Ohio City - Led by two-time, first-team selection Jack Jamieson, the Wildcats of Hall of Fame Head Coach Chuck Kyle '69 were well-represented on the 2017 All-Seven County Area Offensive Team by Cleveland.com.
Jamieson, also a two-time All-Northeast Lakes District selection and a Division I All-Ohio pick by the Ohio Prep Sports Writers Association, was not only one of the premier offensive lineman in Saint Ignatius' rich gridiron history, but also one of the finest Captains the program has ever produced.
Jack also saw time on the defensive line during his Varsity career after being a key two-way performer as a freshman and sophomore. This old gridiron grinder will always remember Jack's game-saving blocked kick at Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep on the freshmen level.
Trickett, who also excelled in Coach Mike McLaughlin's state and nationally acclaimed soccer program before devoting a full-time effort to football this past summer and fall, rewrote the Saint Ignatius record books, or "Cat Stats," if you will.
One of the premier kickers in the nation, Matt tied the school record for the longest field goal, set by Tim Shenk in 2011, by booming a 55-yard field goal in The Pit at Cincinnati Elder in Week 5 and came back two weeks later and sent home a Wildcats-best 59-yard field goal versus Canton GlenOak at Byers Field in Parma's Robert M. Boulton Stadium.
On the season, Matt also produced four field goals of 40 yards or more, including a 48-yard effort at Archbishop Hoban on opening night.
Matt, a first-team All-Northeast Lakes District selection and an Honorable Mention All-Ohio pick, kicked off 78 times for a total of 4,606 yards and 57 touchbacks. He punted 41 times for 1,531 yards, with a long of 61 yards and two others of 50-plus yards. His punts produced 16 fair catches and three touchbacks, and nine of them went inside the 20-yard line.
Garnering All-Area Honorable Mention from Cleveland.com were All-Northeast Lakes District and All-Ohio honorees, senior offensive tackle Darian Kinnard and senior wide receiver Sammy Snyder. Also receiving seven-county area Honorable Mention was one of the most underrated players in Northeast Ohio, Wildcats senior center Jivan Meguerditchian.
Kinnard, a two-year mainstay who also doubled as a defensive lineman this past season, is a University of Kentucky recruit. Darian will be playing for the East squad in the 18th anniversary of The U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl Presented by American Family Insurance is the nation's premier postseason high school all-star football game. It is scheduled for January 6, 2018 in San Antonio's Alamodome. The kickoff is slated for 12 PM CT and the game will be televised live nationally on NBC and live across the world to Soldiers deployed overseas in the U.S. Army.
Snyder, who developed into the Wildcats' go-to receiver, finished with 57 receptions for 959 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sammy, who was a key figure in the Varsity passing attack for the past two years, also returned 18 punts this past season for a total of 125 yards.
Meguerditchian, who consistently played at a high level, drew the praise of Saint Ignatius' outstanding Head Offensive Line Coach Adam Rini '99.
"Jivan grasped hold of the position and did a great job in getting everybody where they needed to be and setting up everything in pre-snap," Coach Rini said. "Whether it was run blocking or pass blocking, he was there doing his job."
The classroom in another place where Jivan excels. After he received one of the Great American Rivalry Series/ United States Marine Corps Student-Athlete Awards before the kickoff of this year's Saint Ignatius-St. Edward game in Lakewood Stadium, Jivan shared with this corner that he would like to attend Case Western Reserve University and major in Engineering. Jivan is also a member of the Wildcats' State Champion Rugby Program.
This corner congratulates these five outstanding young men and again thanks them for all of the class and kindness they expressed. It was a privilege and a pleasure to report on their special football careers for the Saint Ignatius Athletics Website.
Cleveland.com will release its All-Area Defensive Team on Tuesday.