skip navigation

Wildcats Freshmen Football is Defeated by Glenville, 16-0, on Thursday Evening

By Eddie Dwyer, 09/21/17, 11:30PM EDT

Share

The loss occurred in the Tarblooders' Robert "Bump" Taylor Stadium

 From Cleveland's Arlington Avenue - Saint Ignatius Head Freshmen Football Coach Rodney Gallaway emphasized that Thursday evening's loss to Glenville, which dropped the 'Cats' record to 2-3 , was as much about what his team didn't do as it was Glenville's ability to improve to 2-0.

 "It wasn't like every single guy on their team was some stud, and it wasn't like their same kid did the same thing every single time," Coach Gallaway said. "The quarterback (Glenville's William Amerl) was pretty solid, but if we wrap up and tackle we're in a much better situation and if we don't put the ball on the ground a few times we're in a much better situation. These are all things we can control, not what the other team is doing."

 What Saint Ignatius was doing in the early going was just fine, as the 'Cats rode the running of tough and talented tailback Mike Simcak to a first down at their 41-yard line.

 Shortly after Simcak's efforts, Saint Ignatius was faced with a third down and one yard to go for another first down. The Wildcats appeared to have a mix up on the ensuing snap and had to pounce on the football for a significant loss.

 With Saint Ignatius being forced to punt, Glenville's Arcady Rox busted through the line of defense, blocked the punt and the Tarblooders took possession of the ball at Saint Ignatius' 19-yard line.

  The 'Cats' defense rose to the occasion, however, as off a third-and-8 from the Saint Ignatius 17, defensive back Christopher Snyder made a diving interception at the Wildcats' 2-yard line. Christopher is a cousin to Saint Ignatius' standout Varsity wide receiver Sammy Snyder.

 Mr. Momentum was a fickle friend, however, as two plays later Simcak was tackled in the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 Tarblooders lead. The scoreboard in Robert "Bump" Taylor Stadium was not operating, so the officials had to inform each sideline on the time situation.

 Following the safety, Saint Ignatius punted its free kick and Glenville took possession at the Wildcats' 48-yard line. The Tarblooders got their passing game going and moved the ball inside the 'Cats' 10-yard line.

 A block-in-the-back penalty on Glenville moved the ball back to the Saint Ignatius 25 and shortly after that a timeout was called on the field as Wildcats promising defensive back Andrew Chime appeared to suffer a hip injury.

 Our prayers and well wishes are with Andrew and his family, as Andrew had to be taken by an ambulance to a nearby hospital. This corner can't say enough about the outstanding job Wildcats Head Athletic Trainer Mr. Hank Gaughan ATC, Cleveland's EMS and all of the Saint Ignatius coaches did in attending to Andrew, who was in good spirits, and assisting and comforting Andrew's parents.

 While Andrew was being attended to, his teammates gathered under a tree in the open end zone of Robert "Bump" Taylor Stadium and prayed for their teammate.

 When play resumed, the Tarblooders' offense had a second-and-9 from the Saint Ignatius 24-yard line.

 Once again, the Wildcats' defense rose up and limited Glenville to a -minus 1 yard over the next three plays and took possession at their 25-yard line.

 Following a sure-handed reception by wide receiver Jack Dunstan, Saint Ignatius had a first down at its 42-yard line.

 The 'Cats' drive stalled and Glenville, faced with a first down and 20 yards to go from its 35, got a Houdini act from Amerl, who rolled to his right, dodged and broke a few tackles, scrambled back to his left and, as he was heading to the sideline, unleashed a desperation pass that resulted in a touchdown. Following the 2-point conversion run by George Chambers the Tarblooders led, 10-0.

 Trailing by those 10 points in the early stages of the second half, Saint Ignatius got some strong work on pass defense from Nick Velotta, Emmett Hanna and Justin Lazuka, including an effort from Velotta that saw Nick, reading the play all of the way from his linebacker position, intercept a pass from Chambers. Yes, Chambers, who took the pitch from Amerl, faked a run, dropped back and tried to hit Amerl with a pass in the right flat.

 The evening belonged to the home team, however, as Glenville got the clincher off a short touchdown run by Chambers. Battling until the end, Dunstan, who doubles as a defensive back, broke up the attempt for a 2-point conversion following the Chambers' music.

 Up next for Coach Gallaway's Freshmen is a trip to Erie (Pa.) McDowell High School on Sept. 28th for a 5:30 PM kickoff versus the ninth-grade Trojans.