skip navigation

The Football 'Cats Wrap Up 6th Camp

By Eddie Dwyer, 06/30/17, 9:30AM EDT

Share

The Wildcats now have three weeks off before returning to camp on July 25.

Ohio City - Chuck Kyle '69, currently in his 35th season as the Head Coach of one of the most storied high school football programs in the nation, had two key statements for his Wildcats following Thursday's sixth mini camp of the 2017 preseason.

"You have made some sound progress," said the man who has guided his alma mater to an OHSAA record 11 Division I State Championships, including a remarkable five in a row (1991-1995), two state runner-up finishes (1996 and 2016), three national titles (1989, 1993 and 1995) and a national runner-up in 2008.

"Now, how much better can you become on your own," Coach Kyle continued before the 'Cats took part in their traditional ten seconds of reflection.

For the next three weeks it will be up to the Wildcats to continue to hone the special conditioning and coaching they have received for the past four to five weeks. They return to Wasmer Field on July 25 for the first of the final four camp sessions, with August's always demanding two-a-day practices hanging around the corner.

AN ENJOYABLE AND INFORMATIVE AFTERNOON FOR MEMBERS OF LUCAS HIGH'S FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF: As we reported on the corner Wednesday morning, Coach Kyle and his gifted staff invited Cubs Head Coach Scott Spitler, Running Backs/Linebackers Coach Matt Smith and Quarterbacks/Safeties Coach Jeff Fanello to take in Saint Ignatius' Varsity session on Thursday afternoon.

Along with his head coaching duties, Coach Spitler is also the Cubs' Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach.

Lucas High, located in Richland County, has made three consecutive trips to the Ohio High School Athletic Association's Division 7 football playoffs. The Cubs also qualified for the OHSAA's football postseason in 2006 and 2000.

Extending the invitation to the Lucas High School gridiron staff was Wildcats' veteran Assistant Coach on offense, Jim Cahill '89. Jim and Coach Fanello work together at Ohio Valley Manufacturing in Mansfield, Ohio.

"That was the big reason why we came up today," said Coach Spitler, referring to Saint Ignatius' run-pass option scheme. "Coach Cahill was down at our place for a meeting in the winter time because we're looking to implement the RPO (run-pass option) off the running game.

"I'm very impressed with Coach Kyle and what his offensive staff does," continued Coach Spitler. "We've seen them a few times in the playoffs. With our relationship with Coach Cahill, they opened up the doors for us. We love football, so we wanted to come here and get better today. With Coach Kyle, it doesn't get any better than that." 

Blessed with a special athlete at quarterback, junior Jeb Grover, the Cubs see the run-pass option as a means to help spread the opposing defense. Teams will many times put eight, nine or even 10 in the box to try to offset Lucas High's power running game.

"We run a lot of quarterback power, so we want to take it to the next step with the RPOs and Jeb," Coach Spitler said.

Grover converted from tailback to quarterback in Week 3 of last season and finished with more than 1,900 yards rushing.

MAKING THE ADJUSTMENT: Saint Ignatius' Defensive Line Coach Dave Cicetti shared with The Corner on Thursday that senior Toby Engel has made significant strides in his adjustment from being an offensive lineman to now helping fill a significant graduation void along the defensive front.

"And most importantly, Toby has worked very hard at it," said Coach Cicetti, one of the most underrated coaches in the area.

Toby is also a wrestler for the Wildcats' program under Head Coach Mark Sullivan.

AIRING IT OUT: Thursday's Varsity afternoon camp and evening Junior Varsity Camp featured some impressive pass and catch combinations.

Senior quarterback Daniel Alexander and senior wide receiver Michael Drobnick clicked on a smooth deep scoring route that was bound for the Lorain Avenue end zone and senior QB Kyle Hall and senior wide receiver Max Pike did the same.

With a light rain falling in the JV session, sophomore quarterback Griffin Hanna and sure-handed and heady sophomore route runner Henry Cook were money on two deep throws. Also defying Mother Nature were sophomore quarterback Patrick Keane and sophomore wide receiver Domenic Fabe, as Domenic went air born and brought down Patrick's strong toss.

LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST: It was great to see former Wildcat defensive line mainstay Patrick Viancourt '17 visiting the Varsity Camp on Thursday.

Patrick is in the Business School at Fordham University. Patrick, Fordham and The Bronx. That sounds like a great fit.

Continuing the Viancourt football tradition at Saint Ignatius is Pat's brother Matt, a senior two-way mainstay at safety and running back.

HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL WEEKEND, AND INDEPENDENCE DAY. WE'LL SEE YOU ON JULY 25.