Ohio City - After Monday's two-a-days on Wasmer Field, Saint Ignatius' gritty and talented senior quarterback John Thomas said he and his Wildcats teammates were in shock the entire weekend.

"I could not believe it," said Thomas, referring to the season-ending ankle injury suffered by fellow Saint Ignatius senior quarterback Pete Mahoney during Saturday's practice (See the corner's story from Sunday). Pete is expected to undergo surgery on Thursday.

"Coming off this morning (Monday's first session), it was kind of like a weird practice," said Thomas, who was competing with Mahoney for the starting role at the most celebrated position in Saint Ignatius' rich football history. "No one was energetic. It was like we were going through the motions."

Saint Ignatius' traditional energy finally cut through the somber mood during Monday's second session as the Wildcats, especially the seniors, rallied behind Thomas, or "JT," as John is known to his teammates.

Now the leader of the 2013 'Cats, John led the offense late Monday afternoon and evening, and the defense began to play with its familiar passion. Simply put, the Wildcats did just what Pete Mahoney, who was looking on from the sidelines on crutches, expected them do - play Saint Ignatius football.

"From a ball boy watching (quarterbacks) Brian Hoyer '04, Andrew Holland '09, Mark Myers '10 and those guys, I've been a Saint Ignatius football fan my whole life," said Thomas, the brother of former Wildcat All-Ohio tight end Blake Thomas '12, who is now a member of The Ohio State University Buckeyes. "My whole life, I was dreaming about being a Saint Ignatius quarterback. I'm ready for the challenge."

JT added that he is looking forward to tomorrow (Tuesday) morning's drill sessions against the always sound Solon Comets at Solon. The competition begins at 10 AM.

"I'm ready to go tomorrow," he said. "Playing with the first team for probably the whole day, it is going to be interesting to see how we do against a different defense. Hopefully we step up."

HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM MONDAY'S DOUBLE SESSION.

Defense

Big-game tested senior cornerback Scott Arthrell made a diving interception along the home sideline and senior safety Dan Jamieson and senior cornerbacks Jack Lavelle and Dan Filuta had aggressive ball-hawking pass breakups.

Offense

John Thomas got the Wildcats' vertical game flowing with a couple of impressive throws down the sideline, including one to senior Hunter Baker, who made an exceptional second-effort grab in the right corner of the Lorain Avenue end zone.

Senior wide receiver Bennett Kinzel made some tough contact receptions across the middle and junior quarterback Jake Kucia connected with Kinzel on a nice post or crossing pattern in the Lorain Avenue end zone. If the Wildcats' practices continue to feature TDs in the Lorain Avenue end zone, veteran Offensive Coordinator Nick Restifo is going to have to come up with a play named the RTA 22 Express. I wish I had $10 for every time I rode the old 22 Lorain.

The Lorain Avenue end zone was also the home of Monday's most unique play, a touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Dennis Grosel to fellow sophomore quarterback David Welcsh.

AND FOR THOSE WHO INQUIRED: Saint Ignatius' 2013 opener against Brother Rice on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Wayne State University is part of the seven-game Detroit Sports Commission Prep Kickoff Classic. Action begins with two games on Thursday, followed by three on Friday and two on Saturday.

The Wildcats and Brother Rice will kick off at 1:30 PM on the 31st and the second game that day will feature our friends from De La Salle (Warren, Michigan) against Toledo Central Catholic at 5 PM. Saint Ignatius and Toledo Central Catholic are the visiting teams.

Each competing team will receive an official Detroit Sports Commission Prep Kickoff Classic Award following its game and the Muscle Milk Most Outstanding Player Award will be presented to one member of each team.

See you at Solon tomorrow morning.