a cushion by scoring on a 22-yard run in which he displayed exceptional balance and vision.
“The conditions (on and off again heavy rain) weren’t great for passing,’’ said Grebenc, who has been one of Coach Kyle’s steadiest performers through five games. “We did what we had to do.’’
Grebenc, who emphasized the Wildcats have a lot of work ahead of them in order to be sharp for Saturday’s 7 p.m. encounter with Massillon (5-0) at Byers Field in Robert M. Boulton Stadium, credits his success to Saint Ignatius’ veteran running backs coach Dale Polick.
“We can’t afford that (a sluggish start) next week and the kids know it,’’ said Coach Kyle of what will be the last regular season meeting between Saint Ignatius and Massillon, at least for the time being. The Tigers will not be renewing the contract.
“If people think this is the same Massillon team as last year, it isn’t,’’ Kyle said, referring to last season’s 49-7 victory at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. “They’re much better, they’re good. So we’re going to have a real battle ahead of us.’’
SON OF A COACH: Turning in a solid defensive performance on Saturday night was St. Francis lineman Joe Smith, the youngest son of Coach Smith. Joe was active all night as he finished with eight tackles and two key sacks.
A LOCAL TIE: Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is a 1993 graduate of St. Francis and played under Coach Smith.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
We are going with a repeat from earlier in the season in junior tailback Bobby Grebenc and we’re also honoring two of the young men who helped show the way for Bobby – 6-5, 260-pound senior tackle Joe Lavelle and 6-4, 270-pound junior guard Michael Ramos.
Grebenc, displaying balance, strength and exceptional vision on a muddy and rain-drenched field in Athol Springs, N.Y., rushed for 129 yards on 24 carries. He enabled the Wildcats to pull away from a spirited St. Francis team, 30-14, by scoring on runs of 9 and 22 yards in the second half.
Both of Grebenc’s touchdowns and several of his other yards came behind Lavelle and Ramos, whom Coach Kyle said did some real nice things on the left side for assistant coach Adam Rini’s O-Line. Rini is from the Class of 1999.
DEFENSE
The call from the corner is another repeat in senior outside linebacker Jake Ryan. Sharing the honor with Jake is one of his partners in disruption – senior mike linebacker Owen Callahan.
Ryan made seven tackles, including four solos and two behind the line of scrimmage. He batted down three passes in key situations – plays that helped slow down a capable Red Raiders passing attack – had a quarterback hit and two QB hurries.
Callahan gave his support to the tune of six tackles, including three for minus yardage. Owen was also in the passing lanes as he broke up two throws and hurried the quarterback on a couple of occasions.
DURING THIS WEEK IN 1963
The front sports page of The Plain Dealer featured stories on Lakewood knocking Valley Forge from the undefeated football ranks, the Kansas City Athletics defeating the Indians, 3-1, behind the two-hit pitching of Dave Wickersham and, stripped across the front sports page on Saturday was the large bold-face headline: “ST. IGNATIUS NAILS 3RD IN ROW, 38-6.’’
Behind the “bull-like rushes of Dan Milligan and a rock-ribbed defense,’’ the Wildcats thwarted “inspired’’ West High, 38-6, in a West Senate football opener before an overflow crowd at West Tech Field.
THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN
I have said it before, and others have repeated my words since then, but, with Massillon coming to town on Saturday night, I will say it one more time – the greatest defensive player I ever had the privilege of seeing and covering was Tigers All-Ohio, All-American and National Player of the Year Chris Spielman. Chris, who played his linebacker position with fire, pride, savvy and an abundance of skill, went on to an All-American and Lombardi Award-winning career at Ohio State and an All-Pro career in the NFL. He was recently inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and does an outstanding job as an analyst for ESPN’s coverage of college football. His candor and knowledge of the game are much appreciated by this old-timer.
In Scott H. Shook’s entertaining and informative book, “Massillon Memories,’’ there is a quote from Chris that I feel sums up the passion he brought to the field. It reads: “I played for them. I played for Massillon, for the town, consciously, not subconsciously. Hey, I didn’t want this guy going home, or going to work at Superior’s, thinking, ‘Man, we shouldn’t have lost.’ I wanted to carry that burden for them and make them go to work happy.’’
And no, it is not a stretch when I say that same Spielman passion is evident in a group of special young men on West 30th St.
MARK MYERS GIVES VERBAL TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH (9/30/09)
Congratulations go out to Saint Ignatius standout senior quarterback Mark Myers, who has accepted a football scholarship from the University of Pittsburgh. Mark will be joining classmate Brendan Carozzoni at Pitt. Carozzoni, a gifted tight end, committed to the Panthers during preseason.
A 6-foot-5, 220-pound southpaw, Myers has passed for 795 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He will lead the Wildcats against Massillon this weekend (see preview below) in a matchup of undefeated teams.
Mark, who is also a very talented forward for Coach Sean O'Toole's varsity basketball team, was being recruited strongly by Toledo and Ball State, and the interest in his powerful and accurate arm was growing rapidly.
The football website pantherlair.com reported that Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti was looking for a pro-style quarterback from the Class of 2010, and Mark definitely fits that bill.
Again, congratulations to Mark, his parents and the rest of the Myers family.
- Eddie Dwyer
Massillon versus Saint Ignatius varsity football recap.
Story was posted on 10/4/09 at 1:40 a.m.
A test of faith
Bobby Grebenc and Anthony Luvison help the Wildcats rally past the Tigers.
By Eddie Dwyer
Standing just outside the Saint Ignatius locker room, Bobby Grebenc said it was his offensive line and the adrenaline that kept him going on Saturday night.
That, and a bundle of talent and hard-nosed courage came to the fore as the gritty and gifted junior put together one of the most impressive performances by a running back in Saint Ignatius’ rich football history.
The Wildcats, with Grebenc carrying the ball 39 times for 210 yards and four touchdowns, and senior captain Anthony Luvison excelling on both sides of the ball down the stretch, turned back an extremely talented and emotional Massillon team, 26-21, in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 in Parma’s Robert M. Boulton Stadium.
Saint Ignatius, which trailed, 21-14, entering the fourth quarter, improved to 6-0 and extended its winning streak to 20 games. Massillon, which trailed, 14-0, with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half, lost for the first time in six games. It marked the last regular-season meeting between the Wildcats and the Tigers, at least for the time being.
Massillon is not renewing the contract. And that’s unfortunate because if ever there was a game in which both teams left it all on the field, the Wildcats and the Tigers did so in style Saturday night.
“There was a lot of momentum flying around in that game,’’ said Saint Ignatius coach Chuck Kyle ’69, whose program now leads the series with Massillon, 12-1. “Hey, they’re a great football team and they’re going to be in the playoffs. Who knows? We can try to work hard so maybe we can get together again (in the playoffs).’’
The Wildcats and the Tigers have met three times in the postseason, all three being state-semifinal encounters. But none were more intense than the 13th matchup between the storied programs.
Saint Ignatius, which entered Saturday’s game ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Division I state poll, sixth in the National Prep Poll and No. 1 in the all-important OHSAA Region 1 computer ratings, controlled the early going behind an awesome display of power football.
Dominating the line of scrimmage, the Wildcats put together drives of 70 yards on 10 plays and 80 yards on 13 plays. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Grebenc, who is blessed with power, balance, vision and deceptive speed, capped off those marches with touchdown runs of 1 and 3 yards. A clutch 13-yard reception by Luvison off a crossing pattern helped set up Grebenc’s second TD.
Saint Ignatius’ defense took center stage after Massillon elected to pass up a field-goal attempt and go for it on fourth down and 1 yard to go from the Wildcats’ 11. Senior All-Ohio linebacker Scott McVey read the play perfectly and made a one-handed leaping interception in the end zone.
Starting on its 20, Saint Ignatius turned to Grebenc again and drove into Tigers’ territory. However, a holding penalty and an incomplete pass on third down and less than a yard to go thwarted the drive and Massillon, behind the passing of senior quarterback Robert Partridge, captured the momentum late in the first half.
Partridge, who finished with 263 yards passing and was intercepted three times, highlighted an 80-yard march by hooking up with the versatile Bo Grunder on a 5-yard scoring play with 40 seconds left in the first half.
Carrying their momentum into the third quarter, the Tigers stunned the Wildcats with touchdown runs of 71 and 3 yards by sophomore tailback Alex Winters. Winters’ 71-yard burst came off a fourth down-and-less than a yard to go from the Massillon 29 and his 3-yard scoring jaunt was set up by an 82-yard pass down the left sideline from Partridge to multitalented junior wideout Devin Smith. Smith finished with four receptions for 132 yards.
“They made the adjustments and they were going to their receivers,’’ said Coach Kyle of the Tigers’ second- and third-quarter surges. “They’ve got some skilled guys and that was a concern, obviously, for us the whole week. And they hit a few.
“We made some mistakes, things that were kind of demoralizing for a bit to be honest with you,’’ Kyle continued. “But the kids kept their faith. And we just kept banging it in.’’
Helping supply the bangs were Luvison, senior wideout Tucker Sorrell and, of course, the resilient Grebenc.
Luvison’s perfectly timed interception at the Saint Ignatius 46 led to Grebenc’s third score – a 1-yard run with 8:41 left. Sorrell helped keep the drive alive by making a diving catch along the sideline on a fourth down-and-4 from the Tigers' 33. Luvison then combined with senior quarterback Mark Myers on a 23-yard pass play and two plays later Grebenc made it a one-point deficit, 21-20.
“We just had to pull through and I owe a lot of credit to my offensive line (tackles Joe Lavelle and Stewart Ross, center Drew Gatian and guards Mike Ramos and Chris Chapek),’’ said Grebenc, whose previous career high was 172 yards rushing against Clayton Northmont during Week 2. “Without them, I would have had negative yards tonight. They were amazing.''
Saint Ignatius, taking advantage of a favorable bounce off a punt by the Tigers and a defensive holding call that wiped out a possible game-clinching interception by Massillon, scored the winning touchdown on a 10-yard run by Grebenc off a text-book draw play with two minutes remaining to be played.
Luvison, one of the Wildcats’ four captains, sealed the deal when he made a quick move on the ball from his defensive secondary position and batted away a fourth-down pass with slightly more than a minute left.
“You know their crowd is going to be a huge factor whenever or wherever you play them,’’ said Luvison of the Massillon faithful, who for the better part of the second quarter and the entire third quarter seemed to be in control of the noise level inside Boulton Stadium. “You’re doing everything you can to take that momentum back. I thought we did a very good job of stepping up, making plays and just battling the whole game.’’
And what a battle it was.
A will-testing encounter that we would all be fortunate to see again, should the opportunity present itself in late November.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE AND ALL-AROUND
Yes folks, on the offensive side of the ball the corner is coming right back this week with junior tailback Bobby Grebenc, whose four touchdowns and 210 yards rushing helped key the five-point victory over Massillon, and the young men who helped make it possible – senior tackles Stewart Ross and Joe Lavelle, junior guard Mike Ramos, senior guard Chris Chapek and senior center Drew Gatian.
In a special honor this week, the corner is recognizing senior wideout/defensive back Anthony Luvison, who excelled on both sides of the ball against the Tigers.
Anthony’s clutch 13-yard reception in the first half helped lead the way to Grebenc’s second touchdown – a 3-yard run. With the Wildcats trailing, 21-14, in the fourth quarter, Luvison came up with a perfectly timed interception at the Saint Ignatius 46-yard line. Six plays later, he hauled in a 23-yard pass from senior quarterback Mark Myers that set up Grebenc’s game-tying touchdown run of 1 yard.
Shortly after Grebenc scored the winning touchdown off a 10-yard draw play with two minutes remaining, Luvison, one of the ‘Cats’ four captains, made a quick move on the ball and sealed the deal by knocking a pass away on fourth down.
DEFENSE
Standing tall on the corner are senior defensive end Gerry Ramella, whose savvy play and discipline all night drew the praise of Wildcats’ veteran coordinator and defensive line coach Dan Corrigan ’78, senior linebackers Scott McVey, Jake Ryan and Owen Callahan, and senior safeties Kevin Hopkins and Kory Gillissie.
McVey made seven tackles, had a highlight-reel, leaping one-handed interception in the end zone in the first half and six quarterback hurries. Ryan totaled six tackles, including five solos and two sacks, and Callahan had six tackles and made an athletic play in helping deflect a pass during Massillon’s final possession. “Hoppy’ came up with an interception on the game’s first series and was involved in eight tackles, including one for a loss, and Gillissie was in on seven tackles.
STANFORD HAS PLENTY OF LUCK THIS SEASON
Helping the Stanford Cardinal to a 4-1 start this season, including a 3-0 mark in the PAC-10, is red-shirt freshman quarterback Andrew Luck.
Does the last name sound familiar? Andrew is the son of former Saint Ignatius great Oliver Luck ’78.
A John J. Wirtz Award Winner and a member of the Saint Ignatius Athletic Hall of Fame, Oliver Luck was an outstanding quarterback at Saint Ignatius and West Virginia. He set numerous passing records for the Mountaineers, was a two-time Academic All-American and a Rhodes Scholar finalist.
In his senior season at West Virginia, Oliver Luck led the Mountaineers to a victory over Florida in the Peach Bowl. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft and played with the Oilers from 1982 through 1986.
As for Andrew Luck, the 6-4, 235-pound signal-caller has thrown for 940 yards and four touchdowns. He has completed better than 62 percent of his passes. In Andrew Luck and USC freshman Matt Barkley, the PAC-10 features two of the most promising young quarterbacks in the nation.
SAINT IGNATIUS AT WARREN HARDING VARSITY FOOTBALL RECAP
Story was posted on 10/11/09 at 2:58 a.m.
‘Cats thrive under pressure, again!
Defense accepts the challenge and turns back a gifted Warren Harding team for 21.
A CALL FOR PRAYERS (SEE BELOW).
By Eddie Dwyer
WARREN, OHIO – As Saint Ignatius senior safety Kory Gillissie was making his way out of the Wildcats’ locker room on Saturday night, a reporter said to him, “Well, the pressure sure fell on the defense.’’
Gillissie, breaking into a wide smile, never hesitated in responding.
“We like the pressure,’’ he said. “It’s a lot of fun.’’
Fun, exciting, gut wrenching, nail biting, you can take your pick.
After the Wildcats turned back Warren Harding, 10-7, in Mollenkopf Stadium, the team some members of the local media have referred to as the one that “sleeps with the angels,’’ is resting comfortably this morning with a 21-game winning streak.
Yes, the 2009 Saint Ignatius Wildcats have had moments this season that have tested the faint of heart among their faithful.
There was the one-point thriller over Glenville on opening night, the school-record comeback from a 20-point deficit against Clayton Northmont in Week 2 and, of course, last week’s 26-21 will-testing experience against the Massillon Tigers.
So it certainly was nothing knew for the Wildcats’ “D’’ to respond after Harding, in its final drive, converted a fourth-and-19 from its 29-yard line into a first down in Wildcats territory. Harding’s big play was the result of a highlight-reel leaping catch along the sideline by gifted 6-foot-3 junior wide receiver Edward Killingworth.
With Raiders fans on their feet screaming for a victory, Coach Chuck Kyle’s defense, on the strength of a sack by relentless senior outside linebacker Jake Ryan, had Harding against the wall again. This time Coach D.J. Dota’s team was facing a fourth-and-22 from midfield with 23 seconds remaining.
In what many Saint Ignatius followers will describe as the longest 23 seconds in their lives, the Raiders, in a last-gasp effort, completed a short pass to senior wideout/safety Andrew Zitnik and, two laterals later, were denied of a miracle finish at the Wildcats’ 30.
Harding’s last chance for romance with victory started after Saint Ignatius just missed converting a fourth-and-9 pass into the end zone from the Raiders’ 10, a touchdown that would have put the game on ice for the Wildcats.
“I don’t think anyone on either side figured this was going to be a 10-7 game,’’ said Coach Kyle ’69, who praised the Raiders and their development under Coach Dota. “I thought the winner would be at least in the 20s.’’
Despite the final score, Harding and Saint Ignatius were able to move the ball. Two of the strongest teams in Division I, Region 1, the Wildcats and the Raiders (4-2-1) combined for more than 500 yards of offense.
All of the scoring came in the first half as Harding struck in the first quarter on a 19-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jordan Miller to Killingworth. Killingworth did appear to push off and step out of bounds before making his athletic over-the-shoulder catch in the left corner of the end zone, but the officials ruled that Saint Ignatius forced Killingworth out of bounds. Miller was 12-of-24 passing for 188 yards.
Saint Ignatius, which played without senior tight end and University of Pittsburgh recruit Brendan Carozzoni (mild concussion), responded with its 10 points in the second quarter.
Junior tailback Bobby Grebenc scored on a 1-yard sweep over the right side to cap off an eight-play, 70-yard drive and senior Jesse Franklin was high and true on a 38-yard field goal with just over five minutes remaining in the first half. Grebenc finished with 101 yards rushing on 27 carries.
The Wildcats benefited from some strong play by 6-3 junior Zach Strippy and 6-4 sophomore Blake Thomas, who each filled in admirably for Carozzoni. Strippy set up Grebenc’s touchdown with a 42-yard reception off a crisp deep route and Thomas got the 55-yard drive that led to Franklin’s field goal started by hauling in an 18-yard pass from senior quarterback Mark Myers. Myers threw for 153 yards.
Clinging to the 3-point lead, Saint Ignatius called on a team defense that was fueled by some strong pressure up front by Ryan and senior end Pat Dowd.
“We didn’t do too well in the first half (defensively),’’ said the 6-3, 225-pound Ryan, who is being recruited by most of the Mid-American Conference schools. “We weren’t playing Saint Ignatius defense. But we fixed it in the locker room, came back out in the second half and did our thing.
“When the fourth quarter rolled around, we stood our ground.’’
Dowd, one of the Wildcats’ four captains, singled out Harding’s defense and the job it did bending, but not breaking, against Saint Ignatius’ balanced offense.
“We knew we had to step it up (defensively),’’ said the tough, but good-natured Dowd. “Overall, we responded very well. On the sideline, it wasn’t, ‘Come on, you’re getting beat,’ it was, ‘Come on, we got it next time.’ It’s real important to stay positive and overall it was just an incredible effort by our whole defense.’’
Call it what you want – on angels’ wings or the strong shoulders and big hearts of some very resilient young men.
All the 2009 ‘Cats know is that they will wake up this morning 7-0 and in first place in the all-important OHSAA Region 1 playoff race.
A SPECIAL REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL PERSON
We are asking everyone in the Saint Ignatius family and the entire area high school community that he served so well to keep Dick Zunt '50 in their prayers.
Dick, a member of the Saint Ignatius Athletic Hall of Fame and a Hall of Fame sports reporter for The Plain Dealer for nearly five decades, is battling an advance case of malignant melanoma. He will be undergoing radiation treatments.
"Zip,'' as his friends affectionately refer to Dick, was in good spirits last weekend as he attended the Saint Ignatius-Massillon football game. He will continue to follow the 'Cats' games, either in person or on the radio, depending on his treatments.
This corner had the privilege of working side-by-side with Dick during my nearly 37 years at The Plain Dealer. We were the regular coverage tandem for The PD, along with columnist Bill Livingston, at nine of the Wildcats' 10 state-championship game victories. To sum up the influence Dick has had on me as my friend and mentor, I will just say he has not only helped me become a better reporter, but a better person as well.
Ask God to be with Zip and his family as he undergoes his treatments.
- Eddie Dwyer
Inkster-Saint Ignatius football preview – story was posted on 10/13/09 at 11:56 p.m.
One of the nation’s premier quarterbacks will test the Wildcats’ defense.
Top performances from the Warren Harding game are announced.
SHAQ AT SAINT IGNATIUS – “The Diesel’’ films a commercial for “Power Balance’’ on campus and in Sullivan Gym (10/13/09).
By Eddie Dwyer
So, you think Saint Ignatius has faced enough multitalented athletes for one season?
Well, batten down the hatches.
The best of them all will be paying a visit to Parma’s Robert M. Boulton Stadium on Saturday night to display his numerous skills on the Byers Field turf.
Senior Devin Gardner, the fifth-rated quarterback/athlete in the ESPNU 150, will lead the Inkster (Mich.) Vikings (4-2) against the Wildcats (7-0) at 7 p.m. on Ridge Road and Day Drive.
The game will be aired live over the Web by the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Club and its gifted crew headed by Jacob Corrigan ’10, Michael Watts ’11 and Paul Martin '10. The golden voices of Ed Daugherty, Mike Gibbons and David Bly will also bring you the game live over WHK 1420AM, beginning with the pre-game at 6:45 p.m.
“For how many weeks in a row now we've gone against teams with good speed, skilled athletes and excellent receivers,’’ said Wildcats head coach Chuck Kyle ’69. “And again, we’re facing it this week. (Devin Gardner) has a full ride to Michigan and running Inkster’s spread offense he reminds you of Terrelle Pryor at Ohio State, a big, strong guy with a cannon for an arm who runs well. And they also have some receivers who are being recruited by Division I schools.’’
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Gardner won’t hesitate in telling you that he loves having the ball in his hands. As far as he is concerned, it is his show and anything can happen when he has control of the football.
After putting on a show in 2008 that featured 1,900 yards and 26 touchdowns through the air and 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns rushing, Gardner became one of the most coveted recruits in the nation. Many veteran observers of Michigan-area high school football say Gardner’s skills and work ethic have blossomed under Coach Greg Carter. Coach Carter, known as the "Dean of Discipline,'' led St. Martin dePorres of Detroit to three state championships and a state runner-up finish before turning around the Inkster program in 2005.
Along with his talented receivers, Gardner’s show has some solid co-stars at running back. In last weekend’s 34-19 victory over Muskegon Catholic Central, DaShawn Bell scored three touchdowns and accounted for 91 of the Vikings’ 318 yards rushing. Inkster broke open a game that was tied, 6-6, at halftime. Gardner got the offense started in the second half with a 5-yard touchdown run and finished with 99 yards rushing and 110 yards passing.
“Definitely a huge challenge,’’ said Coach Kyle, whose team remains No. 1 in Region 1 in the all-important OHSAA Harbin computer ratings. “But we’ve been facing spread offenses, so we’ll have to keep tinkering and go with it. I think where maybe we have the advantage is up front. They have size, but I think our technique is pretty good.
“That’s what we need to have happen is to take advantage of our techniques. We have to throw off (Gardner’s) timing. We can’t let him get on a roll.’’
Inkster, which has bounced back after starting the season 0-2, usually starts with a four-man front on defense. The Vikings seem to put an emphasis on stopping the opponent’s running game, as they have a tendency to play their safeties tight. Under this type of alignment, it is, as Coach Kyle emphasized, very important that the Wildcats click through the air.
“We’ve been hitting some key passes,’’ Kyle said. “But I think we have to hit more, percentage-wise. Sixty or 65 percent, something like that would help. That would loosen them up a bit. If they’re able to just do man coverage and put eight in the box, that’s not good.’’
Saturday night will mark Inkster’s second trip to the Cleveland area in less than a month. On Sept. 18th, the Vikings defeated the Saint Edward Eagles, 14-7, at Lakewood Stadium.
THE CORNER AWARDS FROM THE WARREN HARDING GAME
DEFENSE
As Elvis would say: “Well, it’s one for the money, Two for the show, Three to get ready, Now go, cat, go.’’
And the three ‘Cats “The Corner’’ has selected this week had it going in Mollenkopf Stadium on Saturday night as they helped Saint Ignatius turn back a quick, aggressive and talented Warren Harding team, 10-7.
The Wildcats’ defense took its game up notch in the second half as senior outside linebacker Jake Ryan, senior “mike’’ or middle linebacker Owen Callahan and senior defensive lineman Tom Krukemeyer led the way.
Ryan totaled 13 stops, including seven solos, had two sacks, four tackles for losses and a fumble recovery. Callahan also rang up 13 tackles, including five solos and two behind the line of scrimmage, and Krukemeyer made seven tackles, with three resulting in minus yardage, and combined on a sack.
OFFENSE
With standout senior tight end Brendan Carozzoni sidelined with a mild concussion, Zach Strippy and Blake Thomas accepted the challenge and did an admirable job filling in.
With Saint Ignatius trailing, 7-0, Strippy, a junior, helped set up classmate Bobby Grebenc’s 1-yard touchdown by running a precise route and hauling in a 42-yard pass from senior quarterback Mark Myers, an effort that took the ball to Warren Harding 3-yard line. Strippy finished with two receptions for 57 yards.
Thomas, a 6-4, 210-pound sophomore, held his own against the Raiders’ large and experienced defensive front and he helped lead the way to senior Jesse Franklin’s 38-yard field goal with an 18-yard reception that fueled the 55-yard drive.
“They rotated through, kept fresh and did a good job,’’ said Coach Kyle of the efforts by Strippy and Thomas. “So if we have to do that again, we will. We’re used to it now.’’
SHAQ AT THE SULLY
Shaquille O'Neal, one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA, was on the Saint Ignatius campus Tuesday afternoon filming a commercial for the “Power Balance’’ wristband and other related “Power Balance’’ products.
To a novice on the subject like yours truly, here is a quick explanation of what “Power Balance’’ is all about.
Power Balance Performance Technology has been embedded with naturally occurring frequencies found in nature that have been known to react positively with your body's energy field to amplify cell to cell communication. When cells communicate better, the body works better-improving balance, flexibility, strength, endurance, stamina, focus and overall wellness.
When Power Balance comes in contact with the body's energy field, it resonates at a low-level frequency that improves the flow of energy throughout the body and helps regulate its static energy. Like a tuning fork, Power Balance creates cellular harmony that allows you to perform at your optimum level.
As for Shaq, he filmed part of his commercial on the roof near The Harold C. Schott Library and did the rest inside Sullivan Gymnasium.
Shaq, who will team with the NBA’s current ultimate player – St. Vincent-St. Mary legend LeBron James – in helping the Cavaliers achieve their goal of an NBA championship this coming season, couldn’t have been more classy, obliging and outgoing as he greeted the Wildcats’ 2009-10 varsity basketball team. Shaq huddled with the players and had them yell “State Champs.’’ He didn’t think their effort was loud enough the first time, so another chorus of “State Champs’’ followed.
Shaq also posed for a picture with the family of Wildcats head basketball coach Sean O’Toole and told Coach O’Toole what a beautiful family he had – wife Laura, daughters Erin and Kelsey and sons Connor and Owen. Just 3, Kelsey was right at home and enjoying every moment in her Cavaliers jersey.
After saying hello to Saint Ignatius President, Rev. William J. Murphy, S.J., Principal Peter H. Corrigan, Jr. and Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick, Shaq took a few practice shots in Sullivan Gym, interacted with the kids some more and then headed for his car as a group of students followed behind and snapped photos with their cell phones.
On his way out of Sullivan Gym, Shaq responded to those who said it was a privilege and a pleasure to meet him with a genuine reply of: “It was my pleasure.’’
Inkster (Mich.) versus Saint Ignatius varsity football recap – story was posted on 10/18/09 at 1:10 a.m.
‘Cats offense operates on all cylinders.
Myers’ gifted left arm, Grebenc’s steady ground game and another rock-solid effort by the O-Line leads a dominant performance against the Vikings.
Teams present some very special game balls.
Robby Parris '06 helps keep the fight in the Irish.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, Oct. 2009
As he stood tall against a cutting wind in Parma’s Robert M. Boulton Stadium on Saturday night, Saint Ignatius senior defensive end and quad-captain Pat Dowd put it in words that were right to the point and oh, so true.
“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing,’’ Dowd said after the Wildcats, behind a near flawless game by their offense, defeated Inkster (Mich.), 49-20, on Boulton Stadium’s Byers Field turf.
What Saint Ignatius did on Saturday night was something every offensive coordinator at every level of football would love to bottle.
The Wildcats, the top-ranked Division I program in Ohio by the Associated Press, totaled 433 yards of offense in improving to 8-0 and extended their winning streak to 22 games.
Saint Ignatius, which also holds down the No. 1 spot in the all-important Division I, Region 1 OHSAA Harbin computer ratings, was led by senior quarterback Mark Myers and gritty junior tailback Bobby Grebenc.
Myers, a University of Pittsburgh recruit, completed 13 of his 14 pass attempts for 199 yards and three touchdowns. Grebenc, who hurt the Vikings inside and outside, totaled 140 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 21 carries.
Combining their God-given skills with what was a tremendous all-facet performance by the Wildcats’ underrated offensive line, Myers and Grebenc put up those numbers in less than three quarters.
“That was a real goal this week, the percentage with the passing,’’ said Coach Chuck Kyle ’69 of Myers’ efforts. “When that happens, you get these drives that just continue and really get the defense off balance.’’
Saint Ignatius’ balanced attack had Inkster (4-3) on its heels from the get-go.
First it was a 75-yard march that featured six consecutive carries by Grebenc. On the sixth carry, Grebenc swept the left side for a 5-yard touchdown and senior Jesse Franklin’s extra-point kick made the score 7-0 with 8 minutes, 8 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.
Then Myers’ left arm heated up as the 6-foot-5, 225-pound signal-caller fired a touchdown pass of 33 yards to junior flanker David Joseph and a perfect TD strike of 28 yards to senior wide receiver Tucker Sorrell.
Leading, 21-0, entering the second quarter, the Wildcats took advantage of a diving interception by senior safety Kory Gillissie at the Inkster 46. Eleven plays later, Grebenc followed his crisp blocking for a 2-yard score.
Inkster, turning to the arm and legs of standout senior quarterback and University of Michigan recruit Devin Gardner, put together an impressive 14-play drive that was capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by junior tailback DaShawn Bell. Gardner, the fifth-rated quarterback in ESPNU’s national 150, attempted to pass for a two-point conversion following Bell’s TD, but was run down and sacked by Dowd.
Dowd recorded two sacks against the tall (6-foot-4), strong and elusive Gardner and, after the game, praised Gardner’s athleticism and said the multi-skilled quarterback seemed like a great kid.
Saint Ignatius, which will face Cincinnati Saint Xavier (7-1) next Saturday in a 2 p.m. kickoff from John Carroll University’s Don Shula Stadium, answered the Vikings’ scoring drive with another touchdown by Grebenc, this time from 6 yards out.
Gardner then flashed his national credentials in the final 1:23 of the first half by rolling to his left, getting to the corner and sprinting down the sideline for a 71-yard touchdown off a fourth-and-1 play. He followed with a two-point conversion pass to senior wideout Deon Butler and Inkster trailed the Wildcats, 35-14, at halftime.
“Bobby (Grebenc) has been like that in a lot of games (this season),’’ said Coach Kyle of his hard-nosed tailback. “And Mark was doing some nice check-offs when we needed to. We’re used to being a passing and running team, because you never know when an opponent is going to take one away from you. That was also a goal this week – that whatever a team gives you, let’s go get it.’’
Saint Ignatius got it going again in the third quarter and sealed the deal on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Myers to promising 6-foot-4, 210-pound sophomore tight end Blake Thomas and Grebenc’s fourth TD of the night, a 3-yard run. Thomas and junior Zach Strippy did another exceptional job filling in for senior tight end and University of Pittsburgh recruit Brendan Carozzoni, who is expected to return this week after suffering a mild concussion.
“We did graduate some guys off the offensive line,’’ said Kyle, who picked up his 270th career victory, all of those coming in his 27 seasons as the head coach at his alma mater. “In the beginning of the year we were green (up front), but we knew we could do it. They’re starting to be veterans. They’re telling us what’s going to work out there now.’’
In a touching moment after the game, players from Saint Ignatius and Inkster huddled together and presented game balls to Justin Winemiller and his family, who were guests of the Saint Ignatius players.
Winemiller, who was attacked and beaten on his way home from last month’s St. Rocco’s Festival, is a senior at Rhodes High School in Old Brooklyn. Several of the Wildcats have launched a call for movement against youth violence and, as part of that, visited with Winemiller and his mother. You can read the moving story on the players and Winemiller by going to the Saint Ignatius Home Page on its website and clicking on the “Spotlight’’ item that directs you to the story. The story appeared in The Plain Dealer’s Metro Section on Oct. 9 and was written by The PD’s outstanding writer, Margaret Bernstein.
ROBBY PARRIS HELPS FUEL A NOTRE DAME RALLY THAT JUST FELL SHORT
Congratulations go out to former Saint Ignatius all-district and all-state wide receiver Robby Parris '06, whose career-high nine receptions helped the University of Notre Dame storm back and nearly overcome a three-score deficit before being turned away by the visiting USC Trojans, 34-27, on Saturday afternoon. The Irish were at the USC 4-yard line when a last-second pass fell incomplete in the end zone.
Robby set up the first touchdown for the Fighting Irish by hauling in a 25-yard pass from senior punter Eric Maust off a fake field-goal attempt. His 92 yards receiving against the Trojans' highly touted secondary are the second-most in his Notre Dame career.
Cincinnati St. Xavier versus Saint Ignatius varsity football preview-story posted on 10/20/09.
A MIRROR IMAGE
BOMBERS AND WILDCATS MATCH STAUNCH DEFENSES AND BALANCED OFFENSES IN THE STATE’S PREMIER MATCHUP THIS WEEKEND.
TOP PERFORMANCES FROM THE INKSTER GAME ARE ANNOUNCED
NIKE TOUR FOCUSES ON WILDCATS FOOTBALL
BRIAN HOYER ENJOYING LIFE IN THE NFL AND FRANK DeSICO PAYS A VISIT TO PRACTICE
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, Oct. 2009
During what was a comfortable late October afternoon, Chuck Kyle ’69 was sending his Saint Ignatius Wildcats through their daily sprints.
Standing on the home side of Wasmer Field, Coach Kyle broke into a smile that was as bright as the fall sun that was taking its position near midfield.
It was an expression of respect – respect for his team and the upcoming opponent and the great challenge it always presents.
In many ways, Coach Kyle’s smile spoke volumes for what has become one of Ohio’s marquee games, year in and year out.
“These two teams are very, very similar, they really are,’’ said Kyle of Saturday afternoon’s matchup with the Bombers of St Xavier, the Jesuit-school power from Cincinnati. “We run the same scheme on defense. They’re very good on defense and I think we’re very good on defense. In this game, you take any point you can get.’’
In what will be an all-Jesuit venue, the 16th meeting between the Wildcats (8-0) and the Bombers (7-1) will take place at John Carroll University’s Don Shula Stadium.
The kickoff will be at 2 p.m. and the game will be presented live over the Web by the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Club. Providing the action will be the savvy tones of Jacob Corrigan ’10 and Michael Watts ’11, and contributing guest commentary will be John Carroll broadcaster Brendan Gulick ’09, the former dean of the Saint Ignatius web waves. In what will be a first this season, the Broadcasting Club will also be providing live video of the game.
Al Pawlowski, the veteran voice of Wildcats football and an outstanding broadcaster and television personality for SportsTime Ohio and Time Warner Cable of Northeast Ohio, will join Mike Gibbons and David Bly in bringing the game to you on a delayed basis at 5 p.m. over WHK 1420AM.
As Coach Kyle emphasized, there are very few secrets between Saint Ignatius and St. Xavier. Not only do these teams bring the same class, discipline and hard-nosed approach to the field, but Bombers head coach Steve Specht was Kyle’s defensive coordinator this past summer as Team USA rolled to the Gold Medal in the IFAF Junior World Championship at Canton’s legendary Fawcett Stadium. Coach Specht is one of the top defensive minds in the country.
Although St. Xavier leads the series, 8-7, the past two meetings have been nothing less than gut wrenching.
In 2007, the Bombers prevailed in triple overtime at Byers Field and went on from there to finish 15-0 and capture their second Division I state football championship by defeating Mentor, 27-0. St. Xavier has already clinched what will be a 16th appearance in the OHSAA playoffs.
During that 2007 regular-season thriller, two sophomores from Saint Ignatius – quarterback Mark Myers and linebacker Scott McVey – put together performances that marked a sign of things to come.
Last year, the Wildcats, en route to their record 10th big-school state championship, traveled to Cincinnati and snapped the Bombers’ 26-game winning streak on Ballaban Field, 19-16, in overtime. John J. Wirtz Award Winner Pat Hinkel ’09, now at Miami of Ohio, scored the winning touchdown on a short-yardage blast.
Saint Ignatius and St. Xavier have also squared off in two state championship games. The Wildcats came away victorious both times, 24-14 in 1992 and 37-6 in 2001.
“It’s tough to score against either of these teams,’’ said Kyle, whose Wildcats have added to their state records by locking up a 22nd consecutive Division I playoff appearance.
In last weekend’s 3-2 victory over St. Edward on Ballaban Field, the Bombers’ defense limited the Eagles to 7 yards passing and 124 total yards. Helping lead the charge were linebacker Steve Daniels, a 6-foot-1, 240-pound junior, and Nigel Muhammed, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound senior defensive lineman.
Offensively, St. Xavier and Saint Ignatius both feature tall drop-back quarterbacks in the 6-foot-5 Myers, a University of Pittsburgh recruit, and the Bombers’ 6-foot-5 three-year varsity mainstay Luke Massa. They are signal-callers who can consistently look down field and make plays.
In last weekend’s 49-20 victory over Inkster (Mich.), Myers, a southpaw, was 13-of-14 passing for 199 yards and three touchdowns. Massa, who also excels in basketball, completed 17 of 25 passes for 158 yards against a tough Saint Edward defense.
Like Myers, “Cool Hand Luke’’ can tuck the ball away and pick up key yardage. So the challenge will fall on the Wildcats’ gifted linebackers – McVey, senior Owen Callahan and senior Jake Ryan. On the season, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Ryan has 67 tackles, including 20 for losses and eight sacks.
Massa is complemented by an always-dependable running game that this season includes promising sophomore Conor Hundley. Saint Ignatius counters with junior tailback Bobby Grebenc, who is averaging more than 6 yards per carry.
As for the kicking games, senior Jesse Franklin has been a model of consistency for the Wildcats and St. Xavier can call on the powerful leg of senior Robert Leonard. After the Bombers took an intentional safety with 12 seconds remaining in the St. Edward game, Leonard, kicking from his 20, booted a “monstrous’’ 80-yard kickoff out of the end zone to seal the deal.
“I think this is a game in which field position is going to be huge,’’ said Coach Kyle, emphasizing how difficult it will be for either team to drive 80 yards. “And certainly you go back to the classic idea of turnovers. If somebody gets a break, it is going to be paramount.
“It is certainly the equivalent of a regional final, a state semifinal and a lot of times a Cincinnati school ends up playing a Cleveland school, so you fill in the rest. It could be that level of a contest.’’
PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
In last weekend’s 29-point victory over Inkster (Mich.), senior quarterback Mark Myers hit on 13 of his 14 pass attempts for 199 yards and three touchdowns. He was complemented by the running of junior tailback Bobby Grebenc, who combined balance, strength, vision and deceiving speed into 140 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 21 carries. And helping showing the way to 433 yards of total offense were senior tackles Joe Lavelle and Stewart Ross, junior guard Mike Ramos, senior guard Chris Chapek and senior center Drew Gatian.
DEFENSE
In a matchup with one of the premier players in the nation – Inkster senior quarterback and Michigan recruit Devin Gardner – senior safeties Kevin Hopkins and Kory Gillissie played solid roles. Hopkins, a quad-captain, made eight tackles, including six solos, had a pass deflection and a quarterback hit. Gillissie made four tackles, including a stop that helped stymie a potential scoring drive, came up with a diving interception that led to the Wildcats’ fourth touchdown and hurried the quarterback into an incompletion.
NIKE FOCUSING IN ON THE ‘CATS AND BOMBERS
Nike’s weekly feature, “Five Days to Friday Road Tour,’’ or in this case, Tuesday to Saturday, is putting the national light on the Wildcats and the St. Xavier-Saint Ignatius game.
“We’ve been going around filming some of the best high school football teams in the country and Saint Ignatius is one of those teams,’’ said Casey Littlejohn, a co-host for the Nike Tour. “I’m from Seattle, so it’s really a treat for me to get out here and see some of these great Ohio teams. Yeah, even in Seattle, we know that Ohio football is some of the best in the country. So this is a fantastic opportunity for us to help showcase your football to the entire nation and to see Saint Ignatius, with its 10 state championships and the great tradition here.’’
Nike will be filming the Wildcats’ practices and other weekly preparation, and will be at the St. Xavier game to film pre-game, game action and post-game atmosphere.
A TIME TO CHERISH
Former Saint Ignatius and Michigan State standout Brain Hoyer ’04 made his NFL debut this past Sunday as the New England Patriots scored a franchise-record 59 points in dominating the Tennessee Titans. Hoyer, who signed a free-agent contract with the Patriots in April after finishing his college career, is the back-up quarterback to All-Pro Tom Brady.
Brian made the most of his first regular-season opportunity as he directed a 12-play, 61-yard drive and capped it off by scoring on a 1-yard run. For the day, Brian completed 9 of 11 passes for 52 yards.
As Brian entered the game, CBS’s award-winning announcer, anchor and play-by-play voice Jim Nance described him as a product of Saint Ignatius and went to say some nice words about the school and Coach Kyle.
BACK HOME FOR A VISIT
Taking in the Wildcats’ practice on Tuesday was former baseball and football standout Frank DeSico ’09.
Frank, who is attending the University of Notre Dame on a baseball scholarship, helped Saint Ignatius to its record 10th state football championship last fall by excelling as a special-teams player and a wide receiver. Who among the Wildcats faithful will ever forget his two punt returns – each of 72 yards – that went for touchdowns in the 50-0, Week 8 victory over Cincinnati LaSalle?
A standout midfielder, Frank also played a major role in the Wildcats establishing a school record by advancing to the state final four in baseball for three consecutive seasons. He has a strong chance to land a starting role at second base for the Fighting Irish.
When asked if he misses football, Frank replied: “Every day.’’
Cincinnati St. Xavier versus Saint Ignatius varsity football recap – posted on 10/24/09.
ANOTHER CLASSY AND WILL TESTING MATCHUP
Behind a resilient and opportunistic offense, and a defense that adjusted at halftime, the Wildcats turn back the Bombers in what was the state’s marquee game this weekend.
“We lost to a heck of a football team today.’’ – St. Xavier coach Steve Specht.
1989 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS TAKE A BOW.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, Oct. 2009
Anthony Luvison’s uniform was covered with fragments of turf.
The green that clung to Luvison's dark-blue jersey spoke volumes for the effort he and his Saint Ignatius teammates left on the field Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats, rebounding from a tough start, came on strong in the second half and defeated a team that in many ways is a mirror image of what Saint Ignatius football is all about.
With Luvison combining with gifted senior quarterback Mark Myers on clutch receptions, the Wildcats’ defense disrupting St. Xavier’s offensive flow in the second half and junior tailback Bobby Grebenc finding that second gear time and again, Saint Ignatius prevailed, 30-21, at John Carroll University’s Don Shula Stadium.
The Wildcats, the No.1 team in the OHSAA Division I, Region 1 computer-playoff ratings, improved to 9-0 and extended their winning streak to 23 games. Coach Chuck Kyle’s team entered Saturday’s matchup with the Bombers having already clinched a state-record 22nd consecutive appearance in the big-school playoffs.
St. Xavier (7-2), which has locked up its 16th trip to the postseason out of Division I, Region 4, boarded the busses back to the Queen City knowing that its storied series with Saint Ignatius is now all even at eight wins apiece.
“It’s an unbelievable experience,’’ said Luvison of the opportunity to play against the Bombers, who, like the Wildcats, represent a Jesuit tradition. “It’s like Coach Kyle said about them, they do it right. And we do it right. We just play the game because we love to play it.
“This is the epitome of a rival school,’’ Luvison continued. “Another Jesuit school, a great football program, this was just so much fun. The atmosphere was great today at John Carroll. I mean I just really enjoyed it. I loved it.’’
And the Wildcats’ faithful were loving every moment after Luvison, a senior wide receiver, defensive back and quad-captain, hauled in an 11-yard pass from Myers on a fourth-and-6 from the St. Xavier 31. Following an incomplete pass and an illegal procedure penalty, Luvison ran another precise route and snatched a 14-yard bullet from Myers that set up a third-and-1 from the 11.
Myers converted the third down with a 2-yard keeper and three plays later the University of Pittsburgh recruit displayed his powerful left arm again by throwing a 9-yard touchdown strike to junior wideout David Joseph as two defenders were closing in on Joseph in the right corner of the end zone. Senior Jesse Franklin kicked the extra point and Saint Ignatius led, 23-14, with 8 minutes, 7 seconds remaining to be played.
In improving his season totals to 1,424 yards passing and 15 TD passes, Myers was 18-of-28 for 172 yards. Luvison had four receptions for 45 yards and senior tight end and Pitt recruit Brendan Carozzoni grabbed three passes for 44 yards.
St. Xavier, whose other setback this season was to Kentucky power Highlands, 12-7, answered Joseph’s TD catch with a 10-play, 59-yard drive. Standout senior defensive lineman/fullback Nigel Muhammad scored on a 1-yard run and, after the ensuing extra point by senior Robert Leonard, the Bombers trailed by two points with 4:20 left.
It was at that point the Wildcats flashed the credentials that have led Coach Kyle’s program to an Ohio-record 10 Division I state championships.
Starting on its 20-yard line, Saint Ignatius, behind Myers and Grebenc, moved to a first down at the Wildcats’ 43.
On second-and-nine from the 44, Grebenc slashed through a hole over right side, picked up another block and, displaying a second burst, outran the pursuit for a 56-yard touchdown with 1:47 remaining. Franklin’s all-important extra point made it a two-score advantage and the Saint Ignatius defense took care of the rest.
“We had a 40-99 called where Mark could either keep it, pass it or hand it off,’’ said Grebenc, who finished with 135 yards rushing on 22 carries and now has 15 touchdowns and 1,015 yards rushing on the season. “Mark had a great read on it, our line did a great job, (senior wideout) Tucker Sorrell had an outstanding block on the outside and I just broke away.’’
St. Xavier, which defeated the Wildcats by three points in triple overtime in 2007 and lost to Saint Ignatius by three points in overtime last season, took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter off an impressive 12-play, 90-yard drive.
Saint Ignatius then played opportunistic football as a fumble recovery by senior safety Kory Gillissie resulted in a 32-yard field goal by Franklin. After senior cornerback George Newrones and Gillissie helped force a fumble that was recovered by senior outside linebacker Jake Ryan, Franklin was high and true on a 31-yard field goal that cut the deficit to 7-6.
Thanks to a leaping interception in the end zone by Wildcats senior cornerback/tailback Kevin Johnson, it stayed a one-point game entering halftime. K. J. was involved in 10 tackles.
“We knew they were sort of hurting us in the middle on the running game,’’ said Saint Ignatius’ veteran defensive coordinator Dan Corrigan ’78 of a St. Xavier offense that was fueled in the first half by promising sophomore tailback Conor Hundley and senior quarterback and University of Cincinnati recruit Luke Massa. “Because of their formation, our outside stunts weren’t really getting there. (Senior linebacker) Scott McVey’s our best guy, so we wanted to get in a defense where we could exploit Scott. And a lot of times they were worried about Scott and that opened up the seams for the other guys.
“A couple of times, their guys cut from Scott’s attack and into an unblocked linebacker or defensive lineman. So it worked out pretty well, like we hoped it would and it did.’’
Bombers head coach Steve Specht, who was Coach Kyle’s defensive coordinator this past summer as Team USA rolled to the Gold Medal in the IFAF Junior World Championship, concurred with Coach Corrigan’s assessment of the impact Ohio State recruit McVey had on the game in the second half.
“Everybody saw it,’’ Specht said. “You’ve got one of the best players in the country in Scott McVey moving all over the place causing havoc. We didn’t adjust to it real well and that’s on me. That’s nobody else’s fault but mine, and I’m going to work on it and get back to the drawing board.’’
Taking advantage of a shank punt, the Wildcats turned a short field into a 36-yard field goal by Franklin and a 9-7 lead with 7:11 to go in the third quarter.
Less than two minutes later, Saint Ignatius’ defense came up big again as Newrones returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown. Franklin’s PAT extended the ‘Cats lead to 16-7.
Massa and Co. had an answer, however, this time a six-play, 80-yard drive that featured a 17-yard touchdown pass from Massa to sure-handed senior receiver Jeff Kraemer with 3:10 left in the third quarter. Massa threw for 208 yards.
“It took 48 minutes to win that ballgame, and that’s what we did,’’ said Wildcats senior safety and quad-captain Kevin Hopkins, who made a point to praise St. Xavier for the hard-nosed, yet classy approach Coach Specht’s team brings to the field.
And class is something Hopkins and the rest of the Wildcats see every day in practice from the man who is in his 27th season as head coach at his alma mater.
“Going against a team like St. Xavier forces you to get better,’’ said Coach Kyle ’69, who will have little time to savor the victory over the Bombers as the Wildcats close their regular season against staunch rival St. Edward on Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. in Lakewood Stadium. “When you start looking at it before the game, you go: ‘Well both teams (Saint Ignatius and St. Xavier) are in the playoffs, what are we playing this for?’
"We’re playing it because this is a great game. We’re going to play and we’re going to learn. That’s what happens here.’’
VIEW ‘CATS-BOMBERS: If you want to check out some of the color and sounds from the Saint Ignatius-Cincinnati St. Xavier game you can do so starting Monday by going to MaxPreps.com/5Days2Friday.
1989 WAS SO FINE
Prior to the kickoff to Saturday's game, Saint Ignatius paid tribute to its 1989 team, which captured the school's second Division I state championship and the first of the Wildcats' three national titles. The seniors on the '89 team finished their high school football careers unbeaten on all three levels - freshman, junior varsity and varsity.
SAINT IGNATIUS-ST. EDWARD VARSITY FOOTBALL PREVIEW – Posted on 10/28/09 at 12:24 a.m.
WILDCATS TRAVEL TO LAKEWOOD STADIUM FOR A HALLOWEEN MATINEE AGAINST THE EAGLES.
ST. EDWARD’S DEFENSE AND RUNNING GAME CAN BE SCARY PROPOSITIONS.
TOP PERFORMANCES FROM THE ST. XAVIER GAME ARE ANNOUNCED AND BY THE NUMBERS WITH THE ‘CATS AND THE EAGLES.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, Oct. 2009
Even if you are just a casual fan of area high school football, by now you have heard all of the hoopla, historical or mythical, that surrounds the Saint Ignatius-St. Edward football rivalry.
In their previous 45 meetings, the Wildcats and the Eagles have played some legendary tunes on the gridiron and in 1993 they even produced “a classic.’’
That was the year, Oct. 23, 1993 to be exact, when Saint Ignatius prevailed, 35-34, in triple overtime and went on to capture its fifth Division I state championship and the second of its three national titles.
The effort each team put forth that dry and crisp Saturday night at Lakewood Stadium was so impressive that national publications labeled it as the high school game of the year. More than 13,000 fans jammed their way into the “Madhouse on Madison’’ and others stood on the roofs and hoods of their cars trying to get a glimpse of the action and causing a traffic jam along Madison Avenue in the process.
While the 1993 matchup was one of the greatest games in the history of Ohio high school football, there have been other notable encounters in a series that stands at 24-20-1 in favor of the Wildcats.
The Eagles would capture overtime victories at Lakewood Stadium in 1996 and 2001. Last season, Saint Ignatius, en route to its record 10th big-school state championship, defeated St. Edward during Week 10 of the regular season and came right back the next week and eliminated the Eagles in a first-round playoff game. It marked the first time the staunch West Side rivals met in the postseason.
There also have been, shall we say, some not-so-memorable games between the Eagles and the ‘Cats.
Saint Ignatius won five of the first six meetings (1952-57). But when the rivalry was renewed in 1971, it was pretty much all St. Edward as the “Big Green Machine’’ posted a 14-2-1 advantage from ’71 through 1987. That was followed by a strong run by Coach Chuck Kyle’s Wildcats, who won 17 of the next 22 matchups from 1988 through last year.
That brings us to this week and what will be a 2 p.m. kickoff on Saturday at Lakewood Stadium, as both teams wrap up their regular seasons.
The game was originally slated for the evening, but the City of Lakewood asked the schools to move it to the afternoon because of safety issues surrounding the Halloween Trick or Treating that begins at 6 p.m.
SportsTime Ohio will be televising the game, WHKW 1220AM will bring you the action live and it will also be sent live over the Web by the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Club. Al Pawlowski, Mike Gibbons and David Bly will provide the action for WHKW and the spirited voices of Jacob Corrigan ’10 and Michael Watts ’11 will keep you on the edge of your seats over the Web.
“This is a game, as people over the years have said, where the records really don’t mean that much,’’ said Coach Kyle ’69, referencing to his team’s 9-0 mark and the Eagles’ record of 4-5. “All of these kids are going to play hard, so it’s going to be a battle.’’
Coach Kyle emphasized that you can not compare scores when it comes to Saint Ignatius and St. Edward. The fact that his Wildcats defeated Mentor, Inkster (Mich.) and Cincinnati St. Xavier, and the Eagles were defeated by those teams, will mean nothing come Saturday.
“This is a different scenario,’’ Kyle said. “This is a different game.’’
Saint Edward, which will need a victory over Saint Ignatius and some help from other teams to qualify for the OHSAA Region 1 quarterfinal playoffs, features a strong defense, depth, speed and skill at running back with Terrell Bates and Co., and an excellent kicking game led by Mike DiNunzio.
Like the Wildcats, the Eagles have played a who’s who schedule. After Saturday, St. Edward will have closed its regular season by having played consecutive games against the top three teams – Saint Ignatius, Cincinnati Moeller and St. Xavier – in last week’s Division I state poll.
“The first part of the year (St. Edward) was working from a three-front defensively,’’ said Coach Kyle, who has guided his Wildcats to a state-record 22nd consecutive appearance in the OHSAA big-school playoffs. “They’ve gone to more of a four-front and their front four are pretty good. They really get nice and low and they’ve been pushing back some very good offensive lines the past few weeks.
“Their speed in the secondary is excellent. I see all of those guys in track season. They can sprint. And offensively they run the ball pretty well and blend in some play action. Their kids have hung in there and have played hard all the way.’’
To offset the Eagles’ defensive charge, Kyle and his staff will look for the Wildcats to continue the balance they have displayed over the last month.
Saint Ignatius enters Saturday’s game with a 1,000-plus yards rusher in junior tailback Bobby Grebenc (1,015) and a quarterback in senior Mark Myers who has passed for 15 touchdowns and 1,424 yards. Grebenc and Myers operate behind an underrated offensive line.
And, in what has been a challenge they have taken on all season, the Wildcats will have to rise to the occasion defensively and slow down an Eagles offense that has big-play capability and size up front.
For those of you who have inquired, Saturday will not mark the first time the Eagles and the Wildcats have squared off in the afternoon. In fact, two of the first three games in the series – 1953 and ’54 – were played on a Sunday afternoon at St. Edward’s field.
PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
The honors go out to senior kicker Jesse Franklin, junior tailback Bobby Grebenc and senior wide receiver Anthony Luvison.
Franklin, who is also a mainstay for the Wildcats’ final-four baseball program, kicked three clutch field goals of 31, 32 and 36 yards, was high and true on three extra points, sent three kickoffs deep into the end zone for touchbacks and booted a fourth kickoff that went into the end zone and wasn’t called a touchback in the dramatic 30-21 over Cincinnati power St. Xavier.
Grebenc, who surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the season, carried the ball 22 times for 135 yards and scored the game-clinching touchdown, his 15th on the season, with a 56-yard burst with 1 minute, 47 seconds remaining.
Luvison, who also plays a key role in the defensive secondary and on special teams, and is one of the Wildcats’ four captains, had four clutch receptions for 45 yards, including two – one off a fourth-and-6 from the St. Xavier 31 and one off a second -and-15 from the Bombers’ 25 – that led to a TD reception by junior wideout David Joseph and a 23-14 lead with 8:07 left.
DEFENSE
Making a case for the defense were senior linebacker and quad-captain Scott McVey, senior cornerback Kevin Johnson and senior defensive back George Newrones.
In drawing praise from St. Xavier’s highly respected head coach Steve Specht, McVey, an Ohio State recruit, helped disrupt the Bombers’ offensive flow in a turn-around second half. Scott had two big tackles for losses, five quarterback hits and hurried the quarterback into an incompletion at a pivotal time in the game.
K.J., as Johnson’s teammates refer to him, totaled 10 tackles, including eight solos and two for minus yardage, made a big-time interception in the end zone that kept the Wildcats’ deficit at one point entering halftime, and had a QB hurry.
Newrones, who plays with a heart bigger than Saint Ignatius’ campus, made seven tackles, including five solos, returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown, forced a fumble, had a pass deflection and hurried the quarterback.
SAINT IGNATIUS AND ST. EDWARD, BY THE NUMBERS
Before you start going through your kids’ Halloween bags and picking out a few treats that are “not healthy’’ for them, but just perfect for your palate, here are some numbers to chew on.
THE RULES OF 15
When the Wildcats score 13 or less points versus St. Edward, they are 0-18.
When the ‘Cats score 14 points against the Eagles they are 2-1-1 and when they score 15 or more points against St. Ed, they are 22-1.
OLD RIVALS LEAD THE LIST
AT TIMES THIS SEASON, IT HAS BEEN THE “CARDIAC ‘CATS’’
Saturday’s matchup between the ‘Cats and the Eagles will be the 46th in their series. But neither team is the other’s longest-standing rival.
St. Edward met the Vikings of St. Joseph/Villa Angela-St. Joseph 48 times between 1950 and 1995. Saint Ignatius played Holy Name 70 times between 1919 and 1993 and the Wildcats have also taken on Rhodes 54 times and John Marshall 48 times.
This season, the Wildcats have trailed at some point in the game to all six of the Ohio teams they have faced.
And finally, Coach Kyle is 19-3 all-time in Week 10 games, with bye weeks coming in 1996, 2000, 2005 and 2006.
St. Edward versus Saint Ignatius varsity football recap. Story was posted on 10/31/09.
Wildcats turn to quick strikes, authoritative drives and defensive adjustments in defeating the Eagles for the fourth consecutive time.
No tricks, but plenty of treats for the ‘Cats’ faithful on Bunts and Madison.
Familiar foe Boardman will be the first-round playoff opponent.
Marine Corps honors current and former players and a week to remember.
By Eddie Dwyer
Saint Ignatius’ talented and tireless senior outside linebacker Jake Ryan made a few things clear after he and his teammates defeated their staunch rival St. Edward in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 in Lakewood Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
“Our front six are solid,’’ Ryan said, referring to Saint Ignatius’ defensive line and linebackers. “St. Eds was all over the place, running the ball well. But we adjusted, we pursued.’’
Pursued, tackled and eventually won the battle up front and, more importantly, the battle of wills.
Saint Ignatius, putting together its first unbeaten regular season since 2000, wore down the Eagles, 28-0, in the 46th meeting in what is one of the state’s more intense rivalries.
The Wildcats (10-0), who have wrapped up the No. 1 seed in Division I, Region 1, will make a state-record 22nd consecutive playoff appearance when they face the eighth seed Boardman (7-3) in a regional quarterfinal on Saturday night in Parma’s Robert M. Boulton Stadium. The kickoff on Byers Field will be 7 p.m.
Saint Ignatius has defeated Boardman 14 times in 17 previous meetings, including a 41-6 victory in a state-semifinal matchup in 1995.
St. Edward, hampered by the injuries and inconsistencies that accompanied its demanding schedule, was eliminated from any postseason competition at 4-6.
“It’s always a good feeling,’’ Ryan said after Saint Ignatius defeated the Eagles for the fourth consecutive time, including twice in 2008, and improved its lead in the all-time series to 25-20-1. “We’ll just take it from here. We’re 0-0 right now heading to the playoffs.’’
The Wildcats, who have now outscored St. Edward, 99-12, in their last three meetings combined, had to adjust to the Eagles’ “Wildcat’’ offense in the early going.
After forcing a punt, Saint Ignatius silenced some of the St. Edward faithful by putting together a six-play, 91-yard drive that featured a 50-yard touchdown burst over the left side by multitalented junior tailback Bobby Grebenc.
“We had a stretch called,’’ said Grebenc, who finished with 113 yards rushing on 16 carries and now has 1,128 yards rushing on the season. “Anthony Luvison (senior wide receiver/defensive back) pinned the cornerback inside, so the hole was as wide as I could hope for.’’
Following a strong third-down defensive charge by Ryan, senior end Pat Dowd and senior middle linebacker Owen Callahan, the Eagles had to punt the ball away again.
The Wildcats, taking possession at their 32, needed just one play to get into the end zone as they struck on a perfectly thrown ball from senior quarterback Mark Myers to gritty and gifted wide receiver David Joseph. Joseph, a 5-foot-8, 160-pound junior, made a text-book catch along the left sideline, separated himself from the defender and outran the pursuit to complete a 68-yard touchdown. Senior Jesse Franklin kicked his second extra point and Saint Ignatius led, 14-0, with 28 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Joseph finished with three receptions for 96 yards.
“Our goal is to come out and score on every drive, every possession,’’ said Myers, who completed 13 of his 17 throws for 223 yards and will enter the playoffs having passed for 1,648 yards and 17 touchdowns. "The first drive was a huge hit for them and brought a lot of confidence to our team. We knew we could win at that point.’’
St. Edward, continuing to attack with “The Wildcat’’ and quarterback scrambles out of a shotgun offense, drove from its 25 to a first down at the Saint Ignatius 36.
At that point, Wildcats All-Ohio senior linebacker Scott McVey came off the edge and recorded a quarterback sack for minus 9 yards. After an incomplete pass and a run for 4 yards, the Eagles attempted a 57-yard field goal that fell well short of its destination with 49 seconds left in the first half.
“We just had to change our mindset, knowing they we’re going to try to run at us,’’ said McVey, an Ohio State recruit. “We knew we were just going to have to step up, stop playing on our heels and go after them.’’
Saint Ignatius, which extended its winning streak to 24 games, took command by taking the second-half kickoff and marching 80 yards in nine plays. The three-minute, 39-second drive, which featured clutch receptions by senior wideout Tucker Sorrell, Luvison, Joseph and promising sophomore tight end Blake Thomas, was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Grebenc and another extra point by Franklin.
“We dominated them the whole drive,’’ said Myers, a University of Pittsburgh recruit. “It was pretty much a perfect drive.’’
After senior end Gerry Ramella fueled another defensive stand with an impressive hustle sack, the Wildcats’ offense left no doubt by coming up with a march that took the fight out of the Eagles – a 13-play, 79-yard effort that ate up more than six minutes. Joseph and junior tight end Zach Strippy hauled in passes from Myers that resulted in key first downs and Grebenc found the end zone one more time by grabbing a swing pass from Myers and rambling across the goal line from 13 yards out. Grebenc upped his season total to 18 touchdowns.
“You have to give (St. Edward) credit, their game plan was to keep our offense on the sideline,’’ said Chuck Kyle ’69, who has guided his Wildcats to an Ohio-best 10 Division I state championships and three national crowns. “St. Eds was eating up some clock. That drive (to start the second half) I am very, very pleased with, because the challenge was there at 14-0. The wind’s in our face and we drive right down the field. That was excellent, that’s what we needed.’’
Saint Ignatius totaled 381 yards of offense on 49 plays and the Eagles finished with 180 yards on 45 plays.
After the game, the United States Marine Corps, as part of their “Great American Rivalry Series,’’ presented an impressive team trophy to Coach Kyle and his players, and a sharp-looking game MVP trophy to Grebenc.
During halftime, the Marine Corps honored two former players from the Saint Ignatius vs. St. Edward rivalry - Wildcats assistant coach Josiah Kedzior '04 and Eagles record-setting tailback Danny Andrews.
In the fall of 2003, "Juice'' Kedzior led Saint Ignatius past St. Edward, 20-17, by hauling in four passes from Brian Hoyer '04 for 80 yards and a touchdown and kicking two extra points and two field goals, including the game-winning FG. During the week of the 2003 St. Edward game, this corner selected "Juice'' as The Plain Dealer's "Difference Maker.''
Andrews, another player I had the privilege and pleasure to cover, never lost to the Wildcats in his varsity career. In leading a 12-0 victory over Saint Ignatius in 1984, Danny rushed for 177 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Danny went on to an outstanding career at Baldwin-Wallace College and is a member of the St. Edward Hall of Fame.
A FAB FOUR-BAGGER: During Halloween Week, the Wildcats not only defeated St. Edward in varsity football and soccer, but also were victorious in their junior-varsity and freshman football games against the Eagles.
BOARDMAN VERSUS SAINT IGNATIUS DIVISION I, REGION 1 QUARTERFINAL PLAYOFF PREVIEW – STORY WAS POSTED ON 11/04/09 at 12:25 a.m.
The Wildcats and the Spartans will be meeting for the 18th time since 1992
Coach Kyle points to Boardman’s physicality up front, athletic quarterback and twin-tower receivers
We highlight the top performers from the St. Edward game, throw out some weekly numbers to whet your appetite for Saturday night and recognize a touch of class.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, Nov. 2009
Saint Ignatius’ gifted and hard-nosed senior safety Kevin Hopkins is no stranger to this time of the year, a month when the gales come early and are accompanied by a brisk reminder that there will be no making up for mistakes next week.
If we can borrow a line from The NBA on TNT, it is “Win or Go Home’’ time in Ohio high school football.
“We have to treat every game as though it is the last one,’’ said Hopkins, who was a standout special-teams player/defensive back on the Wildcats’ 2008 state-championship squad and this season serves as one of Coach Chuck Kyle’s four captains. “We have to go out there, play 48 minutes of Saint Ignatius football and get a W.’’
The Saint Ignatius football Hopkins referred to has created many memorable November Ws, including those that led to an Ohio-record 10 Division I state championships.
On Saturday, Coach Kyle ’69 will send his Wildcats (10-0) into a state-best 22nd consecutive playoff appearance, as Saint Ignatius will face Boardman (7-3) in a Region 1 quarterfinal at Parma’s Robert M. Boulton Stadium. The kickoff on Byers Field will be 7 p.m.
Featuring gridiron poets Jacob Corrigan ’10 and Michael Watts ’11, the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Club will bring you the game live over the Web and WHK 1420AM will also air the game live beginning with a pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. Ed Daugherty and Mike Gibbons will have the call for WHK.
Although the Wildcats lead their series with Spartans, 14-3, and have won the past five meetings, Saturday will mark only the second time they have played the Youngstown-area school in the postseason.
En route to its seventh state championship and the third of its three national titles, Saint Ignatius defeated Boardman, 41-6, in a state-semifinal matchup in 1995. Most of the current Wildcats were 3 years old when that game took place.
The most significant of the Spartans’ three triumphs over Saint Ignatius came during Week 5 of the 1994 season, when Boardman defeated the visiting Wildcats, 18-14, and snapped Saint Ignatius’ 38-game winning streak. Saint Ignatius’ longest winning streak is 39 games, which stretched from the final two games of 1987 through the regular season of 1990. The ‘Cats have also put together a 25-game winning streak and have currently won 24 games in a row.
Boardman is the alma mater of former Browns great Bernie Kosar, who garnered All-Ohio and Parade All-American honors as the Spartans’ quarterback in the early 1980s.
“When you look at the teams they are playing, year in and year out, that is a good quality group of teams,’’ said Coach Kyle of Boardman’s tough schedule. “They had a huge game against Austintown Fitch (last week), a wonderful game against Fitch. They came back and won it. So they’re a team that plays with a lot of faith. They were down, they came back to tie it and it went in overtime.
“Their defensive line is pretty physical,’’ Kyle continued. “The battle up front is classic football, but I think it holds true. We’re going to be very concerned about that very early – how effective we are at the line scrimmage.’’
Spartans quarterback Rob Boyd is an athlete that has the attention of Coach Kyle and his staff. A 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior, Boyd has passed for 1,643 yards and nine touchdowns and has rushed for 309 yards and seven touchdowns.
“He throws a nice ball,’’ Kyle said of Boyd. “And he’ll run the ball 15 times a game, maybe more. He shows speed and good balance, so he’s a double threat there. They’ll spread everybody out and here’s Boyd, who can throw or run. You think you have them third-and-long and all of a sudden he can just take off and get the first downs.’’
Boardman, which will be making its seventh playoff appearance, features two tall and tough-matchup receivers in 6-5 senior Chase Hammond and 6-6 sophomore Dayne Hammond. The Hammonds also play the safety positions on defense. Chase Hammond has 38 receptions for 700 yards and helps make things easier for junior halfback Nick Buonavolonta, who has rushed for 735 yards and nine touchdowns on 100 carries.
“They’re a solid team, always have been,’’ said Coach Kyle, who also singled out the Spartans’ outstanding kicker, senior Trevor Ragan, and Boardman’s 4-4 defense.
The Wildcats, who this past weekend completed their first undefeated regular season since 2000 and finished No. 1 in The Plain Dealer’s final seven-county poll, will probably face Boardman without one of their linchpins on defense.
Senior outside linebacker Jake Ryan, the team’s leading tackler, suffered a thumb injury that is expected to sideline him for a week. Junior Tyler Kette and promising sophomore James Sheehan are among those who would get the call to fill in for Ryan and Coach Kyle will count on veteran linebackers Scott McVey and Owen Callahan, along with seasoned ends Gerry Ramella and Pat Dowd, to hold things together. McVey, an Ohio State recruit, is coming off a solid all-around performance against St. Edward.
With Boardman showing a preference to an eight-man look up front on defense, Saint Ignatius will counter with a balanced offense that features the 1-2 punch of senior quarterback Mark Myers and junior tailback Bobby Grebenc.
Entering Saturday night’s game, the 6-5 Myers, a University of Pittsburgh recruit, has completed 116 of 203 passes for 1,648 yards and 17 touchdowns. The southpaw has thrown just three interceptions.
Grebenc, one of the most complete backs in Northeast Ohio, has rushed for 1,128 yards and 17 touchdowns, is averaging nearly 6 yards a carry and has 17 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown.
TOP PERFORMANCES FROM WEEK 10
Offense
The above mentioned duo of Myers and Grebenc, and junior wide receiver David Joseph are The Corner’s picks from the 28-0 victory over St. Edward.
Grebenc set the tempo with a 50-yard touchdown burst in the first quarter and highlighted drives of 80 and 79 yards in the third quarter by scoring on a 1-yard run and a 13-yard reception from Myers. Bobby finished with 113 yards rushing on 16 carries.
Joseph stunned the Eagles by hauling in a 68-yard touchdown pass from Myers, a text-book catch and run along the press-box sideline in Lakewood Stadium and an effort that resulted in a 14-0 lead with 28 seconds left in the opening quarter. Joseph, who also made two other clutch receptions for first downs, finished with three catches for 96 yards.
Myers played a near flawless game, completing 13 of 17 passes for 223 yards and engineering two drives that offensive coordinators dream about.
Defense
Leading a defense that made the adjustments and came up big from the second quarter on against the Eagles were Ryan, McVey and Ramella.
Jake made 15 tackles, including eight solos and three tackles for minus yardage, and came up with a highlight-reel leaping deflection at the line of scrimmage.
McVey was in on nine tackles, including four behind the line of scrimmage and a momentum-swinging sack, hurried the quarterback into an incompletion and made some authoritative lead blocks for Grebenc from his fullback position.
Ramella, who never gives up on a play, totaled six tackles, including a key hustle sack and two other stops for losses.
BY THE NUMBERS
In postseason games at Byers Field, St Ignatius is 17-4. The losses were to Solon in a 2000 regional final, to Mentor in a 2003 regional semifinal and to Glenville in regional quarterfinals in 2006 and ’07.
In what was a Spartan effort, Boardman finished as the big-school state runner-up in 1987 after losing to Cincinnati Princeton, 14-7, in the championship game. En route to the title game, the Spartans won a Region 1 championship by defeating a Euclid team that featured a sophomore tailback named Robert Smith and a St. Joseph squad that was led by tailback Desmond Howard and quarterback Elvis Grbac. Boardman defeated St. Joseph, 20-19, in triple overtime.
Smith, who was the greatest high school running back these Irish eyes have seen, went on to stardom at Ohio State and an All-Pro career for the Minnesota Vikings. Howard won a Heisman Trophy at the University of Michigan and was a Super Bowl MVP for the Green Bay Packers, and Grbac had a solid career at Michigan and in the NFL. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2000.
And, while we’re on the subject of numbers and accomplishments, how about the effort Ed Daugherty, the veteran voice of Wildcats football, is going to put forth on Saturday?
After doing his 2 p.m. broadcast of the Case Western Reserve at Carnegie Mellon game in Pittsburgh, Easy Ed will jump in his car and make the trip to Ridge Road and Day Drive for the 7 p.m. WHK broadcast of Saint Ignatius versus Boardman. Pittsburgh to Parma, it kind of has a ring to it.
A CLASS ACT
St. Edward’s first-year head coach Rick Finotti carried the obligatory post-game handshake to a higher and much classier level on Saturday.
Nearly three hours after the St. Edward-Saint Ignatius game, Coach Finotti called Chuck Kyle, congratulated him again and wished Chuck and the Wildcats nothing but the best in the postseason. Finotti also told Coach Kyle that he would like to sit down with him some time and pick his brain over this crazy, but great game we all love.
This corner said it right here when Coach Finotti was hired. The Eagles not only have a bright young coach, but a man who carries himself with class. And that my friends will only add to a great rivalry and make it something both sides can look forward to for years to come.
BOARDMAN VERSUS SAINT IGNATIUS PLAYOFF FOOTBALL RECAP.
LED BY GIFTED JUNIOR DAVID JOSEPH, THE WILDCATS’ RECEIVERS STEP UP AGAINST THE SPARTANS. DEPTH ALSO PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN THE SHUTOUT VICTORY.
Story posted on 11/08/09 at 2:23 a.m.
By Eddie Dwyer
Displaying the same composure he brings to the field, Saint Ignatius’ gritty and sure-handed junior wideout David Joseph talked about the one thing you must have when it comes to playoff football in the talent-rich state of Ohio.
“We have depth, and that’s what you need,’’ Joseph said. “Everybody steps up. When you’re called upon, you step up.’’
And no Wildcat took bigger steps on Saturday night than the 5-foot-8, 160-pound Joseph.
Saint Ignatius, making a state-record 22nd consecutive playoff appearance, defeated a tough Boardman team, 17-0, in a Division I regional quarterfinal on Byers Field in Parma’s Robert M. Boulton Stadium.
With the victory, Coach Chuck Kyle’s Wildcats improved to 11-0, extended their winning streak to 25 games and advanced to next Saturday’s regional-semifinal showdown with the talent-laden Glenville Tarblooders (10-1). The kickoff in Lakewood Stadium will be 7 p.m.
Saint Ignatius defeated Glenville, 14-13, on opening night this season and, en route to its record 10th Division I state championship, edged the Tarblooders, 8-7, in a 2008 regional semifinal at Lakewood Stadium.
Boardman, the big-school state runner-up in 1987, wrapped up its seventh postseason appearance with a very deceiving record of 7-4.
“It’s all about hard work,’’ said Joseph, who finished with four receptions for 129 yards, including a fabulous 79-yard catch and run for a touchdown, an effort that gave the Wildcats a two-touchdown lead in the second quarter. “Every single day at practice Coach Kyle makes us work as hard as we can. We work hard and fast so we can leave it all on the field. And that’s what we do every game.’’
As is his nature, Joseph was quick to point out some of his teammates who “stepped up’’ against Boardman, including sophomore tight end Blake Thomas, who was filling in for standout senior and University of Pittsburgh recruit Brendan Carozzoni (knee injury), junior offensive tackle Mason Halter, who for the second straight week did a solid job in place of senior mainstay Stewart Ross (knee injury), and sophomore linebacker James Sheehan, who admirably filled the void left by a thumb injury to senior linebacker and leading tackler Jake Ryan. Carozzoni, Ross and Ryan are listed as probable for next weekend’s Glenville game.
The 6-3, 215-pound Thomas wasted little time in making his presence felt as he made a quick read on his route and hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Mark Myers. Senior Jesse Franklin kicked the extra point and Saint Ignatius led, 7-0, with 53 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The 30-yard drive was set up by a 12-yard punt by the Spartans into a stiff wind.
With Boardman employing an eight-man front on defense that was designed to control Wildcats junior tailback Bobby Grebenc and his previous 1,128 yards rushing, the pressure fell on Coach Kyle’s receivers and the powerful left arm of Myers, another Pitt recruit.
The top-ranked team in both the Associated Press Division I state poll and The Plain Dealer’s seven-county Top 25, Saint Ignatius is no stranger to pressure.
Taking possession at their 14 with four minutes, 58 seconds left in the first half, the Wildcats covered the 86 yards in just five plays. After a holding penalty resulted in a third-and 19 from the 21, Myers dropped back, stepped to his left and hit Joseph in stride at the 50. Joseph never stopped as he separated himself from the cornerback, picked up a key block and outran the pursuit into the end zone. Franklin’s extra point was high and true, and Saint Ignatius led, 14-0, with 3:31 to go in the half.
“The play was designed, everybody was doing flies,’’ Joseph said. “I was open and Mark hit me early, which is good, so I can run with the ball. Tucker Sorrell (senior wideout) had a great block for me and as soon as I got around that guy Tucker blocked, I knew I had it.’’
Joseph's hookup with Myers is the second-longest touchdown pass in Saint Ignatius' playoff history. In the 1989 state-championship game victory over Cincinnati Moeller, quarterback Joe Pickens '90 combined with his lifelong friend Mark Ruddy '90 on an 80-yard TD strike.
The Wildcats, whose current 25-game winning streak ties for the third-longest in the school’s rich football history, behind streaks of 39 and 38 games, pushed its lead to 17-0 on a 23-yard field goal by Franklin with 2:57 to go in the third quarter. Franklin’s effort was set up by a 33-yard punt return by multitalented senior safety Kory Gillissie, who had a strong night returning punts.
Saint Ignatius, which was slowed down in the second half by a fumble at the Spartans’ 24, untimely penalties and an aggressive Boardman defense, kept the Youngstown-area school at bay behind some sound defensive pressure. Helping show the way were senior linebacker and quad-captain Scott McVey, senior end Gerry Ramella, senior cornerback Kevin “K.J.’’ Johnson, senior safety and quad-captain Kevin Hopkins, senior corner George Newrones, senior middle backer Owen Callahan and Sheehan, who had a huge sack in the fourth quarter.
Along with Joseph’s big night, senior quad-captain Anthony Luvison totaled 100 yards on four receptions. Grebenc finished with a hard-earned 77 yards on the ground and Myers was 12-of-26 through the air for 273 yards, upping his season totals to 1,921 yards and 19 touchdown passes.
The Spartans, who snapped the Wildcats’ 38-game winning streak in Week 5 of 1994 at Boardman, got 154 yards passing from versatile senior quarterback Rob Boyd. Boyd was victimized by some dropped passes and was under constant pressure from McVey and Co. Saint Ignatius now leads its series with the Spartans, 15-3.
“They play tough, they’re a good football team,’’ Coach Kyle said of Coach D.J. Ogilivie’s Spartans and Boardman’s eight-in-the-box defense. “We felt with Mark (Myers) that we were going to find some seams here and there. We ended up getting a few big plays because a lot of times it was pretty much one-on-one with our receivers. And you have to take advantage of that when it happens.
“I think after the first game (this season) everybody kind of figured that was going to happen at some point,’’ Kyle said of another encounter with his friend, Coach Ted Ginn Sr., and the Glenville Tarblooders. "Needless to say, we have to get everybody back (from the injured list). Because we’re going to need everybody we can to play them. It will be another classic football game.’’
Glenville versus Saint Ignatius Division I Regional Semifinal Preview.
It is a rematch that has been anticipated for more than two months.
The Wildcats and the Tarblooders continue their short, yet already storied series.
We select the top performances from the Boardman game, look back on some Golden Tornado-Glenville football history, give you the stat line of the week, take another look at Stanford’s Luck and keep Coach Nick Restifo in our prayers as he mourns the death of his father, Frank.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, November 2009
It is as clear as though it was yesterday – a shank punt, a Mark Myers-to-Kory Gillissie touchdown pass on fourth down, and the ensuing extra-point kick by Jesse Franklin.
The result: Saint Ignatius 14, Glenville 13.
No, it wasn’t yesterday. For that matter, it wasn’t even last week.
But when the subject of gridiron meetings between the Tarblooders and the Wildcats comes up, the memories are so thick you have to wipe them from your eyes.
It is now nearly three months since that opening-night, one-point thriller at Byers Field and Saint Ignatius (11-0) and Glenville (10-1) are right where we expected them to be – gearing up for what is sure to be another classic between the two city schools, one Jesuit educated and the other public, who are about 15 minutes and 9 miles apart.
Although they did meet once in the “Roaring Twenties’’ (see history note below), the rivalry between the Tarblooders and the Wildcats didn’t take a center stage until 2003, when quarterback Brian Hoyer, now the backup to Tom Brady in New England, helped Saint Ignatius get by Glenville and the multitalented Ted Ginn Jr., 24-21, in a regional-quarterfinal playoff game at Bedford Bearcat Stadium. Ginn Jr., the son of Tarblooders’ legendary coach Ted Ginn Sr., is now a wide receiver and kick-return specialist for the Miami Dolphins.
In 2004, Coach Ginn Sr. guided his Tarblooders past the Wildcats, 22-14, in a regional final at Lakewood Stadium and Glenville was also victorious over Saint Ignatius in regional-quarterfinal matchups in 2006 and ’07 at Byers Field. The Tarblooders made it four in a row by coming away with a 3-point triumph over the Wildcats on opening night of 2008, again at Byers Field.
Saint Ignatius, en route to a record 10th Division I state championship, edged Glenville, 8-7, in a regional semifinal in ’08 that took place at a packed Lakewood Stadium.
So, counting their 1924 encounter, when Saint Ignatius went by a meteorological nickname, the series is tied at 4-4 heading into Saturday’s 7 p.m. regional semifinal in Lakewood Stadium, a.k.a. “The Madhouse on Madison.’’
Saturday’s game will be televised live by SportsTime Ohio and will be aired live over the Web by the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Club and two descriptive voices the late Grantland Rice would be proud of – Jacob Corrigan ’10 and Michael Watts ’11.
“You go back 11 weeks ago, and we had a real classic battle,’’ said Wildcats coach Chuck Kyle ’69 of the 14-13 game on Aug. 29. “And we found a way at the end to win. That’s really what happened.
“There were times they had momentum, times we had momentum. We caught a break at the end and we did something with it. But certainly at the end of the game, I think both teams felt, ‘Well, this won’t be the only time we’ll play (this season).’’’
Coach Kyle emphasized that the Tarblooders’ speed in their skilled areas is nothing less than outstanding.
“You just look at the other 10 games they’ve played, and I don’t think anybody has been within 21 points of them,’’ Kyle said. “It’s these big plays, a punt return, a kickoff return, a pass play that is a little hitch and they break away. It’s just amazing how explosive they are.’’
Leading Coach Ginn Sr.’s array of talent are senior Latwan Anderson, who excels at cornerback, safety, wide receiver, running back and returning kicks; senior Christian Bryant, another player who stands out at numerous positions on both sides of the ball; senior defensive end/outside linebacker Jayrone Elliott, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound diesel off the snap; senior offensive lineman Dajuan Calloway (6-5, 300 pounds) and junior offensive lineman Aundrey Walker (6-5, 330); senior Toney Foster, who is in the same mold with Anderson and Bryant; senior wide receiver Shane Belle; 6-4, 210-pound junior quarterback Cardale Jones, who passed for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season; four-year varsity mainstay at linebacker Rodnell Pierce; 6-4, 230-pound junior linebacker Andre Sturdivant; senior strong safety/special teams standout Aaron Morris; junior Shane Wynn, who is a flat out blur as a wideout and a kick returner; junior defensive tackle Antwon Crutcher (6-1, 270); and elusive and hard-nosed junior running back Robert Walton Jr.
Yes folks, Ginn Sr. says each one of the above mentioned is a “big-time’’ college prospect.
“We’re not the biggest guys, but I still like our defensive-line technique,’’ said Coach Kyle of senior ends Gerry Ramella and Pat Dowd, and senior nose tackles Cameron Ventling and Tom Krukemeyer. “Technically, we’re very good and we have to believe that is going to help us.’’
Kyle emphasized that as the season has progressed, Glenville has gone to different looks on defense. Basically a 4-3 team, the Tarblooders will do a 3-5 stack, like Saint Ignatius, and will employ a “Bear’’ formation, where linebackers line up over the center and the guards, cover them if you will, and the ends creep out. They will rush five to six guys out of the “Bear’’ and try to get you in one-and-one blocking situations.
The “Bear’’ did slow the Wildcats down a little bit in Week 1 and it is a formation the Tarblooders are very comfortable with because of their ability to cover one-on-one in the secondary.
“Hopefully, we’ve gotten better at recognizing changes,’’ Kyle said. “We’re veterans now, too.’’
The Wildcats should be near full strength on Saturday night as three mainstays come off the injured list – senior linebacker and leading tackler Jake Ryan, senior tight end and University of Pittsburgh recruit Brendan Carozzoni and standout senior offensive tackle Stewart Ross.
As was the case in Week 1, Saint Ignatius will need a big effort from its secondary, its special teams and its veteran linebackers – Ryan, Ohio State recruit Scott McVey and “mike backer’’ Owen Callahan.
Offensively, Coach Kyle and his staff will rely on 6-5, 225-pound senior quarterback Mark Myers, who is also a Pitt recruit, junior tailback Bobby Grebenc, junior wide receiver David Joseph and senior wideouts Tucker Sorrell and Anthony Luvison. Myers, a southpaw, has passed for 1,921 yards and 19 touchdowns, while throwing just three interceptions in 229 attempts. Grebenc has rushed for 1,205 yards, has scored 18 touchdowns and is averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and Joseph, Sorrell and Luvison have 28, 24 and 18 receptions, respectively. The 5-8, 160-pound Joseph has found the end zone seven times and is averaging 21.3 yards per catch.
TOP PERFORMERS FROM WEEK 11
OFFENSE
The Corner’s “O’’ pick for the Boardman game is wide receiver David Joseph.
Joseph helped key the 17-0 regional-quarterfinal victory over the Spartans by hauling in four passes for 129 yards. In an exceptional display of concentration, soft hands, deceiving strength and speed, Joseph combined with quarterback Mark Myers on a 79-yard catch and run for a touchdown that gave the Wildcats a two-TD cushion in the second quarter. The Myers-to-Joseph strike is the second-longest touchdown pass in Saint Ignatius playoff history, by three feet.
In the 1989, 34-28 state-championship game victory over Cincinnati Moeller, Parade All-American quarterback Joe Pickens combined with his lifelong friend Mark Ruddy on an 80-yard scoring play.
DEFENSE
Leading the “D’’ were senior linebacker Scott McVey, senior cornerback George Newrones and sophomore linebacker James Sheehan.
McVey, one of the Wildcats’ four captains, was in on 10 tackles, including a sack and two other tackles for losses, had three quarterback hurries and a quarterback hit. Newrones made five tackles, including two that his position coach, Bryan Massinen ’98, described as “boom’’ hits, blocked a kick and limited a receiver that was a foot taller than him to one reception.
Sheehan, making his first varsity start, finished with eight tackles, including four solos and four that resulted in minus yardage, had a key sack in the fourth quarter and hurried the quarterback.
THIS WEEK IN WILDCATS FOOTBALL HISTORY
On Nov. 8, 1924, Coach Ralph Vince’s Golden Tornado, as the Wildcats were known then, swirled into Shaw Stadium to play Glenville for the first time. Behind the running of Francis “Speed’’ Gaul, two touchdown passes from Lenny Brickman to Al Westfall and a key fumble recovery by Bill Myers, Saint Ignatius prevailed, 13-0.
After the first Brickman-to-Westfall scoring strike, Myers sent a dropkick through the uprights for the extra point, a kick that sailed out of Shaw Stadium and through a window of a nearby house.
In 1938, the NFL’s Cleveland Rams played at Shaw Stadium. The Rams finished 4-7 that season.
FROM THE 1-HOLE
Including last weekend’s victory over Boardman, the Wildcats are 40-3 in the playoffs as a No. 1 seed.
STANFORD STILL HAVING PLENTY OF LUCK
As we wrote on The Corner in September, the Stanford Cardinal feature an outstanding red-shirt freshman quarterback named Andrew Luck. Yes, Andrew is the son of former Saint Ignatius Hall of Fame quarterback Oliver Luck ’78, who went on to a brilliant career at West Virginia and played professionally with the Houston Oilers. Oliver Luck’s position coach at West Virginia was current Strongsville High School head coach Russ Jacques.
Last weekend, the 6-4, 235-pound Andrew Luck completed 12 of 20 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns as Stanford stunned the Oregon Ducks, 51-42. Oregon was coming off a 27-point victory over USC.
“Just an unbelievable performance by Andrew,’’ said Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh. “I don’t know how you can play any better.’’
This Saturday, the young Luck will match his skills with another promising signal-caller out of the PAC-10 – University of Southern California true freshman Matt Barkley. The Cardinal and the Trojans meet at 3:30 p.m. in the Los Angeles Coliseum.
IN OUR PRAYERS
Our thoughts, sympathy and prayers go out Saint Ignatius’ longtime and highly successful offensive coordinator Nick Restifo and his family, as Nick’s father, Frank, passed away at the age of 83. Frank was a 1944 graduate of Cathedral Latin School.
Glenville versus Saint Ignatius regional-semifinal football recap. Story was posted on 11/15/09 at 1:51 a.m.
Turnovers put a disappointing ending to an otherwise memorable chapter in Saint Ignatius’ storied football history.
The talent-rich Tarblooders cash in on five of the ‘Cats’ eight miscues.
By Eddie Dwyer
Although the disappointment and the tears were carved in his face, Saint Ignatius’ gritty senior safety Kevin Hopkins congratulated and consoled his teammates, and thanked his coaches “for everything they did’’ for him and the rest of the 2009 Wildcats.
In a time when it would have been just as easy, and understandable, to say nothing, Hopkins displayed the same strength and character he brought to the field every day for the past two seasons.
“Coach (Chuck) Kyle ’69 is one of the most inspirational coaches I ever played for,’’ Hopkins said, moments after Saint Ignatius was defeated by the big, strong and quick-striking Glenville Tarblooders, 30-13, in a Division I regional-semifinal football game at a packed Lakewood Stadium on Saturday night. “He makes you play above and beyond what you are capable of, and you don’t get that from many other coaches.
“Coach Kyle is not all about football, it’s the life lessons,’’ Hopkins continued. “Those are the things I’m going to carry from here, and do my best with what Coach Kyle gave me and the rest of this football team.’’
Saint Ignatius, which has won a record 10 Division I state football championships and has made an Ohio-best 22 consecutive playoff appearances in Kyle’s 27 seasons as head coach, was, by its own admission, far from its best on Saturday night.
And that can be attributed to a Glenville team that came out with relentless passion on defense and, when it was all said and done, took advantage of almost every one of the Wildcats’ uncharacteristic eight turnovers.
The Tarblooders (11-1), who now lead their series with Saint Ignatius, 5-4, advance to next Saturday’s 7 p.m. Region 1 championship game against the Solon Comets (12-0) on Byers Field in Parma's Robert M. Boulton Stadium.
Saint Ignatius, which saw its 25-game winning streak come to an end, closed its memory-filled fall at 11-1.The 25-game streak, which dated back to last year’s state-championship season, ties for the third-longest in the program’s rich history. The Wildcats put together victory streaks of 39 and 38 games from the late 1980s through the mid-90s.
“That was a disastrous first quarter,’’ said Coach Kyle of his team’s four turnovers in the first 12 minutes, three of which resulted in a 17-0 deficit.
Glenville struck on a 20-yard fumble return for a touchdown by senior linebacker Rodnell Pierce with 10 minutes, 16 seconds remaining in the opening quarter, turned another fumble into a 25-yard field goal by all-everything senior Christian Bryant and went up by three scores on a 2-yard, second-effort touchdown run by junior tailback Robert Walton Jr. with 1:54 to go in the first stanza. Walton’s effort was set up by a 50-yard interception return by one of the most coveted college recruits in the nation – senior safety Latwan Anderson.
“When you begin the playoffs, you always talk about how you can not have a bad quarter,’’ Kyle said. “High school football is 48 minutes. It’s not 15-minute quarters. Mistakes are made, but when you take a whole quarter and do that, oh my God.’’
Anderson, who enrolled at Glenville in late winter of 2009 after attending St. Edward High School and playing football for the Eagles, came up big again in the second quarter as he intercepted another pass and returned the ball from the Saint Ignatius 33 to the Wildcats’ 10. On the next play, Tarblooders 6-foot-5, 210-pound junior quarterback Cardale Jones scored on keeper up the middle with 8:59 left in the first half, and Coach Ted Ginn Sr.’s team appeared to be coasting at 23-0.
Taking the ensuing kickoff, Saint Ignatius, behind a clutch reception by senior tight end and University of Pittsburgh recruit Brendan Carozzoni, put together an 83-yard drive that was highlighted by a perfectly executed 48-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback and Pitt recruit Mark Myers to junior wide receiver David Joseph at the six-minute mark of the second quarter.
With just 1:57 to go in the half, the Wildcats covered 73 yards in seven plays and cut the deficit to 23-13 on a 6-yard scoring run by Myers that was fueled by a perfect pump-fake. Myers’ TD scamper was set up by a razzle-dazzle play out of the “Wildcat’’ formation that saw Myers line up as a receiver, circle back into the backfield, take a pitch and fire a pass to junior tailback Bobby Grebenc, who made an exceptional catch along the left sideline at the Glenville 13.
Despite the rough start, Saint Ignatius actually out-gained the Tarblooders, 189 to 148, in the first half. Glenville’s average field position in the first 24 minutes was the Wildcats’ 30-yard line.
The second-quarter rally didn’t come without a price, as the Wildcats lost two mainstays to injuries – All-Ohio senior linebacker Scott McVey and all-district senior offensive tackle Joe Lavelle.
Saint Ignatius, which defeated the Tarblooders by one point in last year’s Region 1 semifinal at Lakewood Stadium and by one point on opening night of this season, was threatening again after standout senior cornerback George Newrones returned an interception to the Glenville 19 with 6:07 remaining in the third quarter. Newrones put together another solid game as he also blocked a field-goal attempt, partially blocked a punt and downed a punt inside the Tarblooders’ 1.
After Newrones’ interception, which came off a heavy pass rush by the ‘Cats, Saint Ignatius moved to a first-and-goal at the 9.
However, just when it looked as though the Wildcats were going to cut the deficit to three or seven points, Anderson made the play of the game and what the Tarblooders' faithful might look back on as the play of a state-championship season.
On third-and goal from the 9, Anderson stepped in front of a pass at the 1 and, in a blur, raced down the left sideline for a 99-yard interception return. Bryant’s extra-point kick was high and true, and Glenville led, 30-13, with 4:31 left in the third quarter.
The Tarblooders would go on to seal the deal on a 54-yard pass from Jones to speedy junior wideout Shane Wynn, which came off a first-and-10 from inside the Glenville 1-yard line, and interceptions by Bryant and Anderson, Anderson’s fourth pick of the night.
“We should be down by one score, with at least a field goal,’’ said Coach Kyle of Anderson’s 99-yard pick-6. “We had the field-goal team ready. It was a great play (by Anderson), but I thought we pressed to make a touchdown there and it wasn’t necessary.
“Our defense, I thought, really played well in the end. But their secondary, wow! They swarmed like bees to the ball.’’
After the game, Coach Kyle stood near midfield, congratulated the Glenville players and told them they have what it takes to represent Cleveland with a state championship. Anderson and Bryant went out of their way to shake Kyle’s hand and give the veteran coach a hug.
The Tarblooders, who are making their 10th playoff appearance, are still seeking that elusive big-school crown.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they won it all,’’ said Hopkins, who served as one of the Wildcats’ four captains this season. “If they play the way they did tonight, I think they will.
“Right after last season, people were saying we didn’t have anybody (for 2009),’’ Hopkins continued. “We kind of took that as motivation throughout the year and put it to use this whole season.’’
Cross Country
CROSS COUNTRY TEAM RACES ON (10/23/09)
Saint Ignatius’ deep and talented cross country team showed why it is the top program in the state by dominating the Edgewater Division I district. Five Wildcats finished in the top 11, with all five breaking 17 minutes. Evan Baum was third in 16:35.
'CATS' CROSS COUNTRY TEAM IS GEARING UP FOR THE STATE MEET (11/04/09).
Good luck to Dr. Mike Gallagher ’71 and his 2009 Saint Ignatius varsity cross country team as the Wildcats compete in the annual OHSAA state-championship run at Scioto Downs on Saturday.
Saint Ignatius’ harriers totaled 80 points for a second-place finish in last weekend’s regional meet at Tiffin. Slyvania Northview had 70 points and Medina ran for 113 points. Saint Ignatius’ top seven runners placed 6th, 11th, 17th, 20th, 26th, 30th and 40th.
FOLLOWING THE PLAN TO PERFECTION
Story posted on 11/08/09 at 2:23 a.m.
In capturing the school’s third state cross country championship, Dr. Mike Gallagher’s Wildcats easily outdistanced Cincinnati St. Xavier, 82 points to 118, at Scioto Downs on Saturday.
Saint Ignatius stuck with a pre-race strategy that saw its first five runners separated by just 26 seconds. Evan Baum led the way with a 14th-place finish of 16:13.35.
The Wildcats’ previous state cross country championships came in 1993 and ’94.
Soccer
COACH MCLAUGHLIN’S DEFENDING CHAMPS ENTER THEIR SEASON OPENER AMONG THE NATION’S BEST AND GO ON TO BLANK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
Saint Ignatius Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick ’88 reported on Tuesday that Coach Mike McLaughlin's defending Division I state champion soccer team has earned a ranking of third in the nation.
McLaughlin '85, who has guided his Wildcats to three state championships (2004, ’05 and ’08) and a national crown in2005, watched his team open its 2009 season with a 4-0 victory at University School.
Senior forward Vaughn Spurrier, the 'Cats' Offensive MVP last season, scored two goals and junior midfielders Ryan Ivancic and Yianni Sarris also found the mark.
Standout senior goalie and quad-captain Joe Kalt came up with three saves.
Strongsville versus Saint Ignatius State Semifinal Soccer Recap
Story was posted on 11/10/09 at 11:57 p.m.
DEFENSIVE BRILLIANCE AND YIANNI SARRIS’ HIGHLIGHT-REEL HEADER LEAD THE WILDCATS OVER THE SPIRITED MUSTANGS.
COACH MIKE MCLAUGHLIN’S ‘CATS WILL FACE GAHANNA LINCOLN IN FRIDAY’S STATE-CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
By Eddie Dwyer
Strongsville High School’s Tobey Cook is one of the most respected coaches in Ohio, a man who has developed, seen and competed against some of the greatest soccer teams the Buckeye state has ever produced.
Tuesday night, after his Mustangs were turned away by Saint Ignatius, 1-0, in a Division I state-semifinal game at Rocky River High School, Coach Cook never hesitated while describing the nation’s top-ranked Wildcats.
“You’re playing an amazing team,’’ he said. “Everything has to go right and perfect for you to be able to win a game like this.’’
Perfect is where Coach Mike McLaughlin ’85 and his Wildcats stand as they prepare to defend their big-school state championship on Friday night.
Saint Ignatius (22-0), which also won state soccer titles in 2004 and ’05, and was crowned with a national championship in ’05, will face Gahanna Lincoln (21-0-1) at 7 p.m. in Columbus’ Crew Stadium.
Strongsville, whose only other loss this fall came at the paws of the Wildcats, 3-0 in a regular-season matchup at Wasmer Field, closed its season at 17-2-3.
Playing in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Pirates’ Port, Saint Ignatius and Strongsville battled through a scoreless first half that saw Mustangs 6-foot-2 senior goalie Alex Ivanov come up with a couple of impressive stops.
In the second half, however, the Wildcats’ gifted back line of seniors Kayvon Afsarifard, Dennis Holowaty, Matt Sanda and Dylan Mook, and sophomore Zach Martin, not only continued to build their supportive fort around All-Ohio senior goalie Joe Kalt, but also helped fuel Saint Ignatius’ offensive drives.
After Ivanov came up with another solid save at the 27-minute mark of the second half and a shot by Wildcats junior midfielder Yianni Sarris just missed to the right with slightly more than 23 minutes remaining, Holowaty and Co. ignited the attack that led to the game’s only goal.
Mook, Holowaty, Afsarifard and Martin all came up with key passes in getting the ball to junior midfielder Luke Blades.
Blades fired the ball down field to senior forward/striker Alec King, who crossed the ball toward the goal. The ball glanced off a Strongsville defender, went straight up in the air and Sarris, who played on a sore knee that was injured in Saturday’s regional-final victory over Massillon Jackson, timed his jump perfectly and headed the ball in with 21:36 left. It was Sarris’ eighth goal of the season.
“I saw that I had to get it over the tallest guy on their team, so I put everything into it and I got it,’’ Sarris said. “There’s not a better feeling. You can’t do it without the team.
“Everyone wants to take down No. 1 in the nation,’’ Sarris continued. “It’s hard being No. 1, being at the top. But we do it. Every day, we come out at practice and work as hard as we can to stay No. 1. Our defense is phenomenal.’’
Along with Sarris’ game-winner and the rock-solid play of the ‘Cats back line, money-in-the-bank Kalt was there every time he needed to be as he improved on his state record by coming up with his 44th career shutout.
“Joe deserves a lot of the credit,’’ said Holowaty. “We’re there just to help him out. He directs us. We’re there to keep the shutout with Joe. That’s our job, and we get that done.’’
Tuesday was an emotional game for Holowaty, who grew up in Strongsville and is still a resident of the city.
“I played travel soccer with all of these guys (the Mustangs),’’ Holowaty said. “I still hang out with some of them.’’
Holowaty emphasized that Friday’s opponent, Gahanna Lincoln, is “the powerhouse down South’’ and that he and the rest of the Wildcats will need to “bring our A game.’’
And the “A game,’’ said Coach McLaughlin, is something that goes hand-in-hand with playoff soccer.
“It’s the playoffs and every tackle’s harder, every pass is crisper. Everything is better in the playoffs,’’ McLaughlin said. “Strongsville came out to play, and played a great game. They were much more dangerous offensively tonight than they were the first time we played them. But I’m glad that I got to see our guys show something special in the second half, that this is what it takes in order to move on.’’
Strongsville versus Saint Ignatius State Semifinal Soccer Recap
Story was posted on 11/10/09 at 11:57 p.m.
DEFENSIVE BRILLIANCE AND YIANNI SARRIS’ HIGHLIGHT-REEL HEADER LEAD THE WILDCATS OVER THE SPIRITED MUSTANGS.
COACH MIKE MCLAUGHLIN’S ‘CATS WILL FACE GAHANNA LINCOLN IN FRIDAY’S STATE-CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
By Eddie Dwyer
Strongsville High School’s Tobey Cook is one of the most respected coaches in Ohio, a man who has developed, seen and competed against some of the greatest soccer teams the Buckeye state has ever produced.
Tuesday night, after his Mustangs were turned away by Saint Ignatius, 1-0, in a Division I state-semifinal game at Rocky River High School, Coach Cook never hesitated while describing the nation’s top-ranked Wildcats.
“You’re playing an amazing team,’’ he said. “Everything has to go right and perfect for you to be able to win a game like this.’’
Perfect is where Coach Mike McLaughlin ’85 and his Wildcats stand as they prepare to defend their big-school state championship on Friday night.
Saint Ignatius (22-0), which also won state soccer titles in 2004 and ’05, and was crowned with a national championship in ’05, will face Gahanna Lincoln (21-0-1) at 7 p.m. in Columbus’ Crew Stadium.
Strongsville, whose only other loss this fall came at the paws of the Wildcats, 3-0 in a regular-season matchup at Wasmer Field, closed its season at 17-2-3.
Playing in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Pirates’ Port, Saint Ignatius and Strongsville battled through a scoreless first half that saw Mustangs 6-foot-2 senior goalie Alex Ivanov come up with a couple of impressive stops.
In the second half, however, the Wildcats’ gifted back line of seniors Kayvon Afsarifard, Dennis Holowaty, Matt Sanda and Dylan Mook, and sophomore Zach Martin, not only continued to build their supportive fort around All-Ohio senior goalie Joe Kalt, but also helped fuel Saint Ignatius’ offensive drives.
After Ivanov came up with another solid save at the 27-minute mark of the second half and a shot by Wildcats junior midfielder Yianni Sarris just missed to the right with slightly more than 23 minutes remaining, Holowaty and Co. ignited the attack that led to the game’s only goal.
Mook, Holowaty, Afsarifard and Martin all came up with key passes in getting the ball to junior midfielder Luke Blades.
Blades fired the ball down field to senior forward/striker Alec King, who crossed the ball toward the goal. The ball glanced off a Strongsville defender, went straight up in the air and Sarris, who played on a sore knee that was injured in Saturday’s regional-final victory over Massillon Jackson, timed his jump perfectly and headed the ball in with 21:36 left. It was Sarris’ eighth goal of the season.
“I saw that I had to get it over the tallest guy on their team, so I put everything into it and I got it,’’ Sarris said. “There’s not a better feeling. You can’t do it without the team.
“Everyone wants to take down No. 1 in the nation,’’ Sarris continued. “It’s hard being No. 1, being at the top. But we do it. Every day, we come out at practice and work as hard as we can to stay No. 1. Our defense is phenomenal.’’
Along with Sarris’ game-winner and the rock-solid play of the ‘Cats back line, money-in-the-bank Kalt was there every time he needed to be as he improved on his state record by coming up with his 44th career shutout.
“Joe deserves a lot of the credit,’’ said Holowaty. “We’re there just to help him out. He directs us. We’re there to keep the shutout with Joe. That’s our job, and we get that done.’’
Tuesday was an emotional game for Holowaty, who grew up in Strongsville and is still a resident of the city.
“I played travel soccer with all of these guys (the Mustangs),’’ Holowaty said. “I still hang out with some of them.’’
Holowaty emphasized that Friday’s opponent, Gahanna Lincoln, is “the powerhouse down South’’ and that he and the rest of the Wildcats will need to “bring our A game.’’
And the “A game,’’ said Coach McLaughlin, is something that goes hand-in-hand with playoff soccer.
“It’s the playoffs and every tackle’s harder, every pass is crisper. Everything is better in the playoffs,’’ McLaughlin said. “Strongsville came out to play, and played a great game. They were much more dangerous offensively tonight than they were the first time we played them. But I’m glad that I got to see our guys show something special in the second half, that this is what it takes in order to move on.’’
Coach Mike McLaughlin’s nationally ranked soccer team traveled to Hudson on Thursday night and came away with a 4-1 victory over the Explorers.
The Wildcats got two goals from Paul Castrigano, and Ryan Ivancic and Vaughn Spurrier each tallied a goal as the defending Division I state champions improved to 6-0. The 'Cats have shutout five of their six opponents.
Saint Ignatius will play host to a talented Dublin Jerome program on Saturday at 3 p.m. The Wildcats' Broadcasting Club will present what should be an entertaining matchup live over the Web.
St. Edward at Saint Ignatius varsity soccer recap. Posted on 9/23/09 at 11:10 p.m.
CASTRIGANO, SPURRIER, HOLOWATY AND KALT HELP LEAD THE ‘CATS PAST THE EAGLES IN A PHYSICAL ENCOUNTER AT WASMER FIELD.
KALT ADDS TO HIS SHUTOUT MARK AS SAINT IGNATIUS IS NOW A PERFECT 10!
Yes, it did seem like there were almost as many penalties as memorable plays, and even a few yellow cards were thrown in.
But, as every veteran area high school sports fan knows, when Saint Ignatius and St. Edward get together on an athletic field, things do have a tendency to get physical. For that matter, if the Wildcats and the Eagles were playing checkers the board would probably get flipped over a few times.
And there are two other items of note that the Wildcats’ faithful are very aware of – No. 1, Coach Mike McLaughlin has had his way against Saint Ignatius’ staunch rival and No. 2, the nation’s third-ranked soccer team isn’t about to be intimidated.
Wednesday night at Wasmer Field, Saint Ignatius, ranked third in both the ESPN Rise Fab 50 national poll and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America rankings, went toe-to-toe with the Eagles and came away with a 2-0 victory before a packed house in Ohio City.
The undefeated Wildcats, who have now shutout eight of their 10 opponents this season and have allowed just two goals, presented Coach McLaughlin with his 17th victory in the program’s last 19 meetings with St. Edward. A 1985 graduate of Saint Ignatius, McLaughlin has guided the ‘Cats to three Division I state championships, including the 2008 Ohio crown, and a national title in 2005.
In a first half that was described by the candid and colorful Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Club as extremely physical, the Wildcats took a 1-0 lead when gifted senior Paul Castrigano sent home a rebound. It was Castrigano’s ninth goal of the season.
Thanks to some active and hard-nosed defense, and a diving one-handed stop by brilliant senior goalie Joe Kalt, it remained 1-0 until midway through the second half. At that point, crafty senior Vaughn Spurrier, the team’s Offensive MVP in ’08, scored off a penalty kick for his team-leading 10th goal.
The second half also saw senior Dennis Holowaty, one of the top defenders in Ohio, take away a scoring opportunity from the Eagles with a crowd-pleasing move.
Kalt, who came up with his 36th career shutout, broke the school career record for shutouts in last weekend’s 7-0 triumph at Mentor. The previous mark was 34 by Nick Tsipis ’07.
Speakiing of goalies, a tip of the cap goes out to St. Edward’s Toby Frohlich, who kept his team in the game all night and prevented further damage with three impressive saves after Spurrier’s goal.
Things don’t get any easier for Coach McLaughlin and his Wildcats as Saint Ignatius, the top-ranked team in Ohio, faces the state’s third-ranked program, Massillon Jackson, on Saturday night at 7 on Wasmer Field.
WHO SAID IT'S LONELY AT THE TOP?: Entering this weekend's action, the Wildcats' varsity cross country, football, golf and soccer teams were each ranked No. 1 in Ohio in their respective sports. Now that's a fearsome fallsome.
- “The Corner’’
Strongsville versus Saint Ignatius State Semifinal Soccer Recap
Story was posted on 11/10/09 at 11:57 p.m.
DEFENSIVE BRILLIANCE AND YIANNI SARRIS’ HIGHLIGHT-REEL HEADER LEAD THE WILDCATS OVER THE SPIRITED MUSTANGS.
COACH MIKE MCLAUGHLIN’S ‘CATS WILL FACE GAHANNA LINCOLN IN FRIDAY’S STATE-CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
By Eddie Dwyer
Strongsville High School’s Tobey Cook is one of the most respected coaches in Ohio, a man who has developed, seen and competed against some of the greatest soccer teams the Buckeye state has ever produced.
Tuesday night, after his Mustangs were turned away by Saint Ignatius, 1-0, in a Division I state-semifinal game at Rocky River High School, Coach Cook never hesitated while describing the nation’s top-ranked Wildcats.
“You’re playing an amazing team,’’ he said. “Everything has to go right and perfect for you to be able to win a game like this.’’
Perfect is where Coach Mike McLaughlin ’85 and his Wildcats stand as they prepare to defend their big-school state championship on Friday night.
Saint Ignatius (22-0), which also won state soccer titles in 2004 and ’05, and was crowned with a national championship in ’05, will face Gahanna Lincoln (21-0-1) at 7 p.m. in Columbus’ Crew Stadium.
Strongsville, whose only other loss this fall came at the paws of the Wildcats, 3-0 in a regular-season matchup at Wasmer Field, closed its season at 17-2-3.
Playing in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Pirates’ Port, Saint Ignatius and Strongsville battled through a scoreless first half that saw Mustangs 6-foot-2 senior goalie Alex Ivanov come up with a couple of impressive stops.
In the second half, however, the Wildcats’ gifted back line of seniors Kayvon Afsarifard, Dennis Holowaty, Matt Sanda and Dylan Mook, and sophomore Zach Martin, not only continued to build their supportive fort around All-Ohio senior goalie Joe Kalt, but also helped fuel Saint Ignatius’ offensive drives.
After Ivanov came up with another solid save at the 27-minute mark of the second half and a shot by Wildcats junior midfielder Yianni Sarris just missed to the right with slightly more than 23 minutes remaining, Holowaty and Co. ignited the attack that led to the game’s only goal.
Mook, Holowaty, Afsarifard and Martin all came up with key passes in getting the ball to junior midfielder Luke Blades.
Blades fired the ball down field to senior forward/striker Alec King, who crossed the ball toward the goal. The ball glanced off a Strongsville defender, went straight up in the air and Sarris, who played on a sore knee that was injured in Saturday’s regional-final victory over Massillon Jackson, timed his jump perfectly and headed the ball in with 21:36 left. It was Sarris’ eighth goal of the season.
“I saw that I had to get it over the tallest guy on their team, so I put everything into it and I got it,’’ Sarris said. “There’s not a better feeling. You can’t do it without the team.
“Everyone wants to take down No. 1 in the nation,’’ Sarris continued. “It’s hard being No. 1, being at the top. But we do it. Every day, we come out at practice and work as hard as we can to stay No. 1. Our defense is phenomenal.’’
Along with Sarris’ game-winner and the rock-solid play of the ‘Cats back line, money-in-the-bank Kalt was there every time he needed to be as he improved on his state record by coming up with his 44th career shutout.
“Joe deserves a lot of the credit,’’ said Holowaty. “We’re there just to help him out. He directs us. We’re there to keep the shutout with Joe. That’s our job, and we get that done.’’
Tuesday was an emotional game for Holowaty, who grew up in Strongsville and is still a resident of the city.
“I played travel soccer with all of these guys (the Mustangs),’’ Holowaty said. “I still hang out with some of them.’’
Holowaty emphasized that Friday’s opponent, Gahanna Lincoln, is “the powerhouse down South’’ and that he and the rest of the Wildcats will need to “bring our A game.’’
And the “A game,’’ said Coach McLaughlin, is something that goes hand-in-hand with playoff soccer.
“It’s the playoffs and every tackle’s harder, every pass is crisper. Everything is better in the playoffs,’’ McLaughlin said. “Strongsville came out to play, and played a great game. They were much more dangerous offensively tonight than they were the first time we played them. But I’m glad that I got to see our guys show something special in the second half, that this is what it takes in order to move on.’’
A SEASON OF EXCELLENCE CLOSES WITH A GAME FOR THE AGES – Posted on 11/14/09 at 12:52 a.m.
While they are hurting inside right now, a feeling that will probably linger for a few days, the Saint Wildcats will eventually look back on their remarkable soccer season and realize they took Coach Mike McLaughlin’s lead to the highest levels of competition.
The Wildcats, as Coach McLaughlin ’85 and several state-wide media members pointed out, played in a state championship game on Friday night that will go down as one of the greatest in the history of Ohio high school soccer.
Saint Ignatius (22-1) and Gahanna Lincoln (22-0-1), programs who achieved excellence this fall, tested each other’s will and skill for 110 minutes before the Lions, after regulation and two overtimes, came away with a 1-0 shoot-out victory, 4-3 in penalty kicks.
The Wildcats, who took a streak of 44 consecutive games without a loss into Friday’s thriller at Columbus’ Crew Stadium, were not only ranked No. 1 in Ohio, but were the top team nationally in both the coaches’ poll and the ESPN poll. Gahanna Lincoln entered the “classic’’ Division I finale ranked 10th in the coaches’ poll and fourth by ESPN.
As was the case all season, Saint Ignatius got a brilliant performance in goal by senior Joe Kalt and a rock-solid effort from its gifted back line. Among the standouts in that area on Friday night were seniors Kayvon Afsarifard, Dennis Holowaty and Kailum Ijaz, and sophomore Zach Martin.
In closing their fall to recall, many of the 2009 Wildcats will walk away knowing they added a state runner-up finish to their state championship of 2008. Coach McLaughlin’s teams also won state titles in 2004 and ’05, and were crowned with a national championship in ’05.
Congratulations to one of the nation’s finest programs and, May God Bless the seniors in all of their future endeavors.
- Eddie Dwyer
Golf
GOLFERS ARE STATE BOUND!
Congratulations go out to Coach Dan Hess ’88 and the Wildcats' varsity golf team for capturing the Division I district tournament at Pine Hills Golf Club on Wednesday and, in the process, advancing to next weekend’s state tournament.
Saint Ignatius, which finished third in last year’s big-school state competition, will play for the Ohio crown Oct. 23-24. The ‘Cats will compete on The Ohio State University’s demanding Scarlet Course.
Leading the way for Coach Hess on Wednesday were sophomore Beau Titsworth, who shot a 73, and senior Kyle Kmiecik, who delivered a 76 in the cold and wet conditions. Junior Connor McCafferty, the team’s fifth golfer, shot 80 for the day.
The Wildcats' linksmen will enter the state finals having established two single-season school records - best record (219-2) and most tournament wins (11).
- "The Corner.''
MOTHER NATURE HAS THE BEST SCORE
WILDCATS BID FOR A THIRD STATE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP PUT ON HOLD
Friday's opening round of the Division I state golf tournament was wiped out by the persistent rain that swept across the Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University. The tournament has been rescheduled for Saturday and has been reduced to an 18-hole competition. The first tee off times will be 9 a.m., unless Mother Nature has more to say.
WILDCATS GOLFERS FINISH THIRD (10/23/09)
A solid team score of 315 wasn’t quite enough on Saturday as the Saint Ignatius varsity golf team finished third in the Division I state golf championship on the Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University. It marked the second consecutive year that the Wildcats placed third.
After Friday’s opening round was rained out, the tournament was adjusted to a one-day, 18-hole shootout. Columbus St. Charles, a team the Wildcats defeated twice in regular-season tournaments, took home the trophy with a score of 309 and Cincinnati St. Xavier was second at 313.
Senior Kyle Kmiecik and sophomore Beau Titsworth compiled rounds of 76 and tied for sixth in the state to earn All-Ohio honors. Sophomore Matt Gerard and senior Andrew Bailey had rounds of 81 and 82, and junior Connor McCafferty shot 87.
Other Sports/News
A CLASS ACT IS HEADED FOR A BETTER PLACE.
For more than 20 of my 36 years at The Plain Dealer, I had the privilege of sharing a desk area right behind the late Mr. Bill Nichols.
Bill, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 79, had been battling heart and other health problems.
One thing is for certain, there was no reporter in the history of Cleveland’s newspaper coverage with a bigger heart. Bill was the epitome of class, a man who combined passion and integrity while covering professional and amateur athletes.
Bill covered the Cavaliers from their infancy through the memorable “Miracle at Richfield’’ season and beyond. He played a role in helping bring the NBA All-Star Game to Cleveland and also covered Cleveland State University, amateur and professional golf, and other pro sporting events for The Plain Dealer. His memorable columns were tagged “Nichols Worth.’’
However, when I think of Bill’s newspaper career, it was his endless dedication to the area’s small colleges that comes to mind right away.
Bill, a graduate of Lakewood High School and Baldwin-Wallace College, covered Cleveland’s Division III programs with a relentless passion that no one before or after him could equal. He put the R in the John Carroll vs. Baldwin-Wallace rivalry and always saw to it that Case Western Reserve University had its place on the weekly local college page.
It was less than two years ago, during a luncheon get together of former Plain Dealer writers, that I shared one of my most memorable reporting experiences with Bill – covering Case Western Reserve’s 2007 magical ride through the Division III football playoffs as a stringer for The News-Herald. I’ll never forget the smile on Bill’s face that day.
I am sure many former Saint Ignatius athletes, especially those who went on to Division III colleges in the area, will remember “Mr. Nichols.’’ For if you were fortunate enough to be covered and reported on by Bill, well, you are truly in a special class of student/athletes.
Friends can call on the Nichols family on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Zeis-McGreevey Funeral Home, 16105 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood.
REST IN PEACE, BILL
- Eddie Dwyer.
Wildcats honored by SI.com.
Posted on Monday, July 20 at 2:27 p.m.
By Eddie Dwyer
Sports Illustrated has recognized Saint Ignatius as having the top athletic program in Ohio for the school year of 2008-09.
SI.com's list includes the premier program in each state and the District of Columbia.
The results are based on “sifting through state tournament results of the ’08-’09 school year, contacting athletic directors from top programs, examining all-around success rates as well as weighing the importance of producing star athletes and teams that excelled on the national level.’’
In sports sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the Wildcats captured a state-best 10th Division I football championship, brought home their third big-school state championship trophy in soccer, set a school record by advancing to the state final four in baseball for the third consecutive season and in golf and wrestling, the ‘Cats garnered third- and fourth-place finishes, respectively, in Ohio’s state-wide Division I tournaments.
Saint Ignatius and rival Saint Edward, in what was one of the most dramatic matchups in the history of Ohio high school ice hockey, battled for more than four hours and six overtimes before the Eagles prevailed, 3-2, in the record-setting district championship game at the Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn.
Coach Sean O'Toole '87, in his first season at the helm of the varsity basketball team, guided his 'Cats to the Division I district finals, an 18-5 record and a sixth-place ranking in the seven-county area.
Coach Chuck Kyle’s 2008 Wildcats were chosen by MaxPreps as the national runner-up in football and Coach Mark Sullivan’s wrestling program featured two state champions – Jerome Robinson ’10 at 112 pounds and David Habat ’10 at 145 pounds. It marked the first time since 1993 that Saint Ignatius' wrestling team produced a state champion(s).
Kyle ’69 also guided the Wildcats’ track and field team to a championship at the Ravenna Division I District and to a second-place finish at the Amherst Regional. The Wildcats' cross country team ran to another top-10 finish in the state and Coach Ed Wolff's tennis program compiled an overall mark of 22-4, including a 14-2 varsity record.
Coach Matt Previts '97 and the 'Cats crew team continued their standard of excellence, as the Wildcat Navy produced a sixth consecutive Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championship. It was the program's eighth Midwest title.
This marks the second time Sports Illustrated has honored Saint Ignatius as Ohio’s all-around best in athletics. In 2005, SI rated the Wildcats No.1 in the state and 18th in the nation.
In the final “Ohio High Cup’’ standings, an honor presented yearly by Ohio High magazine, Saint Ignatius finished second to University School. The Preppers won state championships in golf, swimming and ice hockey, and were third in the Division II state wrestling tournament.
“DREAMS DO BECOME A REALITY.’’
SAINT IGNATIUS PAYS TRIBUTE TO ITS STATE-CHAMPION CROSS COUNTRY TEAM.
Story was posted on 11/19/09 at 1:52 a.m.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, Nov. 2009
With the 2009 cross country season about to get underway, Saint Ignatius assistant coach Tom Maloney ’83 said to the Wildcats: “It goes too fast, so enjoy it.’’
Yes, it went fast and furious.
However, what was obvious to everyone in attendance in the Rade Dining Hall on Wednesday night is that a very special team savored every special second.
The Wildcats, led by veteran head coach Dr. Mike Gallagher ’71, celebrated their fall to recall with their teammates, their families, other classmates, members of the Saint Ignatius administration and faculty, and Wildcats Hall Fame inductee, Mr. Dick “Zip’’ Zunt ’50, in a special awards-ceremony banquet.
Running what Wildcats Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick ’88 referred to as “the perfect race,’’ Coach Gallagher’s harriers captured the big-school state championship by easily out-distancing Cincinnati St. Xavier, 82 points to 118 points, on Nov. 7 at Scioto Downs in Columbus. It was Saint Ignatius’ third state crown in cross country, with the other two coming in 1993 and ’94.
As Coach Gallagher emphasized, the ‘Cats carried out their pre-race strategy to perfection.
Saint Ignatius’ first five runners were separated by just 26 seconds. Senior Evan Baum led the way with a 14th-place finish of 16:13.35.
Perhaps standout senior Jordan Tropf said it best after the Wildcats overcame the physical challenges of Scioto Downs: “This hurts so bad, but this feels so good!’’
Tropf has been accepted by the United States Naval Academy.
Wednesday was a feel good evening for the Wildcats, Coach Gallagher and his staff, which also includes Kevin Hippley ’95, a member of Saint Ignatius’ previous state-champion cross country teams, and Bob Carroll ’07.
With the coaches and the players displaying sincere emotion, with a touch of humor, Coach Gallagher and his staff presented the team’s post-season honors.
As for the seniors, Evan Baum was chosen as the Most Valuable Runner, Tropf garnered the Most Valuable Award and Patrick Grodach was the pick as the Most Improved runner from the Class of 2010.
Among the juniors, John Sweeney brought home the Most Valuable honor and Patrick Flanagan was the Most Improved. Mitch Baum was the MVP of the sophomore runners and John Berry was the Class of 2012’s Most Improved performer.
Joe Arquillo and Jacob Maier were the Most Valuable and Most Improved freshmen, respectively, and junior Brendan Crowley garnered the prestigious Coaches Cup Award.
Tropf, Evan Baum, Chris Manuszak and Joe Polin were recognized as four-year letter winners and earning their third letter were Sweeney, Nick Bartram, Seamus Kelleher and Nick Kobunski.
Sweeney, as Coach Gallagher described it, laid down the gauntlet by saying the Wildcats expect to repeat as state champions in the fall of 2010.
Coach Carroll, who was assigned to the promising freshmen runners, was very emotional and very sincere when describing the Wildcats’ “Dream Team,’’ a carry-on-the-tradition honor, if you will.
The “Dream Team’’ selections among the freshman class were Arquillo, Vincent Bartram, Jack “Honey’’ Fitzgerald, Jack Miller, Matthew Paponetti and Ryan Smith. They posed with an American Flag with the words “The Dream Team’’ printed on it.
In what was definitely the most emotional moment of the evening, sophomore Rob Purgert, a young man who is a study in courage and character, and an inspiration to many, spoke with a maturity beyond his years as he thanked his teammates, his coaches and his school.
Purgert, who was diagnosed with leukemia in October of 2008, shortly after a race with Gilmour Academy, returned to the team this fall.
In a calm and sincere manner that was accompanied by his heart-warming and impressive smile, Rob talked about how he didn’t know anyone when he first enrolled at Saint Ignatius, but how quickly his teammates and classmates rallied around him and provided him with endless support and strength.
For his fellow Wildcats, Rob said, he will be forever grateful.
And that feeling is definitely mutual.
EPILOGUE TO A STATE-CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON: Coach Gallagher and his top-ranked in Ohio Wildcats traveled to Terra Haute, Indiana on Nov. 15 to compete in the Nike Cross Midwest Regional Race.
The top teams from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Missouri assembled for two qualifying spots to the Nike Cross National Meet in Portland, Ore.
Competing on a course that was a rolling swath of grass carved out between forest and corn fields, a layout that even included jumps over hay bales, all of the Wildcats ran faster than their state meet times and finished seventh out of 30 teams. The time difference between the first and fifth Wildcat was just 27 seconds.
Here are the ‘Cats' times: Evan Baum (16:08); John Sweeney (16:15); Chris Manuszak (16:27); Nick Kobunski (16:31); Jordan Tropf (16:35); Mitch Baum (16:39); Nick Bartram (16:53); Drew Galang (17:30); and Mike O’Connor (18:00).
ONE TO CHERISH: As Rory Fitzpatrick pointed out, it was truly a special season for the Wildcats’ fall sports.
All four of the varsity teams – cross country, football, golf and soccer – were ranked among the nation’s best and through most of the season all four were ranked No. 1 in Ohio.
As we reported on the corner last week, Coach Mike McLaughlin ’85 guided his soccer ‘Cats to a 22-1 record and a Division I state runner-up finish. In a matchup that many college coaches described as the greatest high school soccer game they ever witnessed, Saint Ignatius was edged by Gahanna Lincoln, 1-0, in a shoot-out in the state-title game.
Coming off a state-championship in 2008, Coach McLaughlin’s team compiled a remarkable 16 shutouts and yielded just one goal in each of its other seven games.
And while we're on the subject of Saint Ignatius soccer, the corner would like to congratulate senior Vaughn Spurrier on his selection as Northeast Ohio Player of the Year. During my career at The Plain Dealer, I had the privilege to cover Vaughn's dad, James, and his very successful girls basketball teams at Collinwood High School.
Coach Chuck Kyle ’69 led his varsity football team to a 10-0 regular season, the top-ranking in the Associated Press state poll, a state-best 22nd consecutive playoff appearance and an overall mark of 11-1.
And last, but certainly not least, Coach Dan Hess ’88 guided his varsity golf team to a school-best 228-4 record, which included sectional and district championships, and a second consecutive third-place finish at the Division I state tournament on The Ohio State University's demanding Scarlet Course.
Hess, who is retiring as the Wildcats’ head coach, helped hone the skills of one the most gifted players in the nation and one of the greatest performers in the history of Ohio high school golf – senior Kyle Kmiecik – and is leaving behind one of the top underclassmen in the country in sophomore Beau Titsworth. Kmiecik will be furthering his education and golf career on scholarship at the University of Mississippi. During his tenure as Saint Ignatius’ head coach, Hess helped guide the Wildcats to state championships in 2001 and 2002.